2025 Municipal Election

Learn more about election processes using resources from Wheatland County, Alberta Municipal Affairs, and the Local Authorities Election Act.

County policies, bylaws, guides, and tools

• Strategic Plan
• Municipal Development Plan
• Land Use Bylaw
• 2025 Council Calendar
• Council Boards and Committees
• Wheatland County Electoral Boundaries Bylaw 2024-18
• Policies
• Bylaws
• Financials
• Operating and Capital Budgets
• County Maps
• Community Profile  

Election forms

• Nomination Information Package – Forms 4 and 5  
• Campaign Disclosure form

Other resources and events

• Municipal Government Act
• Roles and Responsibilities of Municipal Officials
• Pecuniary Interest for Municipal Councillors
• What Every Councillor Needs to Know!
• Local Authorities Election Act (LAEA)
• Local Authorities Election Forms Regulation
• LAEA implementation fact sheets

Candidate Campaign & Disclosure Statements (January 1 – July 31)

• • Shannon Laprise: Division1
  • Berle Hebbes: Division 2
  • Jason Wilson: Division 2
  • Darlene Davis: Division 3
  • Donna Biggar: Division 3
  • Keith Clayton: Division 4
  • Thomas Ikert: Division 4
  • Scott Klassen: Division 5
  • Rodger Brndjar: Division 5
  • Tony Watfa: Division 6
  • Rex Harwood: Division 6
  • Glenn Koester: Division 6
  • Rick Laursen: Division 7
  • Cade Treacy: Division 7

Campaign Finances

All candidates should check the Local Authorities Election Act for complete details on campaign finances.

• A person can contribute $5,000 per candidate, per calendar year, during the campaign period. A person can contribute to as many candidates as they like.
• Candidates can self-fund up to $10,000 per campaign period.
• A corporation, Alberta trade union, or Alberta employee organization can contribute a maximum of $5,000, per candidate, during the election campaign.
• If more than $50,000 is received or spent, a chartered accountant must review the financial statements before submission to the municipality or school board.
• Candidates may retain any surplus amount under $1,000. Any amount over $1,000 must be donated to a registered charity.  Local jurisdictions will no longer hold campaign surpluses.

Candidates Duties During the Campaign

• Issue receipts for every contribution. A receipt must include:
  1. Date of contribution;
  2. Name of individual contributor;
  3. Address of individual contributor; and
  4. Amount contributed.
• Obtain receipts for every expense;
• Open a campaign account at a financial institution when contributions exceed $1,000;
• When a campaign account is opened, place all contributions into the account;
• Use money for payment of campaign expenses only;
• Do not accept contributions from people outside of Alberta;
• Do not accept contributions from corporations and unincorporated organizations;
• Do not accept contributions from trade unions and employee organizations; and
• Do not work with third parties to avoid contribution or expense limits.
• File a campaign disclosure statement by September 30 of a year in which a general election is to be held. a candidate who has received contributions in the period beginning on January 1 and ending on July 31 of that year must file a disclosure statement in respect of that period.

After the Election

After the election, all candidates are required to follow these rules: 

• Keep records of contributions and expenses for 3 years after the disclosure statement deadline;
• File a campaign disclosure statement by March 1 after the election;
• If you have expenses or contributions of $50,000 or more, file a review engagement with the disclosure statement;
• Within 60 days of filing a disclosure statement, candidates can retain surplus amounts under $1,000. Amounts of $1,000 and more must be donated to a registered charity;
• Eliminate campaign deficits 60 days after filing a disclosure statement; and
• File an amended disclosure statement within 30 days after the 60-day period showing any surplus or deficit has been dealt with according to LAEA requirements.

Note: The information on this website is provided for the convenience of reference only. Candidates are subject to further requirements in the Local Authorities Election Act.

Candidates are advised to refer to the LAEA and obtain legal advice regarding the full extent of their obligations.

Important dates

• Election signs can be displayed starting 12 p.m. on Monday, September 22, 2025 (Nomination Day).
• All election signs must be removed within 72 hours after the election.
• Candidates are prohibited from using County branding, such as our logo, as part of their campaigning literature/signage.

What makes a sign an election sign?

As per Wheatland County’s Land Use Bylaw 2016-01, Section 7.18.4 (i): an Election Sign is defined as a temporary sign used to promote a candidate, political party, plebiscite or referendum during a County, school board, provincial, federal election or special referendum or plebiscite ballot held pursuant to the Local Authorities Election Act.

Other legal means of advertising, such as in the newspaper, or through social media, t-shirts, and other printed materials such as door knockers, door hangers, brochures and pamphlets, also do not constitute signage.

How are signs regulated and were do election signs fit in?

Regulations in the County’s Land Use Bylaw aim to provide for an orderly, safe, and efficient environment for our residents.

Wheatland County’s typical regulations and approval processes for signs would be overly prescriptive during a municipal election, and the County recognizes that. Therefore, the Land Use Bylaw 2016-01 states:

• Section 7.18.6 (d): Election signs that meet the requirements of the Local Authorities Election Act do not require a permit from Wheatland County.
• Section 7.18.7 – General Provisions:
  • (n) All election signage must comply with the provincial guidelines for election signs.
  • (o) Campaign signs for County (municipal) and School Board elections are allowed on private property, to a maximum of two (2) signs per lot provided that:
    • i. Such signs are removed within 72 hours after the polls close on Election Day. Candidates must ensure that the site is returned to its previous condition (holes are filled) and any items supporting the sign such as any supporting structures and/or wiring are removed from the property; and
    • ii. The authorization of the property owner is obtained prior to the signs being placed. Candidates are responsible to keep signs in a neat and clean appearance, and ensure that they are securely erected.

Candidates should refer to the details on the Election Sign Acknowledgment Form within the Nomination Information Package for a full and complete list of regulations regarding election signage.

Election Sign Acknowledgement Form

To assist candidates in understanding election sign requirements, Wheatland County has provided guidelines and important dates within the Election Sign Acknowledgment Form. This form can be found in the Nomination Information Package.

Candidates who wish to post election signs within Wheatland County must ensure they have read and signed this form. Completed Election Sign Acknowledgment Forms must be submitted via:

• Mail: Wheatland County, 242006 Range Road 243, HWY 1 RR 1, Strathmore AB T1P 1J6
• Email: admin@wheatlandcounty.ca
• After hours drop-box: Dropped off at the Administration Office drop box located to the left of the main doors at 242006 Range Road 243

Questions?

Candidates or residents who have questions about election campaign signage can contact Wheatland County by emailing planninganddevelopment@wheatlandcounty.ca or protectiveservices@wheatlandcounty.ca, or by calling 403-361-2026.

Further information for candidates will be available in early 2025.