Aspiring local politicians can officially throw their hat into the ring, as the nomination period for this fall’s municipal election opened on Monday morning.
“Running for Guelph city council, or a school trustee position, is a great way to make a difference in the community,” said Stephen O’Brien, city clerk, in a news release. “Council members help foster an open municipal democratic process, build trust in local government and represent community interests through council decisions.”
The first person registered for the election was Thai Mac for Ward 1, O’Brien confirmed via email.
Mayor Cam Guthrie and several sitting councillors previously told GuelphToday they plan to seek re-election this fall and Ward 1’s Coun. Bob Bell announced he will not be running.
City council consists of a mayor and 12 councillors, with two elected from each of the city’s six wards.
The Oct. 24 municipal election will also see trustees for four school boards on the ballot. That includes four trustees for Wellington Catholic School Board and one each for Conseil scolaire Viamonde and Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir, along with five for the Upper Grand District School Board (two from wards 1 and 5 combined, two from wards 2, 3 and 4 combined, and one from Ward 6 and Puslinch combined).
For a list of registered candidates, visit vote.guelph.ca/candidates/registered-candidates.
The nomination period for the Oct. 24 municipal election began on Monday. Anyone interested in seeking a position on council during the next term has until 2 p.m. on Aug. 19 to file the necessary paperwork with the city clerk’s office.
Nomination packages are available digitally at guelph.ca/vote and in person at the ServiceGuelph counter at city hall.
Aspiring city council members must submit 25 endorsements with their nomination paperwork, as well as a $200 fee to run for mayor and $100 for councillor or school board trustee.
Identification showing name and a qualifying Guelph address is also required.
Candidates can learn more about running for city council or school board trustee by watching pre-recorded candidate information videos at guelph.ca/vote.
In addition to voting locations on Oct. 24, ballots can be cast at advanced polls set to run Oct. 8 to 10 and 14 to 16. A vote by mail option will also be available and the city is running a pilot vote-from-home initiative for those who qualify.
