Slide Deck: Municipal Elections

Which issues are most important in the upcoming election and why Which issues are most important in the upcoming election and why? How can I learn about the election candidates? Which candidate(s) most align with my views?

Elections are contests of leadership, ideas, politics and power, where interested individuals campaign for our vote. Municipal elections provide citizens with an opportunity to discuss and debate the future direction of their community and choose their political representatives.

What is a candidate? An individual who seeks public office or competes for the job of a political representative is called a candidate At the federal level and the provincial level, most candidates are associated with a political party – however, at the municipal level, there are no political parties. Each candidate runs independently.

What is an electoral system What is an electoral system? Which system do we use for municipal elections?

An electoral system or voting system is the way in which voters are able to express their preferences and how the winners are determined. Different electoral systems exist around the world.

Electing Municipal Councils Council members can be elected in two ways: At-large – by all eligible voters in the municipality. By ward – where the municipality is broken down into smaller geographic areas that elect one or more representatives for each ward. The head of council (mayor or reeve) is elected at large.

Examples of Ward Systems

First-Past-the-Post Most municipalities in Manitoba use a system called First-Past-the-Post (FPTP). A successful candidate must receive the most votes in order to be elected in their area. In some cases, more than one candidate is elected. This is called a multi-member election. For example, if there are six council members elected at-large, the six candidates with the most number of votes are elected.

Acclamation The number of candidates running for a position can range from one to more than ten. If a candidate has no opponents, or if the number of candidates match the number of council seats to be filled, the candidate(s) win automatically and there is no election. This is called acclamation.

Becoming a Candidate To become a candidate in a municipal election in Manitoba, you must be: • a Canadian citizen • at least 18 years of age on election day • a resident of Manitoba • a voter in the municipality in which you are seeking office * to qualify as a voter you must be a resident or property owner in the municipality for at least six months before election day

How can I learn about the election candidates?

Getting to know the Candidates There are many ways to learn about the election candidates: Candidate websites or social media pages Candidate campaign literature Election coverage in the news (local newspapers, media websites, news broadcasts) Town halls or all-candidate debates in the community Campaign events Door-to-door canvassing when candidates knock on doors

Your Own Political Views Your political views are developed from your experiences, values, opinions and perspectives. Your views are also shaped by talking to people and listening to their opinions, following the news and reflecting on your values and what matters to you.

Final Thoughts Which election issue is most important to you personally and why? Has your view changed over the course of the election? Why or why not? Which candidate aligns with your views? Which candidate do you think will best address the issues that matter most to you? Explain your reasoning. Which candidate will you support and why? What do you think has shaped your political views the most? Why is it important to respect others’ viewpoints even if they are different from your own?