With the nomination period for the fall’s municipal election opening next week, potential candidates will have a chance to learn a thing or two about campaigning for office this afternoon.
The City of Abbotsford is hosting a “pre-nomination city council candidate orientation session” for those interested in running for mayor or councillor.
The session takes place today, August 29, from 3 to 4 p.m. on the fifth floor of Abbotsford City Hall, just down a hall from the offices of the current mayor and council. The session isn’t mandatory, but will provide information about the election process, the responsibilities of public office, the time commitment required. The session will also touch on the role of council and various jurisdictional issues that empower – and limit – local politicians.
Information is also available online.
A separate information session for those running for a seat on the Abbotsford School Board will be held Sept. 5 at 7 p.m. at the school board office.
The nominating period for the election opens Sept. 4 and closes Sept. 14. Candidates must be nominated by two people who are eligible to vote in the city.
Voting day is Oct. 20.
To run, a person must be at least 18 years old on voting day, and be a Canadian citizen who has lived in B.C. for at least six months.
For more information, click here.
Of course, candidates don’t have to wait until September to declare their candidacy. Already five people have declared they intend to seek a mayoral seat, while around a dozen have announced they will campaign for one of the eight council chairs.
If you are running for office, email newsroom@abbynews.com.
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The city is also hiring hundreds of workers to deliver services over the election period. Applications are available here.