WESTLOCK — The Town of Westlock’s Nomination Day for the upcoming byelection is now less than a week away, and still no one other than mayoral candidate Jon Kramer, has put their name forward to run.
As of Thursday, Dec. 7, the town’s website had no additional names posted, prior to the Dec. 13 nomination deadline for the Jan. 10 2024 byelection.
CAO Simone Wiley confirmed in an email Dec. 5, that the town “has not received any new papers for the byelection.”
She also noted that once all nomination papers by candidates are filed and Nomination Day passes, and they are certain a byelection will be held, the location for the vote next month will be held at the Westlock and District Community Hall, in the Alberta Room.
Byelection hours will be the same as a general election, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and there will be no advance polls for the byelection.
“We are not planning an advance poll. We could but are not required to, as our population is below 5,000,” she said.
The Town of Westlock will update a list of candidates between now and Nomination Day and post names on their website, said Wiley, who provided details of the process should no other residents put their names forward for election.
“If no other nominations are submitted for mayor (Kramer) will be acclaimed,” explained Wiley. “If no nominations are submitted for councillor, then we close nominations on Dec. 13 at 12 p.m. as advertised and re-open them at 10 a.m. the following day until 12 p.m.”
The municipality would continue to do that for a period of six days, including Nomination Day (Monday to Friday only).
“If after day six, we still do not have a nomination, we then reach out to the Minister of Municipal Affairs for direction,” she added.
Wiley also noted in the email that a candidate’s name can be published and posted to their website, if they sign a waiver “allowing the municipality to release their name when they submit papers.” Should the Town receive papers and the waiver is signed the candidate's name will be posted.
Westlock residents will go to the polls Jan. 10, 2024 to elect a new mayor and one new councillor.
