A byelection is necessary to replace former Westlock County Coun. Maureen Kubinec after three men submitted nomination papers to run for the seat.
Once the nomination period closed at noon on May 28, Cal Busby, Herb Smerychynski and Jim Wiese had submitted their names to run in the June 25 election, according to county CAO Ed LeBlanc.
LeBlanc added that he felt having three people running is good for the county.
“The fact that there’s three, that would suggest there’s good representation,” he said.
Voters have two opportunities cast their ballots. The advanced poll will be held at the County Office on June 16, while the main poll will be on June 25.
Candidates have until noon on May 29 to formally withdraw their name from contention, LeBlanc said. Citing the Local Authorities Election Act, he said candidates could only withdraw if there are more than two running, which is the case here.
He added having a byelection is a rare occurrence in Westlock County. Since he started working with the county in 1986, this is the first one he remembers taking place.
