The starting pistol fired today for the 2011 B.C. municipal elections.
Municipal offices have already been handing out nomination packages to residents since early September and the nomination period runs until Oct. 14.
There has been some early interest in Montrose and Rossland with several packages handed out.
While the mayors in Fruitvale and Warfield have announced that they’re stepping down, the mayors in Montrose, Rossland and Fruitvale intend to run for re-election.
As for the rest of the entries, which includes councillors and school trustees, the final field of candidates won’t be determined until the nomination period closes and packages are returned to the appropriate elections officer.
“Nothing is official until those packages come back,” says Rossland’s Corporate Officer Tracey Butler.
During the nomination window, interested candidates are required to complete the necessary paperwork to be eligible for the election.
The package includes declaration of candidate, official agent and reporting forms. A candidate also needs to be nominated by two people.
“Fill everything out, and when they bring it back we’ll go through it to make sure everything is filled out properly,” said Allana Ferro chief elections officer for Warfield.
Along with the nomination package an election guide is provided.
“It just gives everyone the details about what is involved. It talks about time commitments and the terms of office if they are elected,” added Ferro.
There are plenty of spots at stake in the upcoming election.
Trail’s council features one mayor and six councillors. In Rossland one mayor’s position as well as six councillors.
The Village of Fruitvale will elect a new mayor as well as four councillors. As well, a new mayor will be elected in Warfield along with four councillors. Montrose council also features one mayor and four councillors.
The Regional District of Kootenay Boundary has five electoral areas including the local ones Area A and Area B. Those two areas have one director’s spot available.
Six school trustee positions will also be up for election covering Trail (two positions), Rossland (one position), Warfield, which includes part of the RDKB’s Area B and Area J, (one position) and Fruitvale, which also includes Montrose and Area B, (two positions).
The municipal election is set for Nov. 19. Advanced voting will be available Nov. 9 and Nov. 16.
For more information on the election process visit you local municipal office.