For Candidates

The role of City Council is to represent the people of St. John's by making decisions that benefit the greater good of residents. By doing this, our City evolves as a better place to live, work and visit.

Consider the following:

• Leadership: You will work closely with residents, business owners, committees and boards. A strong leader is a team player.
• Innovative: You are able to understand the operations of the City and, when needed, present new, improved and fiscally responsible ways of doing things.
• Visionary: You can see the potential the City holds to become a sought after location to live, do business, and visit.
• Business: St. John's as a municipality is like a business. Knowledge of balancing a multimillion-dollar budget is necessary.
• Honesty and Transparency: The City provides access to information and values openness with the public.
• Dedicated: This will not be a 9-5 job. You will be accountable to the organization and the constituents.

Those interested in pursuing election are encouraged to review legislation which governs all aspects of the City of St. John's Municipal Election.

Candidates Guide to St. John's Municipal Election 

Eligibility

To seek election for a position on council, you must be:

• 18 years of age at the time of nomination
• A Canadian citizen
• Ordinarily a resident in the city for 30 days immediately preceding the nomination period

You cannot be indebted to the City of St. John's for arrears of taxes or other charges payable to the city, otherwise disqualified under the Municipal Elections Act.

Nomination Process

• First, ensure you are eligible and not otherwise disqualified according to the Municipal Election Act, Section 15.
• Candidates for Ward Councillor must have two nominators who are eligible to vote and reside in the ward in which they intent to seek election. At-Large, Mayoral and Deputy Mayoral Candidates need two nominators who are eligible to vote and reside in the City of St. John's.
• Candidates must request a nomination appointment with the Election Coordinator by email at election@stjohns.ca or by phone at 709-576-3158. Candidates have 24 hours after the close of nominations to withdraw their nomination.
• Candidates must complete and submit a Clearance Certificate Request to the election coordinator a minimum of 2 business days before their nomination appointment to allow time to process the request.
• Candidates must pay a $50 nomination fee at Access St. John's, located on the first floor of City Hall and collect their receipt. Candidates will need to email a copy to election@stjohns.ca or bring it to the nomination appointment to verify that it has been paid in full.
• Candidates, their nominators and official agent (if applicable), must attend the nomination appointment to file the official paperwork.
• Upon fulfilling the requirements above, candidates will be given a map and access to an online voters list applicable to the office in which they are seeking election.

Forms

• Appointment of Official Agent: use this form to appoint an agent to your campaign
• Clearance Certificate Request: use this form to request clearance of taxes or fees owing to the City of St. John's
• Declaration of Qualification of Candidate: use this form to declare you are qualified and not otherwise disqualified from seeking candidacy in a City of St. John's Municipal Election
• Nomination Form: use this form to be nominated for a City of St. John's Municipal Election
• Nomination Form – Not Present: use this form to be nominated for a City of St. John's Municipal Election if the candidate is unable to attend the nomination appointment
• Oath or Affirmation of Secrecy: use this form to affirm that any and all information received from the Voters List will be used solely for the purpose of the municipal election and will not otherwise be used or shared. Election NL's Schedule B Oath of Secrecy form also needs to be completed. 

• Oath or Affirmation - Campaign Contributions and Expenses Disclosure: This form is required to report campaign contributions and expenses within 30 days after the election regardless of if you were elected or not.  

• Official Candidate Contact Information Form

Campaign finances

Campaign finances are subject to PART VIII of the Municipal Election Act and the City's Election Finance By-Law.

Expenditures, contributions and reporting must be in accordance with the legislation. The onus is on the candidate to ensure legislative compliance. The City of St. John's does not provide legal or financial advice to candidates.

Monetary contributions are pursuant to section 67.2 of the Municipal Election Act and shall be made only by a cheque, money order or credit card in the name of the contributor.

All campaign contributions must be reported pursuant to the Election Finance By-Law within 30 days of the election. Contributions exceeding $100 must also disclose the contributor.

Campaign limits

• The limit for a financial contribution considered a “donation” is $100.
• Corporate and union donations are capped to 50% of the total allowable contributions for the 2021 Election. Beginning in the 2025 Election, any/all corporate and union donations will be prohibited.
• Individual, corporate and trade union donations are no more than $1,000.
• Contributions can only be made to a candidate within the calendar year of the election.
• Disclosure of campaign contributions and expenditures is 30 days post-election.
• Expenditures in addition to contributions are required to be disclosed.

*Actual amounts are determined based on the final number of registered voters on election day.