General Information

Municipal elections take place every four years in Nova Scotia. Elections will take place this year in October 2024.

Municipal Council confirmed that residents of the Municipality of the District of St Mary’s will be able to vote electronically, which means eligible voters can vote on the Internet or by phone (cell phone or landline). Voting will be available 24 hours per day starting October 8 and running until October 19, 2024. You can vote anytime from anywhere during that time! There will be no paper ballots but voters who need help with electronic voting will be able to get help from municipal staff on the phone or in person. Eligible voters will receive a personalized voter letter with all instructions in the mail before voting begins.

Voters will be electing their district municipal councillor for the next four years. There are five election districts in St. Mary’s to be selected this election. Applicable, eligible residents will also be able to choose a member of the Conseil scolaire acadien provincial.

Part of the help that eligible voters will be able to receive from municipal staff will be to check if they are on the voter list or to be added to the voter list. The public will be notified via advertisements in newspapers, the municipal website and Facebook once registration is ready to begin. This is expected in July 2024.

St. Mary’s operates under a warden system vs a mayor. Wardens are selected by council after the election. As such, wardens are not selected on the ballot.

Election District Maps for the 2024 Election

A municipal district boundary review was completed in 2022. As a result of the review, there will be five new municipal districts to elect council members for in 2024. This will replace the current seven districts. For more information please see the  pdf Municipal Electoral Boundary Review - full Report (21.85 MB) .

General qualifications to vote in the Election

1. You must be 18 years or older on the first polling day (October 8, 2024)
2. You must be a Canadian citizen on the first polling day (October 8, 2024)
3. You must have been an "ordinarily resident" (meaning you have lived in Nova Scotia) for at least six months immediately preceding the first polling day (May 8, 2024)
4. You must be a resident of The Municipality of the District of St Mary’s since immediately before the first polling day (October 8, 2024)

General qualifications to run for Council

Please note: It is essential that all candidates review the following qualifications and fully understand their eligibility with respect to all of the following:

1. You must be 18 years of age at the time of nomination
2. You must be a Canadian citizen
3. You must have been an "ordinarily resident" (meaning your primary residence is in the Municipality of the District of St Mary’s) for six months before nomination day (by March 10), and continue to do so
4. You must have obtained a certificate that, as of nomination day (September 10), confirms that the charges that are liens on your property and the taxes due to the Municipality have been fully paid or all installments or interim payments that are due as of nomination day have been paid (certificates will be provided during nomination meetings)
5. You are not disqualified under the Municipal Election Act

Candidate Resources

2024 Candidate Guide.

The 2024 Candidate Guide will be available in early June

Legislation

• Municipal Government Act
• Municipal Election Act 

Contact Information

Municipal staff supporting the election:

Interim Municipal Clerk and 2024 Assistant Returning Officer
Jadzia Graham
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902 522 2496

Receptionist/Cashier and 2024 Assistant Returning Officer
Melanie Mills
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902 522 2049

Chief Administrative Officer and 2024 Election Returning Officer
Doug Patterson
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902 522 2432

Please note: Doug Patterson shall be the key contact for candidates and persons who have questions or need support to become a candidate.