‘Brandon Votes’ 2018 Municipal Election Website Now Live

Brandon, MB – An online resource for all things related to this fall’s municipal election is now available to the public, with today’s relaunch of www.brandonvotes.ca by the City of Brandon’s Legislative Services Department and the Office of the City Clerk.

The community of Brandon elects its mayor, councillors and school board trustees on October 24th, 2018.

The campaign registration period for mayoral candidates began May 1st, 2018, while the campaign registration period for individuals interested in a city councillor position begins June 30th, 2018 (with July 3rd, 2018 being the first business day to file following the Canada Day long weekend.) Potential school board trustee candidates, meanwhile, are required to register during the nomination period of September 12th to 18th, 2018, with trustee candidate information packages anticipated to be available for interested individuals by mid-August.

While candidate activity is currently relatively quiet, City of Brandon Senior Elections Official Melanie Powers encourages all members of the public to visit the Brandon Votes website and familiarize themselves with the municipal election process and the key dates along the way. Of particular interest to prospective mayor and councillor candidates will be sections detailing how to register as a candidate, how to navigate the registration and nomination process, and a listing of all the important campaign finance rules imposed by the Province of Manitoba.

“Municipal elections are an opportunity for Brandon residents to participate in building a strong, healthy and sustainable local government, and the Brandon Votes website is a valuable resource for potential candidates and voters alike,” notes Powers. “Currently, candidates and voters can visit the site to learn what eligibility requirements exist to either run or vote, and as we get closer to the fall election, we’ll be posting information about registered candidates, providing up-to-date information about advance voting opportunities and Election Day voting places, and sharing any other pertinent information with the electorate.”

Powers adds of particular importance in these summer months is the process of updating the official Voters List. Even if an individual has been on a past Voters List, but either rents their home, is new to Brandon or has changed addresses recently, they are encouraged to call 204-729-2236 or email brandonvotes@brandon.ca to ensure their name is on the list.  Revisions will be made to the Voters List until September 18th, 2018.

Powers also encourages residents who are new to Brandon or who have never voted in past municipal elections to ensure they meet voter eligibility requirements, which can be found on the Brandon Votes website at http://brandonvotes.ca/elector-info/voter-eligibility.

Other unique features of the Brandon Votes website include a section that answers Frequently Asked Questions about the upcoming Brandon municipal election, as well as a calendar of key dates and a “Countdown to E-Day” clock. Applications from those interested in working as an elections official can also be submitted directly through the website here.

The Brandon Votes website will also carry live, up-to-the-minute results of the mayoral, councillor and school trustee races following the close of polls on October 24th.