Voting & Elections

Serving on Council is an opportunity to represent your community, make important local decisions, and help shape the future of Altona.

Before You Decide to Run

Being a member of Council is a rewarding responsibility. Members of Council are expected to:

• Attend regular Council and committee meetings.
• Review reports and make informed decisions.
• Represent the interests of the community.
• Help establish priorities for municipal services, infrastructure, and community initiatives.
• Work collaboratively with fellow Council members and Town Administration.

Candidate Eligibility

To run for Mayor or Councillor, you must meet the eligibility requirements established under The Municipal Councils and School Boards Elections Act. In general, candidates must:

• Be at least 18 years of age on Election Day.
• Be a Canadian citizen.
• Be a resident of Manitoba.
• Be eligible to vote in the Town of Altona.
• Meet all other requirements established by provincial legislation.

Candidate Registration

Anyone planning to run for Mayor or Councillor must register before accepting campaign contributions or incurring campaign expenses.

Registration Dates

• Mayor: Registration opens May 1, 2026
• Council: Registration opens June 30, 2026

Candidate registration packages are available online or may be picked up at the Town of Altona Civic Centre during regular office hours.

Each registration package includes:

• Candidate Registration Form
• Candidate Nomination Form
• Campaign expenses and Contributions By-law
• Use of Municipal Resources in an Election By-law
• The 2026 Candidates Guidebook from the Province of Manitoba

Nomination Period

Candidates must submit their completed nomination papers during the official nomination period:

September 16–22, 2026

Nomination papers must be filed with the Senior Election Official before the close of nominations.

Campaign Information

Candidates are encouraged to conduct respectful and positive campaigns while complying with all applicable legislation and municipal by-laws.

Campaign rules include:

• Campaign advertising
• Election signage
• Campaign contributions
• Campaign expenses
• Financial reporting requirements

Contact the Senior Election Official

If you have questions about becoming a candidate, candidate registration, nomination papers, or the municipal election process, please contact:

Jake Bergen
Senior Election Official

Phone: 204-324-7693
Email:bergenj42@gmail.com

In order to be eligible to vote, a person must be:

• at least 18 years old
• A Canadian Citizen
• a resident of the Town of Altona for at least six (6) months immediately prior to the date of the Election OR the actual registered owner of property in the Town of Altona, for at least the SIX (6) month period immediately prior to the date of the election.

Any person who is temporarily absent from the Town of Altona (eg. study purposes, extended vacation), has not established Permanent Residency elsewhere, and has not been placed on an electors list in another municipality in Manitoba is eligible to vote, provided that they otherwise meet the above requirements.

Any person who is eligible to vote (see “Am I Eligible to Vote?”) in municipal elections in the Local Authority of the Town of Altona can have their name added to the Voters List, or have any information about the voter on the Voters List corrected.

Any person can request to have their name and address obscured from the Voters List. A person whose name has been obscured will receive a Personal Security Certificate and identification number. In a civic election, that person may only vote by Sealed Envelope Ballot and cannot vote in person at the regular or advance voting places.