Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

General

What is the date of the election?

Election day is Wednesday, October 26, 2022 from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Why is an election being held?

An election is being held to elect the offices of Mayor, Councillor and School Trustee in the City of Winnipeg.

Where can I get information on becoming a candidate for Mayor, Councillor or School Trustee?

Mayor and Councillor candidate guides are available from the City Clerk's Department, Susan A. Thompson Building, 510 Main Street.

Employment opportunities

How can I apply to work the election?

Opportunities exist for persons eighteen years of age or older, to work as an Election Officer during Advance Voting (October 3-21, 2022) and on Election Day (October 26, 2022).

More information regarding election officer positions is available on the Work as an Election Officer webpage.

Candidate registration

What do I need to do to run for office?

Persons seeking election for either Mayor or Councillor must file their registration form and nomination papers, in person with the Senior Election Official, before their name can appear on the ballot.

Persons seeking election for School Trustee must file their nomination papers, in person with the Senior Election Official, before their name can appear on the ballot. There is no registration period for School Trustee candidates.

More detailed information is available in the Candidate’s Guide and the Campaign and Expenses Contributions Guide.

Where can I get a registration form?

Registration forms are available on the candidate registration webpages, as well as from the Campaign Expenses and Contribution Guide.

When and where can I register as a candidate?

The registration period for candidates for Mayor begins Sunday, May 1, 2022 and ends Tuesday, September 20, 2022.

The registration period for Councillor candidates begins Thursday, June 30, 2022 and ends Tuesday, September 20, 2022.

Registration must be done in person with the Senior Election Official, City Clerk's Department, Susan A. Thompson Building, 510 Main Street, during regular business hours.

Candidate campaign period

When can a person start accepting contributions or incur campaign expenses?

A person seeking to be a candidate for Mayor or Councillor can begin accepting campaign contributions and may incur campaign expenses only after they have filed their registration form.

There is no legislation regulating campaign contributions or expenses for school trustee candidates.

Who can contribute to a candidate?

Individuals who reside in Manitoba can contribute to candidates for Mayor and/or Councillor.

There is no legislation regulating campaign contributions for school trustee candidates.

What is the maximum amount that can be contributed to a candidate?

The maximum amount that can be contributed per individual to a candidate for Mayor is $1,500.00.

The maximum amount that can be contributed per individual to a candidate for Councillor is $750.00.

There is no legislation regulating campaign contributions for candidates for School Trustee.

Can a candidate contribute to their own election campaign?

Candidates for Mayor and Councillor can make a contribution to their own campaign but the contribution limit of $1,500.00 for Mayor and $750.00 for Councillor applies to the candidate and their spouse.

There is no legislation regulating campaign contributions for school trustee candidates.

When does the campaign period begin and end?

The Campaign Period for candidates for Mayor begins on Sunday, May 1, 2022 and ends March 31, 2023.

The Campaign Period for candidates for Councillor begins on Thursday, June 30, 2022 and ends on March 31, 2023.

There is no legislation defining a campaign period for school trustee candidates.

Candidate nominations

When can a candidate file their nomination paper?

Candidates can file their nomination papers, in person, with the Senior Election Official during business hours beginning Wednesday, September 14, 2022. The deadline for filing nomination papers is 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, September 20, 2022. Appointments are recommended and should be made in advance. Please contact elections@winnipeg.ca for additional information.

How many signatures are required to nominate a candidate?

Candidates for Mayor must have a minimum of 250 signatures of voters whose names appear on the voters list.

Candidates for Councillor must have a minimum of 25 signatures of voters whose names appear on the voters list for the council ward in which they are seeking election.

Candidates for School Trustee must have a minimum of 25 signatures of voters whose names appear on the voters list for the school division ward in which they are seeking election.

Contribution Rebates

Can I get a rebate for a contribution made to a candidate for Mayor and/or Councillor?

Yes. Contributors (including registered candidates) are eligible to receive a rebate.

Rebates will be mailed out commencing in the fall of 2023. A rebate is payable only if the candidate has filed an audited financial statement and complied with all by-law requirements.

How do I get a rebate for a contribution made to a candidate for Mayor and/or Councillor?

To receive a rebate, the contributor must complete the Contribution Rebate Application form (provided to them by the candidate) and mail it to:

City Clerk's Department
Susan A. Thompson Building,
510 Main Street, Winnipeg, R3B 1B9

To view the governing legislation for rebate applications, please see the Rebate Of Election Contributions By-Law No. 9/2010.

Can I get an income tax receipt for a contribution made to a Mayor and/or Councillor candidate?

No. Contributions made to candidates are not tax-deductible.

Candidate campaign signs

When can candidates erect their campaign signs?

Candidates can erect campaign signage on public property beginning Saturday, September 3, 2022.

All signs must comply with applicable requirements. For additional information, please reference the Candidate’s Guide.

Can a candidate advertise or campaign on the day of the election.

Yes. A candidate can advertise or campaign on the day of the election.

Where can I report a campaign sign that is in violation of a by-law?

Violations can be reported by contacting 311.

Voter eligibility

Who can vote for Mayor and Councillor?

Persons may vote for Mayor / Councillor, if they meet the following eligibility criteria:

  • a Canadian citizen; and
  • 18 years of age or older on Election Day, October 26, 2022; and
  • an actual resident or registered owner of land in the City of Winnipeg as listed in the City of Winnipeg Assessment Roll for a period of at least six months (since April 26, 2022).

Who can vote for School Trustee?

A person who is a resident of the school division is eligible to vote if they are:

  • a Canadian citizen
  • 18 years old or older on Election Day, October 26, 2022
  • a resident of the school division since April 26, 2022
  • an actual resident of the school division ward on Election Day, October 26, 2022.

Voters List

How is the voters list prepared?

The City of Winnipeg uses the National Register of Electors, compiled by Elections Canada, as the basis for the voters list.

How do I get my name on the voters list?

The City of Winnipeg's Voters List is now closed. The deadline for adding names to the voters list was 4: 30 p.m., Wednesday, August 31, 2022.

Can I still vote if my name is not on the voters list?

Yes. If you meet the voter eligibility criteria but your name is not on the voters list, you can still vote by presenting your identification and taking an oath at the voting place.

Are copies of the voters list available to the public?

No. Copies of the voters list are not available to the public.

Voter's notice

What is a voter’s notice?

A voter’s notice is notification that an election is taking place and provides the date, time and place where the person is to vote. Voter’s notices will be mailed to individuals on the voters list in early October 2022.

My (wife, husband, son, daughter, neighbour, etc.) received a voter’s notice, but I did not. Why not?

Voter’s notices are not always delivered the same day and may yet arrive within the next day or two. A voter’s notice is not required in order to vote.

I did not receive a voter’s notice. Does this mean I cannot vote?

A voter's notice is not necessary in order to vote, providing you meet the voter eligibility requirements. At the voting place, you will be required to present ID and take an oath prior to voting.

Eligible voters who did not received a voter’s notice are encouraged to check their voting location online at winnipeg.ca/wheredoivote.

A voter’s notice with my former address has been forwarded to me. Do I still vote at the voting place shown on the card?

All advance voting locations are open to all eligible voters across the City, no matter where they reside. However, Election Day voting locations are tied to a voter’s current address and they must vote at the voting place assigned to their voting subdivision.

I received a voter’s notice for someone who does not live at my address. What should I do?

Bring the voter’s notice with you to your voting place and let the election officer know that the person identified on the voter’s notice does not reside at your address.

This will be noted and the individual's name will be removed from the voters list.

My name is incorrect or spelled incorrectly on the voter’s notice. What should I do?

Bring the notice with you to your voting place and let the election officer know that your name is incorrect or spelled incorrectly. You will be asked to take an oath prior to voting in order to correct your name on the voters list.

I received two voter’s notices in my name. Can I vote twice?

No. Individuals may only vote once. Bring both notices with you to your voting place and let the election officer know that you received two.

This will be noted and the duplicate entry will be removed from the voters list.

I will require assistance to fill in my ballot. Can I bring someone with me?

All election officers have taken an oath of secrecy and can assist a voter who requires assistance in the voting booth. However, if a voter would prefer to have a friend, relative, etc. help them, that person must take an oath at the voting location and will then be permitted to assist. The person assisting is only permitted to help a maximum of two voters in total in this election.

Voting places

How does a person find out where to vote?

A person whose name appears on the voters list will receive a voter’s notice in the mail identifying their closest voting place.

Eligible voters who did not received a voter’s notice are encouraged to check their voting location online at winnipeg.ca/wheredoivote.

Are voting places accessible for persons with disabilities?

Yes. All voting places are accessible.

Scrutineers

Where can I get information on scrutineers?

A scrutineer is a representative of the candidate who is appointed to observe election proceedings.

Additional information on scrutineers is available in the Candidate’s Guide and on the scrutineers webpage.

Voting

Do I need identification to vote?

Yes. Voters will be required to provide proof of their name and current address by showing identification.

What types of identification will be accepted at the voting place?

A valid driver's license as well as an enhanced identification card will be accepted. In the absence of a driver's license or enhanced identification card, any two documents that together show the person's name and current address will also be accepted.

Additional information on acceptable forms of ID is available on the ID requirements webpage.

Can I still vote if my name is not on the voters list?

Yes, provided you meet all eligibility requirements to vote. At the voting place, you will be required to present identification and take an oath prior to voting.

I recently turned 18 or will be 18 years old on the day of the election. Can I vote?

Yes, provided you meet the eligibility of a voter. At the voting place, you will be required to present identification and take an oath prior to voting.

I recently moved within the city. Can I vote?

Yes, provided you meet the eligibility of a voter.

I own land in one school division but reside in another school division. Am I eligible to vote for school trustee in both school divisions?

No. You are only eligible to vote for the candidate in the school division ward where you are an actual resident.

I recently moved into a new school division. Can I vote for school trustee?

You are only eligible to vote for School Trustee if you have lived in the new school division for at least six months (since April 26, 2022).

Will the voting machine read a spoiled ballot?

The voting machine will return a spoiled ballot to the voter. The voter then has the option of remarking their ballot. If a voter does not wish to remark their ballot, the ballot will be inserted into the voting machine.

Can I get time off work to vote?

There is no requirement for employers to provide employees with time off to vote in a civic election.

If an employee's work schedule does not allow them time to vote on Election Day, they should take advantage of advance voting opportunities or vote by sealed envelope ballot.

Can someone vote on my behalf/by proxy?

No.

How can I vote if I am not able to physically attend a voting location?

Arrangements can be made to vote by sealed envelope ballot.

Advance voting

Who can vote at advance voting?

Advance voting is open to all eligible voters, with the exception of voters who have applied to omit or obscure their information from the voters list, as well as anyone who has submitted a Sealed Envelope Ballot application.

I am unable to physically attend a voting location. Is there any other way I can vote?

Yes. Arrangements can be made to vote by sealed envelope ballot.

Voting by sealed envelope ballot

What is voting by sealed envelope ballot?

Voting by Sealed Envelope Ballot is a provision by which a voter can submit an application to receive an election ballot package mailed to them. The voter then marks the ballot and returns it in a sealed envelope to the Senior Election Official prior to the close of voting on Wednesday, October 26, 2022.

*Please be advised that the City of Winnipeg uses Canada Post for delivery of sealed envelope ballot packages. It is the responsibility of the elector to ensure ample time for delivery.

Standard Canada Post delivery times are:

  • 2 business days (local)
  • 3 business days (within the province)
  • 4 business days (national).

For all other delivery time frames, please visit the Canada Post website.

Who can vote by sealed envelope ballot?

Eligible voters are permitted to vote by sealed envelope ballot if they are unable to go in person to a voting station due to a disability (including health risks), are providing care to a person who is unable to leave their home, or expect that on Election Day and the day or days of Advance Voting, they will be absent from their local authority, or, at a location so significantly distant from the location that they are eligible to vote at that it is not reasonably possible to vote at that location.

Where can I get an application to vote by sealed envelope ballot?

Applications for voting by sealed envelope ballot  will be available online as of Thursday, July 28, 2022, as well as in person from the City Clerk's Department, Susan A. Thompson Building, 510 Main Street, as of Wednesday, September 28, 2022.

What is the deadline for applying to vote by sealed envelope ballot?

Applications received by Friday, October 14, 2022, will receive a Sealed Envelope package in the mail. After this date, you must make alternate arrangements with the City Clerk's Department for the Sealed Envelope package to be delivered to you. All applications must be received by 4:30 p.m. Sunday, October 23, 2022.

Marking the ballot

How is the order of names on the ballot determined?

After the close of nominations, a random draw is held to determine the order of names to appear on the ballot.

How do I mark the ballot?

To mark the ballot, the voter must fill in the circle next to their candidate of choice with the special marker provided in the voting compartment.

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