Becoming a Candidate 2018 Municipal Election Updated August 23, 2018 toronto.ca/elections
Presentation Outline • City Clerk’s responsibilities and guiding principles • New ward structure and maps • Key dates • Filing a nomination • Changing wards or office • Contributions and campaign expenses • Finances and record keeping • MyCampaign and EFFS • Contribution Rebate Program • Voters’ list • Election signs • Canvassing and scrutineers toronto.ca/elections
City Clerk’s Responsibilities • Conduct the election in accordance with the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 and all other relevant legislation • Establish forms, policies and procedures • Set voting places • Make the election accessible • Administer the City’s Contribution Rebate Program toronto.ca/elections
Guiding Principles • Voters and candidates shall be treated fairly and consistently • Secrecy and confidentiality of the voting places is paramount • Election shall be fair and must not favour one candidate over another • Election shall be accessible to voters • Integrity of the process shall be maintained throughout the election • Proper majority vote decides the elections, which is achieved by ensuring that valid votes be counted and invalid votes be rejected toronto.ca/elections
New Ward Structure • The City Clerk administers the election for 65 offices Mayor 25 Councillors 39 School Board Trustees (across 4 school boards) • The Better Local Government Act, 2018 passed on August 14, 2018 and reduces the number of Toronto wards from 47 to 25 for the October 22 election • The new 25 ward boundaries align with current federal and provincial electoral ridings • Each school board has realigned their wards to fit into this new 25 ward structure toronto.ca/elections
25 Ward Structure toronto.ca/elections
City Wards • Electors can look up their ward (and who their local candidates are) by using MyVote www.toronto.ca/elections/myvote • An interactive ward map is available online: Can select layers for 25, 44, and 47 ward models http://map.toronto.ca/maps/map.jsp?app=TorontoMaps_v2 • City ward maps that show voting locations and boundaries will be available on September 4 toronto.ca/elections
School Board Wards School board wards have new boundaries that align with the 25 ward model. • New maps are on the website T oronto District School Board Toronto Catholic District School Board Conseil scolaire Viamonde Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir • Quick reference chart to view corresponding City wards toronto.ca/elections
Key Dates • • Extended nomination period: Election Day: August 20 – September 14 at 2 p.m. October 22, 2018 • Voters’ list available to • End of campaign period: candidates: December 31, 2018 (unless extension September 17 filed) • • Voters’ list revision period: Financial statement filing deadline: March 29, 2019 (unless extension September 17 – October 22 filed) • Election signs can be put up: September 27 All signs must be removed by Oct 25 toronto.ca/elections
Where to File Nominations • Nominations are accepted at: City Hall Elections Office 100 Queen St W 1 st Floor North • Nominations for councillor and school board trustee will be accepted until September 14 at 2:00 p.m. August 20 – September 13: Mon – Fri, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. September 14: 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. • Deadline to file for mayor was July 27 th toronto.ca/elections
How to File a Nomination • Must be filed in-person at the Election Services Office at City Hall 100 Queen Street West, 1st Floor North • To file a nomination, you must provide: Completed Nomination Paper 25 endorsements of nomination (councillor candidates only) Current acceptable identification (showing name, qualifying address, signature) Nomination filing fee of $100 toronto.ca/elections
Endorsements of Nomination • All nominations filed for councillor must be accompanied by the endorsement of at least 25 eligible electors in the City of Toronto • The endorsements must be submitted on the form provided by the Province Endorsers do not need to live in the ward in which the candidate intends to run Endorsers can endorse more than one candidate • It is the candidate's responsibility to ensure that the endorsements are complete before submitting them Recommended that candidates supply more than 25 endorsements toronto.ca/elections
Changing Wards • Candidates who filed a nomination for councillor or trustee on or before July 27 and wish to continue as a candidate must file a Change of Ward Notification This form must be filed in-person at the City Hall Elections Office by 2:00 p.m. on September 14th or the candidate will be deemed to have withdrawn The form must be filed even if the candidate's ward number has not changed An original signature is required on the form and acceptable ID must be shown • After filing, candidates will receive a new preliminary expense limit • Filing a Change of Ward Notification does not represent a new nomination or new campaign Any money already raised or spent carries over No additional filing fee is required toronto.ca/elections
Changing or Withdrawing from Office • Candidates for councillor or school board trustee have until 2:00 p.m. on September 14 to withdraw their nomination and remove their name from the ballot • Candidates who wish to change office (e.g., councillor to trustee, trustee to councillor, one school board to another) must withdraw from the office in which they are running and file a new nomination If moving from trustee to councillor, 25 endorsements of nomination must be submitted. • Candidates are required to submit a financial statement for each of their campaigns Even if they withdraw from their campaign Even if they do not raise or spend any money on their campaign toronto.ca/elections
Contributions • All candidates who raise or spend money must open a campaign bank account All money raised and spent must be done through this campaign bank account • Candidates can accept contributions from individuals who normally reside in Ontario • Contributions can include money, goods, or services All contributions must be documented by the candidate The maximum an individual can donate to a councillor or trustee candidate is $1,200 Candidates cannot accept contributions from corporations or trade unions • Receipts must be issued for every contribution and should include the name, address, amount and date the contribution was received toronto.ca/elections
Campaign Expenses • Campaign expenses include: Any expense incurred for goods and services in relation to an election The market value of any inventory being used from a previous election The equivalent value of any contribution of goods and services • Preliminary spending limits are provided to candidates upon the filing of their nomination Final spending limits will be provided on September 25; the higher of the two amounts will be the final spending limit • Some campaign expenses do not count towards the spending limit See Financial Statement – Form 4 for examples toronto.ca/elections
Finances and Record Keeping • Candidates must keep records of: Every expense, including the receipts obtained for each expense. The value and type (i.e., money, good or service) of every contribution received Contributor’s name and address Receipts issued for every contribution • Candidates must file their financial statement on or before 2:00 p.m. on March 29, 2019. • Financial statements must include an auditor’s report if: The candidate is participating in the Contribution Rebate Program (no matter how much money they raise or spend); OR The candidate’s expenses or contributions exceed $10,000 toronto.ca/elections
Finances and Record Keeping • If a candidate has a surplus at the end of their campaign, it must be paid to the City Clerk. After their campaign ends, if a candidate has a surplus they many refund any contributions they (or their spouse) made to their own campaign • Candidates are not permitted to refund eligible contributions made by anyone other than themselves or their spouse toronto.ca/elections
MyCampaign • Candidates can access Updated expense limits Updated contribution limits for candidate/spouse Scanned copy of nomination paper Submission of contact info for online display • In September, candidates can download: Detailed ward maps and list of voting places (Sept 4) Voters’ list (Sept 17) • In October, candidates can access: Sample ballot for their ward Number of scrutineers allowed in each voting place List of people who voted during the advance vote toronto.ca/elections
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