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General Information FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ's) GENERAL What is the date of the election?
The election will be on Wednesday, October 27, 2010 from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Why is an election being held?
An election is being held to fill 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 information guides are available from the City Clerk's Department, Council Building, 510 Main Street.Commencing in August, the School Trustee candidate guide will be available from the City Clerk's Department, Council Building, 510 Main Street or from your respective School Division office. The guides can also be viewed on the election website www.winnipeg.ca/2010election. CANDIDATE ELIGIBILITY Who is eligible to be a candidate for Mayor or Councillor?
A person is eligible to be a candidate for Mayor or Councillor if they are:
CANDIDATE REGISTRATION What is candidate registration?
Candidate registration is the time at which persons seeking to become a candidate for Mayor or Councillor must file a Registration Form identifying their official agent, auditor and financial institution.After a person has registered as a candidate, they can begin accepting contributions and incur campaign expenses. School Trustee candidates do not have to register as there is no legislation requiring them to do so. Where can I get a Registration Form?
The Registration Form is found in the Campaign Expenses and Contribution Guide. and is available on the election website www.winnipeg.ca/2010electionThe Campaign Expenses and Contributions Guide is available from the City Clerk's Department, Council Building, 510 Main Street and can also be found on the election website www.winnipeg.ca/2010election When and where can I register as a candidate?
The Registration Period for candidates for Mayor is Monday, May 3, 2010 to Tuesday, September 21, 2010.The Registration Period for Councillor candidates is Wednesday, June 30, 2010 to Tuesday, September 21, 2010. Registration must be done in person with the Senior Election Official, City Clerk's Department, Council Building, 510 Main Street, during 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 start accepting contributions and incur campaign expenses 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 to a candidate for Mayor is $1,500.00.The maximum amount that can be contributed to a candidate for Councillor is $750.00. There is no legislation regulating campaign contributions for School Trustee candidates. 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 the funding of a School Trustee candidate's election campaign. When does the campaign period begin and end?
The campaign period for candidates for Mayor begins on Saturday, May 1, 2010 and ends on Wednesday, March 31, 2011. The Campaign Period for candidates for Councillor begins on Wednesday, June 30, 2010 and ends on Wednesday, March 31, 2011. There is no legislation defining a campaign period for School Trustee candidates.
CANDIDATE NOMINATIONS When can a candidate file their Nomination Paper?
A candidate can file their Nomination Paper, in person, with the Senior Election Official during business hours beginning Wednesday, September 15, 2010. The deadline for filing a Nomination Paper is 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, September 21, 2010.
How many signatures are required to nominate a candidate?
The Nomination Paper for a candidate for Mayor must have a minimum of 250 signatures of voters whose names appear on the Voters List.The Nomination Paper for a candidate for Councillor must have a minimum of 25 signatures of voters whose names appear on the Voters List. The Nomination Paper for a candidate for School Trustee must have a minimum of 25 signatures of voters whose names appear on the Voters List. CONTRIBUTION REBATES Can I get a rebate for a contribution made to a Mayor and/or Councillor candidate?
Yes. Contributors (including registered candidates) are eligible to receive a rebate.
How do I get a rebate for a contribution made to a Mayor and/or Councillor candidate?
To receive a rebate, the contributor must complete the Contribution Rebate Application form (provided to them by the candidate) and mail it to the City Clerk, City Clerk's Department, Council Building, 510 Main Street, Winnipeg, R3B 1B9.The deadline to submit a Contribution Rebate Application is December 27, 2011. Can I get an income tax receipt for a contribution made to a Mayor and/or Councillor candidate?
No. A contribution made to a candidate is not tax-deductible.
CANDIDATE CAMPAIGN SIGNS When can candidates erect their campaign signs?
Campaign signs can be erected beginning Saturday, September 4, 2010 and must removed by Wednesday, November 3, 2010.
Are there any rules setting out where campaign signs can be placed?
Yes. The placement of campaign signs is outlined in various City by-laws.
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 calling 311.
VOTER ELIGIBIILTY Who can vote for Mayor and Councillor?
RESIDENTS: A person who is a resident of The City of Winnipeg is eligible to vote if they are:
Who can vote for School Trustee?
A person who is a resident of the School Division is eligible to vote if they are:
VOTERS LIST How is the Voters List prepared?
The City of Winnipeg utilizes 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?
If your name does not appear on the Voters List, you may request to have your name added if you meet the voter eligibility criteria.Requests should be made by calling 311, or in writing, or in person at the City Clerk's Department, Council Building, 510 Main Street, Winnipeg MB R3B 1B9; or faxed 947-3452. Requests for changes to the Voters List will be accepted until 4:30 p.m., Friday, September 3, 2010. 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 completing an affidavit 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.
VOTERS NOTICE What is a Voters Notice?
A Voters Notice is notification that an election is taking place and outlines the date, time and place where the person is to vote.
I did not receive a Voters Notice. Does this mean I cannot vote?
A Voters Notice is not necessary in order to vote, providing you meet the eligibility of a voter. At the voting place, you will be required to present ID and take an Oath prior to voting.
My (wife, husband, son, daughter, neighbour, etc.) received a Voters Notice, but I did not. Why not?
Voters Notices are not always delivered the same day and may yet arrive within the next day or two. A Voters Notice is not required in order to vote.
A Voters Notice with my former address has been forwarded to me. Do I still vote at the voting place shown on the card?
No. You must vote at the voting place where you presently reside.
I received a Voters Notice for someone who does not live at my address. What should I do?
Bring the Voters Notice with you to your voting place and let the Election Officer know that the person identified on the Voters Notice does not reside at your address.This will be noted and the individual's name will be removed from the Voters List. I received a Voters Notice for a deceased member of my family. What should I do?
Bring the Voters Notice with you to your voting place and let the Election Officer know that the person identified on the Voters Notice is deceased.This will be noted and the person's name will be removed from the Voters List. My name is incorrect or spelled incorrectly on the Voters Notice. What should I do?
Bring the Voters 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 Voters Notices in my name. Can I vote twice?
No. A person may only vote once. Bring both Voters Notices with you to your voting place and let the Election Officer know you received two.This will be noted and the duplicate entry will be removed from the Voters List. I am legally blind and need assistance to vote. Can I bring an assistant with me?
All Election Officers are have taken an Oath of Secrecy and can assist a person who needs help in the voting booth. However, if a person would prefer to have a friend, relative etc. help them, that person must take an "Oath of Assistant" at the voting station and will then be permitted to assist. The Assistant 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 Voters Notice in the mail identifying their voting place.
I did not receive a Voters Notice. Where do I vote?
To find out your voting place, please call 311 or visit the election website www.winnipeg.ca/2010election..
Are voting places accessible for persons with disabilities?
Yes. All voting places are accessible for persons with disabilities. Signs will be posted to indicate accessible entrances.
SCRUTINEERS Where can I get information on scrutineers?
Scrutineer information is available in the Candidate Guide and on the election website www.winnipeg.ca/2010election.
VOTING Do I need ID to vote?
Yes. Voters will be required to produce acceptable ID at the voting place.
What types of ID will be accepted at the voting place?
A valid driver's license will be accepted. In the absence of a driver's license, any two documents that together show the person's name and current address will also be accepted.
Can I still vote if my name is not on the Voters List?
Yes, providing you meet the eligibility of a voter. At the voting place, you will be required to present ID 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, providing you meet the eligibility of a voter. At the voting place, you will be required to present ID and take an Oath prior to voting.
I recently moved within the City. Can I vote and if so, where?
Yes, providing you meet the eligibility of a voter, but you must vote at the voting place in the area which you now reside.
Where do I vote if I don't live in Winnipeg but own property in the City?
Providing you meet the eligibility of a non-resident voter, you must vote at the voting place where you are listed as a voter. Refer to your Voters Notice for your designated voting place.
Where do I vote if I own property in one part of the City, but actually reside in another?
You must vote at the voting place for the area where you actually reside regardless of what property you own.
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 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 six months (since April 27 2010).
How do I know that my ballot has been counted by the voting machine?
When the ballot is placed into the voting machine, the voter will hear the processing and can see the number count increase by one.
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 recasting their vote. If a voter does not wish to recast their vote, 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.
ADVANCE VOTING When and where will Advance Voting be held?
Advance Voting will be held at City Hall, Council Building, 510 Main Street, beginning Monday, October 4, 2010 and ending on October 22, 2010.
All voting places are accessible to persons with disabilities. Who can vote at Advance Voting?
Any voter can vote in advance.
I will be out of the city during Advance Voting and on Election Day. Is there any other way I can vote?
A voter may apply 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 make application to receive an election ballot package at their home. 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 27, 2010.
Who can vote by Sealed Envelope Ballot?
Voters can vote by Sealed Envelope Ballot if they are unable to go in person to a voting place or who will be absent from the city on Advance Voting days or on Election Day.
Where can I get an application for voting by Sealed Envelope Ballot?
Applications for voting by Sealed Envelope Ballot are available from the City Clerk's Department, Council Building, 510 Main Street, or on the election website www.winnipeg.ca/2010election
What is the deadline for applying to vote by Sealed Envelope Ballot?
The deadline for applying to vote by Sealed Envelope Ballot is Friday, October 22, 2010.
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