WESTLOCK — The Town of Westlock will soon hold its first byelection in eight years, when residents go to the polls Jan. 10, 2024 to elect a new councillor and new mayor.
The byelection was officially set during the Town of Westlock’s regular council meeting on Nov. 14, where councillors officially accepted the resignations of Mayor Ralph Leriger and Coun. Jon Kramer, who submitted their intent to resign Nov. 10.
"Under the Municipal Government Act (MGA) if your councillors resign and you're short prior to 18 months before the next general election, then you must hold a byelection,” said CAO Simone Wiley. “The next general election for Alberta (municipalities) is not until Oct. 20, 2025 so we are required to hold a byelection for the mayor's seat as well as councillor's seat."
During the Nov. 14 meeting, councillors also appointed Annette Boissonnault as the Returning Officer and Bruinella Mitchell as the substitute Returning Officer for the byelection.
In a Nov. 15 press release Wiley also shared a few words of thanks for the former council members and noted the steps taken for the upcoming byelection.
“I want to thank both departing council members for their commitment to this community,” she said. “Now that they’ve submitted their resignations, we are moving forward with the byelection in alignment with the requirements set out in the province’s Municipal Government Act. We look forward to constructive campaigns by those hoping to be elected and voters alike.”
Anyone interested in running for a position on Town of Westlock council can pick up a nomination package at the town office or can print the package from the town’s website www.westlock.ca
In a follow-up email Nov. 16, Wiley said there has not been any interest to date from anyone wishing to fill the empty mayoral or councillor seat other than Jon Kramer.
“The Town has not been made aware of anyone with intentions to run for either position, other than Jon Kramer,” said Wiley, noting that residents will only be made aware of a candidate’s intent to run for municipal office if they sign a release allowing their names to be made public.
“If the candidate signs a form that allows the municipality to release their name to the public prior to the close of nomination day then that information will be posted on our website,” explained Wiley. “If they do not sign that form upon submission of nomination papers then their name won’t be public until after close of nomination day.”
The last time residents went to the polls for a byelection was in 2015 when Coun. Murtaza Jamaly was elected after Coun. Sheila Foley moved away from the community.
Those wishing to put their name forward for election must do so by 12 p.m. on Dec. 13.
