Municipal election nominations open in Vaughan

January 7, 2014
Vaughan Weekly
By Angela Gismondi

It’s a municipal election year and the City of Vaughan is now accepting nominations.

Voting day for the 2014 municipal election is Oct. 27. The clerk’s office at the City of Vaughan is accepting nominations from now until September 12 for the offices of mayor, local and regional councillor, ward councillor and trustees for the York Region District School Board and the York Catholic District School Board. The term of office runs from Dec. 1, 2014 to Nov. 30, 2018.

For those considering running in the municipal election, City clerk Jeffrey Abrams suggests the first thing one should do is check out the information on the City’s website www.vaughan.ca under the tab Municipal Elections 2014, which includes Vaughan election resources and information for potential candidates and voters.

Individuals who are ready to file their nomination papers are asked to make an appointment with the clerks department. Nomination papers must be filed in person. Candidates must provide proof of qualifying address and pay the appropriate filing fee at that time. The fee to file a nomination is $200 to run for head of council and $100 for all other positions.

During a 20 to 30-minute meeting, the clerk will provide candidates with information they need and helps them go over the necessary forms. Abrams started doing this in the last municipal election in Vaughan to get to know the candidates.

“It helps build a relationship with the candidates so they know where to go and who to go to if they have questions,” explained Abrams. “It makes the process easier throughout. We help the candidates work through the forms so that it’s done right the first time.”

According to the City’s website, to run for a position on council you must be eligible to vote and a Canadian citizen aged 18 or older. Candidates can run in any ward. If you do run in a ward where you do not live, you will not be able to vote for yourself.

Abrams pointed out candidates cannot begin campaigning, solicit or accept contributions for election purposes or incur campaign expenses until they register as a candidate with the City Clerk.

“You cannot campaign until you register and are formally a candidate,” Abrams explained.

“Your campaign begins on the day you file your nomination.”

Once you have filed your nomination form, you are required to open a separate bank account for your campaign. Candidates are not permitted to use their personal bank account for campaign finances.

Being on council in Vaughan is a lot of work.

“It’s a full time position and it’s a lot of hours,” said Abrams. “In some municipalities it’s not, but in Vaughan it is a full-time position.”

As the City clerk, Abrams has a responsibility not only to register candidates but to make voting convenient for the constituents of Vaughan. Voter turnout in the municipality is typically low and Abrams is looking for ways to change that.

“It’s puzzling to me that people will turn out in greater numbers for provincial and federal elections when so much of what their municipality does affects them directly,” said Abrams. “We encourage people to vote and we will make it convenient and provide them with ample opportunity to ‘mark the space’ so they can help shape the future of the City of Vaughan.”

As of Tuesday, only two candidates submitted  nomination forms.

“I was surprised but I don’t think you can read too much into it,” commented Abrams.

Interested candidates can call 905-832-8585 ext. 8241 to make an appointment. Complete information about the nomination process and the nomination paper is available on the City’s website at www.vaughan.ca/elections.

The last day to file a nomination paper is Sept. 12 by 2 p.m. The term of office for the new council or school board begins on December 1, 2014.