BLACK RIVER-MATHESON - Looking to take a seat at Matheson’s council table?
People interested in throwing their name in the ring for the byelection can start filing their nomination papers on June 1.
Here’s what you need to know if you’re considering running:
Who can run
If you're eligible to vote in Matheson, you can run for a position. When filing nomination papers, you must be a Canadian citizen who is 18 years or older. The guidelines are fully laid out in the nomination package.
What positions are available
Seven council members will be elected — one mayor, and one councillor in each of the six wards.
When and where to file nomination papers
The nomination period is open June 1 to June 28 at 2 p.m.
On June 1, nomination papers can be filed at the municipal office between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. On June 2, nomination papers can be filed between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.
After that, papers can be filed during the township’s regular businesses hours, which are Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
What you need to file a nomination
There is a nomination filing fee. The filing fee for the mayor’s seat is $200. For a councillor, the filing fee is $100.
Nomination packages are available online here.
Election day
Voting is being done online. Election day is on Monday, Aug. 12, with advanced voting from Aug. 1-11
RELATED: Are you on the Matheson voters' list?
Why is there a byelection?
In a rare move, in April the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing declared all of the Matheson council seats vacant after council failed to meet quorum for meetings for 60 days. The little-used section of the Municipal Act hasn't been exercised since it took effect in the early 2000s.
In the last election in 2022, all but one of the council positions were acclaimed. With people only voting for one ward councillor, the voter turnout was 5.95 per cent — with 150 of the eligible 2,605 voters casting a ballot.
