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Meet the Team
Clare Blyth, Assistant Returning Officer [email protected] 902-521-2487 Eric Levy, Returning Officer [email protected] 902-624-8327 |
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The Town of Mahone Bay Council is holding a special election for the vacant position of two (2) Councillors on Saturday, February 14, 2026.
The Town of Mahone Bay’s council is composed of six Councillors and a Mayor. Council members are elected "at large," meaning they represent the entire town rather than specific districts or wards. This means that each council member is responsible for addressing the concerns and needs of all residents in Mahone Bay.
Useful Resources
Municipal Elections Act
Guide for New Municipal Councillors
Role of a Municipal Councillor
Revision
The Revising Officer for the February 14, 2026 Special Municipal Election will be making revisions to the Preliminary List of Electors during the following dates.
Monday December 22, 2025 – Monday January 19, 2026
NOTE: After the formal revision period has ended, we are still able to add, delete or correct names on the amended list until Monday February 2, 2026.
Each household is asked to complete the form they receive asking for household details (address, name and date of birth) and submit the information in one of the following ways:
- In person at Town Hall, 493 Main Street
- Mail – PO Box 530, Mahone Bay, NS B0J 2E0
- Mail Slot – (after hours) (next to Town Hall front door)
- Telephone – (902) 521-2487
- E-mail – [email protected]
Nomination
The nomination period begins on Friday January 9, 2026 and closes at 4pm on Tuesday, January 20th 2026.
To be registered on the list of electors and to vote in a municipal election, a resident must:
- be 18 years or older and a Canadian citizen on or before Polling Day
- be ordinarily resident in the Town of Mahone Bay on Polling Day
- have been Ordinarily Resident in Nova Scotia on or before Aug 14, 2025
Voting Procedures
Voting in this election can only be done over the phone or online. Advanced voting starts 9:00am on February 5th, 2026 and the voting period ends on Election Day, February 14th, 2026 at 7:00 pm You can vote anytime during the advance voting period. Residents who are without access to alternative voting methods can visit Town Hall during regular business hours (Monday – Friday, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm) for assistance with the voting process.
Voting Eligibility
Residents who meet all the following conditions qualify to vote in municipal elections:
In addition to meeting residency, age and citizenship requirements, residents must not otherwise be disqualified to vote in municipal elections. You are considered a disqualified person for the purpose of the municipal election if you are:
Students who meet basic voting eligibility are considered residents of either where their family home is located or where they are attending school, but not both. All residents can only vote in one municipal election in Nova Scotia.
Voting in this election can only be done over the phone or online. Advanced voting starts 9:00am on February 5th, 2026 and the voting period ends on Election Day, February 14th, 2026 at 7:00 pm You can vote anytime during the advance voting period. Residents who are without access to alternative voting methods can visit Town Hall during regular business hours (Monday – Friday, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm) for assistance with the voting process.
Voting Eligibility
Residents who meet all the following conditions qualify to vote in municipal elections:
- To be registered on the list of electors and to vote in a municipal election, a resident must:
- be 18 years or older and a Canadian citizen on or before Polling Day
- be ordinarily resident in the Town of Mahone Bay on Polling Day
- have been Ordinarily Resident in Nova Scotia on or before Aug 14, 2025
In addition to meeting residency, age and citizenship requirements, residents must not otherwise be disqualified to vote in municipal elections. You are considered a disqualified person for the purpose of the municipal election if you are:
- a person serving a sentence in a penal or reform institution; and/or
- a person who has been convicted of bribery under the Municipal Elections Act, in the six (6) years before the ordinary polling day.
Students who meet basic voting eligibility are considered residents of either where their family home is located or where they are attending school, but not both. All residents can only vote in one municipal election in Nova Scotia.
Are you interested in running in the 2026 Town of Mahone Bay Special Election? The Prospective Candidates Handbook has information about how to run as a candidate for councillor. Click here to access the Handbook.
Becoming a Candidate in the Municipal Election
For detailed information about how to become a candidate, see our Becoming a Candidate guide.
To Run as a Candidate, You Must Be:
Preparing for Nomination
If you meet all candidate requirements, you can either appoint an official agent or declare yourself as your own official agent.
The official agent is responsible for managing all campaign contributions and opening a dedicated bank account. It is recommended to appoint an official agent before accepting any contributions.
You can appoint your official agent before the nomination period. To do this, schedule an appointment with the Assistant Returning Officer, Clare Blyth ([email protected]) and submit Form 17. At the appointment, your official agent must be present to swear or affirm an oath.
Filing Your Nomination Papers
Beginning January 9, 2026, contact the Assistant Returning Officer at [email protected] to make an in-person appointment to file your nomination papers.
Appointments will be available during regular business hours (9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.) between January 9 and January 19 2026. Walk-in appointments will be accepted on January 20 2026 during regular business hours. This is the final day to file nomination papers to run in the 2026 Special Election.
To submit your nomination papers, you can download the Nomination Package here or request a printed copy by emailing [email protected]
Making Your Candidacy Official Checklist
All candidate forms must be completed and submitted to the Assistant Returning Officer by nomination day (Jan 20, 2026).
Becoming a Candidate in the Municipal Election
For detailed information about how to become a candidate, see our Becoming a Candidate guide.
To Run as a Candidate, You Must Be:
- At least 18 years of age at the time of nomination;
- A Canadian citizen; and
- Ordinarily resident, which means you must have lived in the Mahone Bay for six months before nomination day (July 20, 2025) and continue to live there.
Preparing for Nomination
If you meet all candidate requirements, you can either appoint an official agent or declare yourself as your own official agent.
The official agent is responsible for managing all campaign contributions and opening a dedicated bank account. It is recommended to appoint an official agent before accepting any contributions.
You can appoint your official agent before the nomination period. To do this, schedule an appointment with the Assistant Returning Officer, Clare Blyth ([email protected]) and submit Form 17. At the appointment, your official agent must be present to swear or affirm an oath.
Filing Your Nomination Papers
Beginning January 9, 2026, contact the Assistant Returning Officer at [email protected] to make an in-person appointment to file your nomination papers.
Appointments will be available during regular business hours (9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.) between January 9 and January 19 2026. Walk-in appointments will be accepted on January 20 2026 during regular business hours. This is the final day to file nomination papers to run in the 2026 Special Election.
To submit your nomination papers, you can download the Nomination Package here or request a printed copy by emailing [email protected]
Making Your Candidacy Official Checklist
All candidate forms must be completed and submitted to the Assistant Returning Officer by nomination day (Jan 20, 2026).
- Make a $200 filing fee deposit
- Receive a Certificate of Taxes and Liens
- Have valid photo identification.
- Make sure you are on the List of Electors
- Have all relevant completed forms completed, including having five qualified electors sign your nomination paper (FORM 11).