2025 Election: Candidate Information

As per the Local Authorities Election Act, candidates intending to run for the 2025 election for the position of School Board Trustee (Black Gold School Division) must register their notice of intent with the Returning Officer before accepting campaign contribution or incurring campaign expenses.

To register, prospective candidates must complete the *Notice of Intent to Run form and submit it to the Returning Officer. Candidate can submit their forms any time during the campaign period. Please note that candidates who register their Notice of Intent must still submit their official nomination forms between January 1, 2025 and Nomination Day on September 22, 2025. 

*Note: The above link for the Intent to Run form will prompt a downloadable zipped file. Unzip the file and double-click to open with Adobe Acrobat Reader to fill out the form.

You can submit your notice of intent form in one of two ways:

Email your written notice to: [email protected]

Mail your written notice to:

Black Gold School Division
Attention: Returning Officer
3rd Floor, 1101 – 5 Street
Nisku, AB T9E 7N3

Within three business days, the Returning Officer will contact the candidate to confirm receiving their notice of intent. They will inform them if their submission meets the requirements or if it needs more information.

Please note: Candidates that register their Notice of Intent must still submit their official nomination forms between January 1, 2025 and Nomination Day on September 22, 2025. 

Candidates for Ward 1

(including the Village of Warburg & Town of Thorsby)

Candidates for Ward 2

(including the Town of Devon & Town of Calmar)

Candidates for Ward 3

(including City of Leduc)

Candidates for Ward 4

(including the City of Beaumont & New Sarepta schools attendance area)

Notice of Intent does not mean nomination papers have been officially filed.

Please take note of the following important dates:

• Wednesday, January 1, 2025 – Nominations Open
  Candidates wishing to run for school trustee must complete the nomination process. This means completing the required forms, and collecting signatures from a minimum of 25 eligible electors. The nomination period runs from January 1-September 22.
• Monday, September 22, 2025 – Nomination Day
  Candidates have until noon to declare their intention to run for trusteeship.
• Monday, October 20, 2025 – Election Day
  Albertans will vote for their school board trustees as part of the municipal general elections. Check out our 2025 Candidate Profiles webpage (coming soon) before making an informed choice at the polls.

Black Gold School Division is governed by a Board of Trustees. There are seven (7) positions elected by public school taxpayers:

Click on the map to expand. Download and print this map. (PDF)

The Local Authorities Election Act states that a person is eligible to be nominated as a candidate in any election under this Act if on nomination day the person:

(a) is eligible to vote in that election,
(b) has been a resident of the local jurisdiction and the ward, if any, for the 6 consecutive months immediately preceding nomination day, and
(c) is not otherwise ineligible or disqualified.

NOTE: Sections 22-24 of the Local Authorities Election Act stipulate under what circumstances a candidate is NOT eligible for nomination. It is a candidate’s responsibility to confirm eligibility before engaging in the nomination process, and to read and understand the legislation, and to seek appropriate legal or accounting advice from professionals as required. The candidate is also responsible for ensuring that his or her campaign complies with all provincial laws.

Candidate nomination forms are available below. Prospective candidates can also contact the Division Office during regular business hours to obtain a printed copy of the School Trustee Nomination package.

• Form 4 – Nomination Paper and Candidates Acceptance
• Additional Signatures – Nomination Paper and Candidate’s Acceptance
• Form 5 – Candidate Financial Information
• Consent to Disclose Candidate Information  – this must be submitted along with Form 4 and 5

*Note: The links for forms 4 and 5 will prompt downloadable zipped files. Unzip the files and double-click to open with Adobe Acrobat Reader to fill out the forms.

All candidates running for school trustee must submit a completed nomination package to the Returning Officer at the Black Gold School Division Office (County Centre, 3rd Floor, 1101-5th Street, Nisku, Alberta T9E 7N3), Monday – Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (closed for lunch from 12 p.m. – 1 p.m.). The Nomination Period runs from January 1, 2025, until 12 p.m. on Nomination Day, September 22, 2025.

Candidates wishing to submit their completed nomination package prior to Nomination Day can contact the Returning Officer by calling 780-955-6025 or emailing [email protected] to make an appointment.

On Nomination Day, completed nomination forms will be received by the Returning Officer between 10 a.m. and noon on Monday, September 22, 2025, at the Division Office, located in the County Centre, 3rd Floor, 1101-5th Street, Nisku.

Is submitting a Notice of Intent form the same as submitting nomination forms?
No. Submitting a Notice of Intent is one step in the process and does not mean you have been nominated and will appear on the ballot.

Once a prospective candidate’s notice of intent submission is complete and they are added to the Notice of Intent to Run Candidates register, they can accept campaign contributions and incur campaign expenses.

To become a nominated candidate and appear on the ballot, a candidate must complete the nomination process during the Nomination Period from January 1 to September 22, 2025.

Who can sign nomination papers?
Each person who signs a candidate’s nomination papers must be eligible to vote in the election for the office for which the candidate is running. They must be residents of the local jurisdiction on the day they sign the nomination form.

Where there are wards, only electors who are residents of the ward for which a candidate is being nominated may sign the nomination form.

How many signatures do nomination papers need?
Black Gold School Division requires a minimum of 25 eligible voters, who are residents of the school division and ward, to sign a candidate’s nomination papers. It is recommended to request more signatures, in case a name is later deemed ineligible.

When do candidates file their nomination papers?
The nomination period for the 2025 School Board Election opens on January 1, 2025, and runs until 12 p.m. on Nomination Day, which is Monday, September 22, 2025.

Candidates wishing to submit their completed nomination package prior to Nomination Day can contact the Returning Officer by calling 780-955-6025 or emailing [email protected] to make an appointment.

• Alberta Education School Board Elections Information
• ASBA Guide for School Board Trustees
• Alberta School Board Association
• Education Act
• Local Authorities Election Act