Local web-journalist Kelly Allard has become the first candidate to officially register for the Oct. 20 municipal election. Allard ran as well in 2021, finishing 14th out of 33 candidates.--NEWS FILE PHOTO
@MedicineHatNews
The first candidate for city council elections is officially registered – 2021 council candidate and web-journalist Kelly Allard.
Her name appears on the city’s 2025 election list of candidates, which until now has been blank since the official nomination period opened on Jan. 1.
This year all municipal and school board voters in Alberta will go to the polls on Oct. 20 to elect new representatives.
In 2021, Allard finished No. 14 among a near-record number of 33 candidates for eight at-large council seats. She has since been a harsh critic of the current council.
Allard submitted her nomination forms on Feb. 28, and is again seeking a councillor position.
No one has yet registered for the mayoral race or for school board trustee positions.
Mayor Linnsie Clark has stated she would announce her plans for the election in the spring or summer.
Most other incumbents have also not stated their intentions, though Coun. Ramona Robins has said she will not seek re-election and instead take a professional sabbatical and travel next year.
Several individuals have stated on social media that they intend to mount election campaigns, but cannot officially fundraise until they register with the city’s chief returning officer.
The city also conducts the election for two urban school boards.
The nomination period officially ends on Sept. 22.
