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  • District 9 Special Election set for October 17

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    The Municipality of the District of Lunenburg (MODL) will hold a Special Election this fall to fill the vacant District 9 Council seat following the resignation of Councillor Ben Brooks, which was effective on July 14, 2026.

    At a special meeting on August 4, 2026, Council approved the dates and administrative requirements required to conduct the election in accordance with Nova Scotia's Municipal Elections Act.

    Residents of District 9 will be able to cast their ballots using electronic voting, which has been successfully used in previous municipal elections and provides a secure, convenient, and accessible way for eligible voters

    The Municipality of the District of Lunenburg (MODL) will hold a Special Election this fall to fill the vacant District 9 Council seat following the resignation of Councillor Ben Brooks, which was effective on July 14, 2026.

    At a special meeting on August 4, 2026, Council approved the dates and administrative requirements required to conduct the election in accordance with Nova Scotia's Municipal Elections Act.

    Residents of District 9 will be able to cast their ballots using electronic voting, which has been successfully used in previous municipal elections and provides a secure, convenient, and accessible way for eligible voters to participate online or via telephone.

    The Municipality has established a dedicated District 9 Special Election page on Engage MODL, which will serve as the central source of information for residents, candidates, and voters throughout the election process.

    Key election dates

    • Nomination Day: Tuesday, September 22, 2026

    • Advance Polling Day: Thursday, October 8, 2026

    • Election Day (Ordinary Polling Day): Saturday, October 17, 2026

    Council also appointed April Whynot-Lohnes, Municipal Clerk, as Returning Officer for the Special Election and delegated authority to the Chief Administrative Officer to appoint an Assistant Returning Officer if required.

    Encouraging participation

    Mayor Elspeth McLean-Wile encouraged eligible residents to consider participating in the election process.

    "Strong local government depends on community participation. This Special Election provides District 9 residents with an opportunity to choose who will represent their interests at the Council table,” said McLean-Wile. “We encourage anyone interested in serving their community to learn more about becoming a candidate and encourage all eligible voters to take part in the election."

    Information for prospective candidates

    Individuals interested in running for the District 9 Council seat must submit their nomination papers by Tuesday, September 22, 2026.

    Information about candidate eligibility, nomination requirements, election procedures, and important deadlines will be available through Engage MODL.

    Your source for election information

    Over the coming weeks, the Municipality will launch a communications campaign to ensure District 9 residents have the information they need to participate in the election.

    Election information will be shared through news releases, social media, advertisements, and other public information channels, with all election-related information housed on Engage MODL.

    Residents can visit Engage MODL to access:

    • Election dates and deadlines

    • Candidate information

    • Voter eligibility information

    • Electronic voting instructions

    • Frequently asked questions

    • Voter assistance resources

    • Election updates and announcements

    The estimated cost of the Special Election is approximately $23,000, which will be funded through the Municipality's Election Reserve and will not impact the Municipality's 2026-2027 operating budget.

    Map of District 9

    Communities within the red boundary line fall within District 9. Eligible residents will be able to vote in the upcoming Special Election set for October 17, 2026.

    For the latest information on the District 9 Special Election, visit Engage MODL.

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  • Information for Candidates

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    Interested in Running for District 9 Council?

    Serving on Municipal Council is an opportunity to represent your community, help shape local decisions, and contribute to the future of the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg.

    A special election will be held on Saturday, October 17, 2026 to fill the vacant Council seat for District 9.

    If you are considering running, candidate information resources and nomination materials will be available to help guide you through the process. General information is provided below. Be sure to download the "Becoming a Municipal Candidate - By-Election pdf from the documents folder on this

    Interested in Running for District 9 Council?

    Serving on Municipal Council is an opportunity to represent your community, help shape local decisions, and contribute to the future of the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg.

    A special election will be held on Saturday, October 17, 2026 to fill the vacant Council seat for District 9.

    If you are considering running, candidate information resources and nomination materials will be available to help guide you through the process. General information is provided below. Be sure to download the "Becoming a Municipal Candidate - By-Election pdf from the documents folder on this page for the most detailed information.

    Who Can Run?

    To be nominated as a candidate for the District 9 Council seat, you must:

    • Be a Canadian citizen.
    • Be at least 18 years of age at the time of nomination.
    • Be ordinarily resident in the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg for at least six months before Nomination Day (since March 22, 2026) and continue to reside in the municipality.

    Before You File Your Nomination

    If you plan to accept campaign contributions, you must appoint an Official Agent before accepting any contributions, even if you choose to act as your own Official Agent.

    Your Official Agent is responsible for managing campaign finances and opening a dedicated campaign bank account. Additional information about appointing an Official Agent and completing the required forms will be provided when nomination details are announced.

    Filing Your Nomination Papers

    The Nomination Day is Tuesday, September 22, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Appointments are encouraged but not required.

    There are additional days that you can meet with the Returning Officer to file your nomination papers. Appointments are mandatory during this Advance Filing period between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on September 15-18, 2026 and September 21, 2026.

    It is recommended you file your papers before September 22, in case there is something not acceptable or complete at that time. This would allow the issue to be corrected and another appointment scheduled.

    Candidate nomination packages will be available once the election process begins. The package will include all forms and instructions needed to complete your nomination.

    Candidate Checklist

    Before filing your nomination papers, you will need to:

    • Complete all required nomination forms.
    • Obtain the required number of elector signatures on your nomination paper.
    • Provide valid photo identification.
    • Pay the required filing fee.
    • Obtain a Certificate of Taxes and Liens.
    • Ensure all required documents are submitted before the nomination deadline.

    Once your nomination papers have been accepted, your candidacy becomes public information.

    Resources

    The following resources are available to help you learn more about running for Municipal Council:

    • Becoming a Municipal Council Candidate
    • Guide for New Municipal Councillors (NS)*
    • Candidate's Guide to Municipal Elections (NS)*
    • Additional Resources

    * From previous election in 2024, so some information and dates will be outdated. Provided for general information purposes.)

    If not posted here, these and other materials will be provided by the Returning Officer.

    District 9 Map

    The communities within the red boundary line are part of District 9, and eligible residents are able to vote in the upcoming Special Election, set for October 17, 2026.

    Questions?

    If you have questions about becoming a candidate, please contact the Municipal Elections Office at elections@modl.ca or call 902-530-6652. Additional election information will be added to this page as it becomes available.

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  • Information for Voters

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    Voting in the District 9 Special Election

    Eligible voters in District 9 will be able to vote online or by telephone during the voting period.

    Advanced Polling begins on Thursday, October 8, 2026.
    Election Day is Saturday, October 17, 2026.

    Voters will receive a Voter Information Letter containing the information needed to vote, including a unique PIN and instructions for online and telephone voting.

    Who Can Vote?

    To vote in the District 9 Special Election, you must:

    • Be 18 years of age or older on or before Election Day.
    • Be a Canadian citizen.
    • Be ordinarily resident in Nova Scotia for

    Voting in the District 9 Special Election

    Eligible voters in District 9 will be able to vote online or by telephone during the voting period.

    Advanced Polling begins on Thursday, October 8, 2026.
    Election Day is Saturday, October 17, 2026.

    Voters will receive a Voter Information Letter containing the information needed to vote, including a unique PIN and instructions for online and telephone voting.

    Who Can Vote?

    To vote in the District 9 Special Election, you must:

    • Be 18 years of age or older on or before Election Day.
    • Be a Canadian citizen.
    • Be ordinarily resident in Nova Scotia for at least six months (since April 17, 2026) before Election Day.
    • Be ordinarily resident in District 9 of the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg on Election Day.

    Nova Scotia does not permit non-resident voting in municipal elections. Property ownership alone does not qualify a person to vote if they do not ordinarily reside in the municipality.

    Are You on the List of Electors?

    Voters who are on the List of Electors will receive a Voter Information Letter before the voting period begins.

    Information on how to confirm that you are on the List of Electors will be posted here when available.

    How to Vote

    Voting can be completed:

    • Online using a computer, tablet, or smartphone.
    • By telephone using a landline or mobile phone.

    To vote, you will need the unique PIN provided in your Voter Information Letter.

    Need Help Voting?

    Support will be available throughout the voting period for residents who need assistance with online or telephone voting.

    Information about voter assistance, help lines, office hours, and any in-person voter support locations will be provided closer to Election Day.

    Student Voters

    Students who meet the voting requirements may vote in the municipality where they ordinarily reside while attending school or where their family home is located, but not both. A person may vote in only one municipal election in Nova Scotia.

    District 9 Map

    The communities within the red boundary line make up District 9. Eligible voters in the district will be able to vote in the upcoming Special Election set for October 17, 2026.


    Questions?

    If you have questions about voting, please contact the Municipal Elections Office at elections@modl.ca(External link) or call 902-530-6652. Additional election information will be added to this page as it becomes available.

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