Medicine Hat’s 2025 election nomination forms subject to updates amid Alberta government delay

After consultations with other municipalities, Medicine Hat has decided to publish the documents it can for now to allow for interested residents to get the candidate process started.

“We have decided to streamline the nomination process for all interested candidates by utilizing the existing forms in the nomination packages,” Arias said in a statement.

“Throughout the year, the forms included in the nomination package will be updated to reflect the most current versions provided by the Province of Alberta,” he added.

“Should additional information be required from candidates after they have submitted their forms, the returning officer will advise candidates directly.”

The Alberta government told CHAT News the municipal election forms are being updated due to the legislation changes and will be completed by the end of January.

The first step for those who want to run for office is to submit a notice of intent form, a new element of the campaign process added through the province’s new Municipal Affairs Statutes Amendment Act.

The city will not require candidates to submit criminal record checks after the Alberta government gave municipalities the option to request them for the 2025 elections.

“The City of Medicine Hat is not going forward with that,” Arias said.

Arias added that candidates should be patient as there are several new elements to the election process that haven’t existed before.

“Do not rely on information from the past because this is a different election than what you’re used to,” Arias said.

“If you’ve run before, treat it as your very first election.”

There are also changes in store for voters and those that run the election.

Previously, residents would get mailed a letter assigning them a voting station. This year, residents will be free to choose among any location to cast their ballot on election day.

“That is a choice we made, and the reason is simple: we have an at-large council. People may as well get the freedom to vote anywhere on election day,” Arias said.

Premier Danielle Smith’s UCP government in 2024 banned the use of electronic tabulators in Alberta’s municipal elections, saying that hand-counting ballots would establish trust in the process.

At a gathering of the Alberta Municipalities organization, 85 per cent of members voted to call on the province to reverse its ban on tabulators, machines that cities, towns and counties have used since the 1990s.

Arias acknowledged that results will come slower without the tabulators the city rents for election night.

“Tabulators scan and workers count, so obviously a little slower but I’m very confident in our workers’ ability to provide timely results,” he said.

It’s too early to tell if the election will cost the city more to run this year without the machines, Arias said, adding the city won’t hide the price tag.

“We’re going for full transparency, and the residents of Medicine Hat will know exactly how much the election costs,” he explained.

Two residents have already declared their intent to run for council.

Calvin Isaac Maltin, owner of Isaac’s Barber Shop, became the first person to reveal their election plans when he announced on Jan. 1 that he will run for mayor.

Maltin, who went to Ottawa in Febuary 2022 to cut the hair of those involved in the so-called Freedom Convoy, he wants to as mayor make Medicine Hat a better place than it was last year and hire “the best lawyers” and “the best accountants” for the city.

Stephen Campbell confirmed on Thursday he was running for city council. Campbell protested Alberta’s pandemic lockdowns and masking requirements during 2020 and 2021.

He listed local crime, cost of living and rent increases among the issues he wants to address if elected.

No current member of Medicine Hat’s council has declared an intent to run for re-election.

Shila Sharps, the outspoken Medicine Hat councillor who filed a code of conduct complaint against the mayor that led to sanctions, a court case and a provincial inspection, said she hadn’t yet decided if she wanted to run again.

“At this point, I feel like I just need to focus on the remainder of our term,” Sharps said in a message to CHAT News on Thursday evening.

The councillor, who owns an immigration business downtown Medicine Hat, said she is focused on finishing out the term.

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She joins the majority of council members who remain unconfirmed at the end of the first week of the nomination period.

There are two members of councillor who have confirmed they aren’t running again.

Coun. Andy McGrogan told CHAT News in April 2024 that he has “no intention” of running again. Ramona Robins, another first-term councillor, said in June 2024 she would not attempt a return to the horseshoe.

Notably, Mayor Linnsie Clark, who has remained as a key player in ongoing division at city hall, has not yet confirmed if she will try to keep her job.

Neither has Robert Dumanowski, Darren Hirsch, Cassi Hider or Allison Knodel.

The municipal election is taking place on Oct. 20.

by Eli J. Ridder

Medicine Hat’s 2025 election nomination forms subject to updates amid Alberta government delay

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