Halfway through summer, most of us aren’t thinking too much about the fall and this November’s municipal election.
But if you’re thinking about running as a candidate, the weeks are running out for you to begin planning your campaign.
Judging by recent elections, most municipalities are in dire need of more names on the ballot to spark interest among voters. If you care about where you live and want to make a difference in even one aspect of your community, consider putting your name forward as a candidate for council, school board or mayor. Qualifications are far from onerous. If you’re 18 or older, a Canadian citizen and have lived in B.C. you’re pretty much OK to run. You’ll need to keep track of election-related expenses and contributions and have at least two people willing to nominate you.
There are a few other rules to know if you do get serious about running. It’s also a good idea to understand that life can seem crazy once everyone’s on the campaign trail.
Traditionally, municipal election season kicks into full gear after Labour Day. The thinking is that most of us can’t be bothered to ponder the issues affecting our communities when the weather’s warm and we’re busy planning upcoming holidays or invites to backyard barbecues. We’re a little more willing to do our civic duty and tune into local issues once the kids are back in school and summer vacation is behind us. Make no mistake though, savvy politicians know they’ll have to hit the ground running once we return to the routines that signal September’s arrival.
If you’ve ever thought about participating in politics, now is the time to make sure you’re ready when the silly season arrives.
—Black Press
