Glossary of election terms

From time to time, the municipality will use election and legislative terminology that isn’t always self-explanatory. Below, you can find a collection of common election terms and their definition.

Acclaimed: To be acclaimed in an election means winning without any opposition or competition, leading to an automatic victory for the candidate.

Advance Polls: Special polling dates held before the official election day, allowing voters to cast their ballots in advance.

Electoral district boundary: Boundaries that divide the municipality into different electoral districts; the district that you reside in dictates both where you can vote during elections and which candidate for Councillor you can vote for.

Lien: A claim that someone registers against the property of a resident (e.g. for outstanding property tax bills); residents with a lien against their property are not eligible to run for Regional Council.

Nomination Day: The deadline for candidates to submit their nomination papers and fees to run for office.

Official agent: An individual appointed by candidates for Regional Council (and the Conseil scolaire acadien provincial) to act on their behalf and manage certain aspects of their campaign. Candidates can serve as their own official agent.

Polls/polling location: Physical locations where residents can cast their vote.

Returning Officer: An individual appointed to oversee and manage the administration of municipal elections. The municipality’s Returning Officer is typically the Municipal Clerk.