Campaigning Restrictions

(Campaign Signs, Literature, Activities and Identification)

The information found in this section informs the candidate about the restrictions on campaign literature, campaigning activities and identification requirements. Detailed information regarding the placement of campaign signs is available. Any questions regarding the placement of signs should be directed to Customer Information and Support Services.

Campaign Literature Restrictions

Candidates cannot:

  1. No person shall print or distribute or cause to be printed or distributed in any advertisement, handbill, placard, poster, circular, pamphlet, newspaper or other paper a form of ballot printed by the returning officer, indicating or showing it to be marked for any candidate or candidates. Section (148(5)) of the Local Authorities Election Act.
  2. Use the Edmonton Elections logo, the City of Edmonton logo or heraldic emblem, the Edmonton Public or Edmonton Catholic School District logos, or anything intended to resemble these logos, unless authorized. Unauthorized use of these logos is a violation of trademark and copyright laws.

Location Restrictions on Campaigning Activities

When campaigning, you must be aware of where you may or may not campaign. For the most part, campaigning in public places is allowed. However, some restrictions apply in specific areas:

Roadways
Roadways are generally allowed, provided that candidates or workers are not located where they could pose a hazard to drivers or pedestrians.

Public and Catholic School
Candidates and campaign workers are not allowed to place signs or distribute literature in or on the grounds of district schools. If school space is rented for a campaign meeting or being used for an all-candidate forum, campaign material may be posted and distributed in that portion of the school that is rented for this purpose. All political materials must be removed from school premises at the end of any such meeting.
Edmonton Catholic Schools Administrative Policy
Edmonton Public Schools Board Policies and Regulations

City Parks
While on Parkland no person shall attach any poster, notice, advertisement or other similar item to any property except in an area designated by the City for this activity.
Section 9, Parkland Bylaw (2202)

Activities Requiring a Permit
While on Parkland no person shall leave or place any sign unless a permit has been issued by the City specifying the activity may take place on Parkland.
Section 15, Parkland Bylaw (2202)

Other Parkland Users
While on Parkland no person shall do anything that is reasonably likely to disturb the peace or enjoyment of other persons using the Parkland or interfere with the exclusive use of any area of Parkland granted to another person or group.
Section 16, Parkland Bylaw (2202)

Edmonton Transit
Unless authorized by the Manager of Edmonton Transit or his designate, no person shall sell, offer or post any newspapers, magazines, pamphlets, leaflets, printed matter or merchandise of any kind for any purpose whatsoever in Transit vehicles, Transit stations or facilities of Edmonton Transit.
Section 308, Code of Transit Passengers Bylaw (8353)

Campaigning Identification

Candidate or Official Agent Proof of Identification

The returning officer, on receiving a nomination paper, must, if requested by the candidate, provide to the candidate a sufficient number of copies of the prescribed form for the identification of an official agent, campaign workers and scrutineers for the purposes of identification under section 52.
Section 28.1 Local Authorities Election Act

On Nomination Day, the candidate and official agent may complete the prescribed forms which provides them proof of identification for election purposes. In addition, each candidate will receive a form which allows him or her to provide his or her campaign workers with proof of identifications.

Access for Candidate, Campaigners

A person to whom an enumerator, a candidate, an official agent or a campaign worker on behalf of a candidate has produced identification that meets the requirements of the regulations, indicating that the person is an enumerator, a candidate, an official agent or a campaign worker shall not:

  1. obstruct or interfere with, or
  2. cause or permit the obstruction or interference with,
    the free access of the enumerator, candidate, official agent or campaign worker to each residence in a building containing 2 or more residences or to each residence in a mobile home park.
    Section 52, Local Authorities Election Act

Offence

A person who obstructs or interferes with the free access of

  1. an enumerator,
  2. a candidate, or
  3. a campaign worker on behalf of a candidate

to a residence in a building containing 2 or more residences or to a residence in a mobile home park is, if the enumerator, candidate or campaign worker produces identification of that person’s status as an enumerator, candidate or campaign worker, guilty of an offence and liable to a fine of not more than $1000.
Section 156, Local Authorities Election Act

For more information:

Election & Census Services

16304 - 114 Avenue
Edmonton, AB 
T5M 3R8

Telephone 780-496-8008
Fax 780-498-7058
Email elections@edmonton.ca
Website (http://edmonton.ca/election)
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