Seeking Candidates For School Boards, Health Authorities and Councils

Candidates are needed for the upcoming municipal elections this spring.

In addition to municipal councils, elections are also being held for district education councils and regional health authorities.

Chief Electoral Officer Kim Poffenroth says the races for mayor and council get all the attention and people may be unaware of the other races to fill vacancies on district education councils and regional health authorities.

“The boards and councils for the district education councils and health authorities boards are making very important decisions on programs and services that are delivered to their communities,” Poffenroth said.

Poffenroth says in a perfect world, a contest takes place for all 730 positions between district education councils, regional health authorities and mayors and councils instead of being acclaimed or unfilled.

“That’s not good for the health of a democracy, it’s really indicative of a democratic deficit if we are having acclamations and vacancies that we just have to turn around and run by-elections for come October.”

When vacancies occur on district education councils, the education minister appoints someone, meaning the local people lose their chance to choose someone to represent them.

Nominations for the municipal elections open on March 23rd and close on April 9th. Voting day is Monday, May 11th.

Poffenroth says training for election workers is already underway.

The City of Saint John is hosting an information session for 2020 municipal election candidates on Wednesday, February 19th, at 6:30 p.m. in the Saint John Free Public Library in Market Square.