Municipal elections

Municipal and Conseil scolaire acadien provincial school board elections are held every 4 years. Municipal campaign schools prepare potential candidates with the skills and resources they need to run for municipal office.

About municipal elections

The Department of Municipal Affairs and Housing supports municipalities to prepare for and administer municipal elections (for mayors and councillors) and Conseil scolaire acadien provincial (CSAP) elections (for provincial school board members).

The Municipal Elections Act (PDF) is the main legislation governing all elections for municipal councils and Conseil scolaire acadien elections. Mayors, councillors and Conseil scolaire acadien provincial school board members are elected on the same day for 4-year terms.

General elections are held every 4 years on the third Saturday in October. The next general municipal election is 19 October 2024. The official nomination day is 10 September 2024.

Municipal campaign schools

Collaborating with partners like the Status of Women office, municipal campaign schools prepare potential municipal candidates with the skills and resources they need to run for municipal office. This also helps reduce barriers for underrepresented groups.

The Government of Nova Scotia is partnering with Sea Change CoLab to offer 3 interactive, in-person campaign schools across Nova Scotia. During the campaign school workshops, participants will: 

  • hear from diverse local councillors about the realities of the work
  • gain knowledge on getting nominated, building your team, fundraising and running a campaign
  • practice networking, clear communication and planning next steps
  • identify supports and resources available to potential candidates

Register

Join municipal campaign school workshops in June and July 2024 to prepare for upcoming municipal elections and help promote diverse representation in local government.

Workshop agenda: Municipal Campaign School Workshop Overview / Agenda (PDF)

All workshops are from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Participants can be reimbursed for childcare (up to $25 an hour for 6 hours). Reimbursement claim forms will be provided before the event.  

Date and time

Community

Venue

Registration

15 June 2024

Sydney

Eltuek Arts Centre
(in-person only)

Register

22 June 2024

Truro

Rath Eastlink Community Centre
(in-person and online)

Register

13 July 2024

Shelburne

Shelburne Community Centre,
Guild Hall
63 King Street
(in-person only)

Register

More information about municipal elections

You can send questions about municipal elections and municipal campaign schools to .

For more information on the Campaign School for Women and resources for women and gender diverse persons interested in local government, visit Nova Scotia Advisory Council on the Status of Women - Campaign School for Women.

Contact

Department of Municipal Affairs and Housing
Municipal Elections

Related legislation

Related information