Rural Municipality of Cartier

Municipal Election 2026 
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Important Dates

New Ward Boundary Map

• The new ward boundaries ensure that each ward has a balanced number of residents, promoting fair and effective representation.
• This will affect where you vote.
• To confirm your 2026 Ward, please contact the RM office.

Information for Voters

Voters List
Additions to Voters List 

• We are updating the Voters List for the upcoming Municipal Election. To ensure that your name is on the voters list, please contact the RM office at info@rmofcartier.ca.
• If you are a student living elsewhere temporarily while attending post-secondary and will return home to Cartier at the end of term, you are eligible to vote.
• If you own more than one property, your name will only appear on the List of Voters once. 
• If you own property in more than one Ward, you must vote in the Ward in which you reside. 

Qualification of Voters

• A Canadian citizen
• at least 18 years of age on Election Day; and
• a resident or landowner of the RM of Cartier for at least six months on Election Day

RM of Cartier Advance Voting for All Voters

Election Day Voting Station Map 
Voting stations will be open on October 28, 2026. The number and locations of voting stations will be determined following the close of nominations and will be announced closer to Election Day.

Voting by Mail
Voters who are unable to attend a voting station in person are encouraged to contact the RM Office as soon as possible to request a sealed envelope/mail-in ballot. Ballots will be prepared after the close of nominations and mailed to all eligible voters who have registered to vote by mail.

Information for Candidates

If you have any other questions about running for the election, we encourage you to contact an Assistant Senior Election Official (SEO) at the Municipal Office and we would be happy to answer your questions.

Interested in Running in the Election?  What You Need to Know

The Province of Manitoba created a Guidebook for those interested in running in the Election, that information along with other generic information about voting and the election can be found here:
Candidates Guidebook (EN)
Guide des Candidates (FR)

Qualification of Candidates

• A Canadian citizen
• At least 18 years of age on Election Day
• A resident of Manitoba
• A voter in the municipality in which you are seeking office.  (To qualify as a voter you must be a resident or property owner in the municipality for at least six months before Election Day – April 28, 2026)

Candidate Registration (May 1 - September 22, 2026)

• Registration allows candidates to spend money towards your campaign and accept donations
• Candidates planning to spend funds as part of their campaign should consider opening a separate bank account for campaign-related transactions. A separate bank account is required if cash donations are to be accepted by the candidate. If election finances are reviewed or challenged, records associated with the campaign may become public, and using a separate account can help protect personal banking and credit card information.
• While Councillors are elected to represent their respective wards, once elected they have a responsibility to act in the best interests of the RM as a whole.
• Registration Form (Form 11A) must be signed and filed in person at the RM Office
• Registration is not required for the LUD of Elie election
• Candidates do not have to run for election in the same ward that they live in. For example, a Candidate can live in Ward 3 South and run for election in Ward 5 Lido Plage.
• Candidates can change their selected Ward during registration. For example, a Candidate that originally chooses to run in Ward 1 St Eustache can choose to change to Ward 2 Central.
• Once registration has been confirmed by the SEO, candidates are eligible to receive a Voter’s List.

Nomination (September 16 - September 22, 2026 at 4:30 pm)
Notice of Nomination 

• Nomination papers (Form 13) must be filed in person at the RM Office for all positions (Mayor, Councillor, and LUD).
• Nomination papers must be signed by eligible voters. The required number of signatures is based on the number of voters in the LUD of Elie, in each ward (Councillor), and At Large (Mayor). The minimum number of required signatures for each office will be listed at the bottom of the Voters List provided by the RM. The names and addresses must match those on the Voter’s List.
• Candidates are encouraged to collect additional signatures beyond the minimum requirement, as some signatories may later be determined to be ineligible.
• All Candidates’ nomination papers must disclose any offences that they have pleaded guilty to, or been found guilty of, under The Criminal Code (Canada), The Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (Canada), The Income Tax Act (Canada), and The Income Tax Act (Manitoba). The SEO must publish these disclosures on the elected authority’s website (see listing of candidates below).
  1. Candidates do not have to declare any offences under The Youth Criminal Justice Act (Canada), The Young Offenders Act (Canada), or any offence for which they were granted a pardon under the Criminal Code.
• A candidate's Declaration of Qualification (Form 14) must also accompany the nomination papers.
• Candidates can file their Registration and Nomination at the same time during the Nomination period.
• Candidates cannot change Ward once nominated.

Registered Candidates

Withdrawing a Nomination
A candidate may, up until 24 hours after the nomination period ends, withdraw his/her nomination papers (Form 19). A declaration signed by the candidate must be submitted to the SEO, who will accept the withdrawal only if a sufficient number of candidates remain for the number of offices to be filled.

Candidate Documents
By-Law 1607-10 – Campaign Expenses 
By-Law 1694-22 - Council Remuneration and Indemnities 
By-Law 1695-22 – Municipal Resources 
By-Law No. 1726-25 - Ward Boundaries 
How to: Section-Township-Range 
Memo to registered candidates from Ernie Epp (dated April 6, 2026) 
Form 11A - Candidate Registration 
Form 13 - Candidate Nomination 
Form 14 - Declaration of Candidate 
Form 19 - Candidate Withdrawal

Filing of Election Finance Statements

• All registered candidates must complete and file an Election Finance Statement. 
• This requirement applies whether you are elected, not elected, elected by acclamation, do not get nominated, withdraw your nomination, or have no campaign financial activity. 
• Even if you do not accept contributions, incur expenses, fundraise, or borrow money for your campaign, you are still required to submit an Election Finance Statement.
• Deadline determined by the municipality no later than 210 days (May 26, 2027) after the election. Administration will be in touch to get this statement completed before the deadline.
• If a candidate does not complete an Election Finance Statement, they will be disqualified from running in the next general municipal election as well as any by-election prior to then.

For more information on the Elections process you may contact
Senior Election Official: Ernie Epp – ernie.epp@waytogoconsultinginc.ca
Chief Administrative Officer: Michael Lackmanec – info@rmofcartier.ca or Phone: (204) 353-2214

Election Workers Ad Posting

• The RM is seeking election officials for the 2026 Municipal Election. 
• Workers must be available on Election Day (October 28, 2026) for up to 14 hours and attend a paid training information session prior to the election. 
• The RM will reach out after September 22 when nominations close to see how many workers we require.

Election Results
AMM Municipal Elections website - MBvotes.ca (results and data dashboard)
Click on All Districts (Select Central)
Select Cartier (Rural Municipality)

Frequently Asked Questions

What Am I Really Voting For?
Municipal government is the closest level of government to the people. While it may be made up of friends, neighbours, and colleagues, its role is vital to the success and growth of our community.

Municipal councils are given a broad range of powers by the Province. Elected officials must follow these guidelines while also shaping the future of the community through planning and decision-making.

What is a Mayor? What is a Councillor? What is a Local Urban District (LUD) Member? 

• A Mayor (previously known as Reeve) is the head of council and elected by the entire RM (At Large). They chair meetings and represent the RM at official functions, but they only get one vote, just like each Councillor.
• 5 Councillors (elected by individual Wards) make decisions for the betterment of the whole municipality, represent residents, and help shape policies and services.
• LUD members, elected by residents and property owners of Elie, carry out powers delegated to them by the RM Council. The LUD taxes itself separately from the rest of the RM for certain localized services.

Does Elie receive double representation because it is both a Ward and an LUD?

• No, the two groups have different roles and responsibilities.
• The Ward elects one Councillor to RM Council, which governs the entire municipality. 
• The LUD of Elie is a committee elected by Elie residents to oversee community-specific projects and services. 
• While Elie residents elect representatives to both bodies, the LUD is not a second council and does not provide additional votes on RM Council decisions. 

What are the Responsibilities of Council?
Council is responsible for setting the municipality's overall direction. This includes establishing policies and passing by-laws that guide municipal operations and decision-making in a fair, consistent, and transparent manner.

Council members are also responsible for:

• attending Regular and Special Meetings
• participating in annual budget and financial plan discussions
• providing oversight and direction for roads, drainage, dust control, municipal facilities, recreation services, fire protection, and other Rural and At-Large services throughout the municipality
• considering subdivision, rezoning, variation, and conditional use applications
• and helping shape the future growth and priorities of the municipality.

While Council establishes policy direction, the day-to-day operations of the municipality are carried out by Administration under the direction of the Chief Administrative Officer.

What are the Responsibilities of the LUD?
The LUD of Elie is responsible for identifying and recommending priorities that enhance the quality of life within the community of Elie. The LUD develops an annual Service Plan and makes recommendations to RM Council regarding local programs, projects, and services carried out under powers delegated by Council.

LUD members are also responsible for:

• attending monthly LUD meetings and occasional Council meetings to make presentations
• reviewing and recommending local projects and community initiatives
• participating in the development of the annual Service Plan and budget requests
• providing input on drainage, streets and sidewalks, snow removal, parks and trails, beautification, and other community amenities within Elie
• and representing the interests and concerns of Elie residents

While the LUD helps guide local priorities within Elie, it operates under the authority of RM Council. Recommendations and Service Plans submitted by the LUD are subject to review and approval by Council.

What is the Time Commitment?

• Council and the LUD are elected to a four-year term ending in October 2030. The new term officially begins at noon on October 29, 2026.
• Serving on Council requires a significant time commitment that can vary throughout the year depending on projects, budget discussions, and community matters.
• Council members are expected to attend two Regular Council Meetings each month (one in August).
• Council members are also expected to review agendas and reports in advance of meetings. Preparation time can range from several hours per meeting, depending on the complexity of the agenda.

Committee Appointments and Other Responsibilities
In addition to regular meetings, Council members are typically appointed to committees and boards where the RM has representation. These meetings may occur monthly, quarterly, or on an as-needed basis, and are often scheduled in the evenings. Such as:

Council members are also regularly involved in:

• community events and celebrations;
• public hearings;
• meetings with residents;
• conferences and training sessions;
• and discussions regarding municipal services and concerns.

Residents may contact Council members by phone, email, or in person. Serving on Council often means being approachable and available to the public, both during and outside formal meetings.