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 

• The Voters List is now closed.
• To ensure that your name is on the voters list, please contact the RM office at info@rmofcartier.ca.
• If you are not on the Voters List, but meet the below Qualification of Voters, you can still vote! You will just be required to take an Oath of the Voter at the Voting Station. You will then be added to the Voters List for the next election.
• 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.

Notice of Election 

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.
Form 26 Application to Vote by Sealed Envelope for 2026 
Form 26 Application to Vote by Sealed Envelope for 2026 Ordinary Residence

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)
AMM Municipal Elections Resource Hub

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)

Registered and Nominated Candidates as of September 22, 2026 at 3:02 pm

Nomination Signatures required per Office:

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: Valorie Unrau – valorie.unrau@waytogoconsultinginc.ca
Chief Administrative Officer: Michael Lackmanec – info@rmofcartier.ca or Phone: (204) 353-2214

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.