People who are interested in running for municipal office in October can officially begin filing their paperwork with the nomination period officially underway.
Amanda Passmore, the Chief Election Officer with the City of Kamloops says people can book 20 minute meetings until the close of the nomination period at 4 p.m. on Sept. 9.
“This meeting isn’t a legislated mandatory meeting but we come in and review their documents. We sign off their declaration and then they go on their merry way and back to campaigning,” she said.
“We want to sit down with them, go through everything and make sure they’ve got all their T’s crossed and their I’s dotted. and in case they have to get another signature or some other information, they have time to do that, and they know exactly what they have to go looking for instead of panic on September 9 running around town.”
While nearly two dozen people have indicated they will seek a council seat, coupled with five hoping to replace the retiring Ken Christian as Mayor, don’t expect an official list of candidates until Monday, Sept. 19.
“Just like anybody’s first day, a little bit of excitement on both sides and nerves but it is a big deal for everybody to have those meetings and say, ‘here is my paperwork officially,'” Passmore added, noting they will average about three to four of these appointments a day for the first few days before increasing in number.
“Unfortunately, there are no velvet ropes or horns or big announcement on the front steps. It can be a little anti-climatic but it is exciting nonetheless.”
The election campaign period officially gets underway on Sept. 17, with Election Day on Oct. 15.
“We do encourage people to call us at 250-828-3483 or email us so we can set their appointment up,” Passmore said. “I really encourage people to do it in advance, so that there is not a big rush. I mean, there will be a rush of course, but it is so that no one is running around on those last two days.”
You’ll find a list of people who have submitted their nominations for Kamloops City Council and for Area 1 of the Kamloops-Thompson School District here.
Residents of the Thompson-Nicola Regional District can find more details here.
