A date for a By-election to replace former Rocky Mountain House town councillor Merrin Fraser has now been set.

The Town of Rocky Mountain House accepted Fraser’s resignation as councillor on Aug. 16, 2022. The Town say the Municipal Government Act (MGA) section 165 requires municipalities to hold a By-election within 120 days of an elected official position becoming vacant.

During town councils meeting on Sept. 6, council agreed to set the date for the By-election to Nov. 21, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., at the Rocky Regional Recreation Centre.

Councillor Len Phillips said “Part of the time frame and why it’s set for Nov. 21, there is a certain amount of time to allow candidates to put their names in and after that you have to have a certain amount of time for a campaign and then the election itself.”

A date for advanced voting, however, has not yet been selected by council members.

Town officials say By-election 2022 costs have not been incorporated into the 2022 budget but according to officials, costs are estimated at $5000.00 if only staff are used to run and work the election. If council chooses to hold Institutional voting, officials say additional people, training, and resources will be required.