The Honourable Barry Petten, Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, is inviting people across Newfoundland and Labrador to share their ideas on how to strengthen municipal elections.
The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs is reviewing the Municipal Elections Act to look for practical ways to make municipal elections clearer, modern and more accessible for communities across the province.
Residents, municipalities, previous candidates, community partners, and other interested groups are encouraged to provide feedback on topics such as:
- Accessibility
- Voting methods
- Communication and public awareness
- Voter eligibility and identification
- Election date
- Polling stations and election procedures
- Candidate eligibility and participation
- Recounts and post-election procedures
- Modernization of legislative language
The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs is also meeting with identified interest holders as part of this review. What we hear through these discussions and public submissions will help shape a future questionnaire on engageNL.
This feedback will help guide recommendations so the legislation continues to support fair, accessible, and trusted elections for municipalities, candidates and voters.
The review and engagement process will focus on issues directly related to the Municipal Elections Act. The Act was introduced in 2001, and much of its wording comes from older legislation dating back to 1979.
The call for submissions is open until November 16, 2026. People can share their feedback online through engageNL, by email, or by mail. For further information, please call 709-729-2043.
Written submissions can be emailed to MEAreview@gov.nl.ca or mailed to:
Municipal Elections Act Review
Department of Municipal and Community Affairs
P.O. Box 8700
St. John’s, NL A1B 4J6
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“Municipal elections are one of the most direct ways people can help shape the future of their communities. As Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, I am pleased to invite residents, municipalities, previous candidates, community partners and other interested groups to take part in this important review. By listening to people throughout the province, we can work together to make municipal elections more fair, accessible, and effective for all of us.”
Honourable Barry Petten
Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs
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Learn more
Municipal and Community Affairs – Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
SNL2001 CHAPTER M-20.2 – MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS ACT
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