Become a Member of Council

Interested in running in the next Municipal Election?

Municipal elections in Nova Scotia are held every four years. The Next election will take place in October 2024.

** Please note: the 2020 election has now concluded. The following details are for informational purposes only. **

Residents of Trenton, like all Nova Scotians, will choose their Municipal representatives on October 17, 2020. In addition to choosing a Mayor for the Town, voters will elect four (4) Councillors, each elected for a four-year term. Trenton voters elect the Mayor and Councillors, while the Deputy Mayor is selected and appointed through a Council motion annually. Councillors do not represent a specific district or ward, but rather each serves the Town as a whole.

If you are considering running in a municipal election, we recommend that you start by reading the pdf Candidate Information Guide (356 KB)  to learn general information, key dates, and more. 

Who can run in a municipal election?

To qualify to run as a candidate in a municipal election (mayor or councillor), you must be:

  • 18 years of age at the time of nomination
  • a Canadian citizen
  • ordinarily resident in the Town of Trenton for six months preceding nomination day, and continue to so reside

There are several disqualifications, for a complete list please consult the Candidate Information Guide (link above) or view the Municipal Elections Act, (MEA) Section 18.

For candidates:  pdf Municipal Elections 101 (126 KB)  

Nomination Process

You become an official candidate by filing your nomination papers with the Returning Officer. Nomination papers can be picked up at the returning office (packages with nomination papers and other info will be available at each town office after August 07, 2020) or they can be downloaded from the Elections Pictou County website: www.electionspictoucounty.ca

Nomination day for candidates is September 8, 2020.

On this day, potential candidates can visit the Returning Office, which is located in the upstairs of the Municipality of Pictou County's Administration Building at 46 Municipal Drive, Pictou, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on a first come first serve basis. Candidates must have their nomination papers in order.

In addition, you can also contact Returning Officer Josephine MacDonald for an appointment to file your nomination papers between Thursday, August 27, 2020 to Friday, September 4, 2020 from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM. She will be in the following municipal units on these days for appointments:

  • Aug, 27: Municipality of Pictou County Administration Building (MOPC candidates)

  • Aug. 28: Town of Pictou Town Hall (Pictou candidates)

  • Aug. 31: Town of New Glasgow Town Hall (New Glasgow candidates)

  • Sept. 1: Town of Stellarton Town Hall (Stellarton candidates)

  • Sept. 2: Town of Westville Town Hall (Westville candidates)

  • Sept. 3: Town of Trenton Town Hall (Trenton candidates)

  • Sept. 4: Municipality of Pictou County Administration Building (open to all candidates)

Please book your appointment now with the returning officer if you are interested in filing your nomination papers these days. She can be reached by emailing  or by calling 902-485-2248. No appointments are necessary if you are filing your nomination papers on Tuesday, September 08, 2020 as it is a first come first serve basis on this day. Social distancing rules are in place at all town halls and the MOPC administration buildings and masks must be worn.

Any time after August 1, 2020through August 28, 2020, an elector may call the returning office to see if their name is on the voters list if not they can be added (will require detailed information). 

Candidate Nomination Package

Returning Officer

Anyone who has moved, name change or has turned 18 should contact the returning office.

If you have questions or require assistance, contact the Returning Officer for the Town of Trenton:

Josephine MacDonald, Returning Officer

Additional Information for Prospective Candidates

For more information for voters and candidates, please visit this special website created for Elections Pictou County.

The Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities has a website dedicated to the election which you can visit by clicking here.

LocalDecisions.ca - In the Spring of 2016, Springtide teamed up with the Department of Municipal Affairs to deliver three full-day campaign schools. Many of the sessions were captured on video and posted online at LocalDecisions.ca

More information for voters about Canadian Democracy

Nova Scotia Dept. of Municipal Affairs - New Municipal Councilors Guide