How to run for Council in Regina

On the day you file your nomination paper for councillor in Regina, you must be:

• A Canadian citizen.
• At least 18 years old.
• A resident of Regina, OR a non-resident owner or tenant of land in Regina (or the spouse of one).
• Not legally disqualified from running.

Councillors in Regina vote on by-laws, the annual budget, and local services like parks, transit, and zoning. They are the most direct point of contact between residents and city hall.

Filing happens at the local Returning Officer, in person during regular office hours and on nomination day until 2:00 PM. You'll need to bring:

• Nomination paper, signed in the presence of the clerk or a commissioner of oaths.
• 25 voters (cities ≥ 20,000) or 5 voters (smaller cities and towns) from eligible electors of Regina.
• Government-issued photo ID showing your name and qualifying address.
• Filing fee: None at the provincial level. Some municipalities charge a nominal fee by bylaw.

• Low spending floor: Regina mayoral races have run at a fraction of the spending cap for years — even competitive 2024 races stayed well under $30 K. Don't budget for Toronto-scale spending; budget for mailers, signs, and a good ground game.
• First-time candidate wins mayoralty: Bachynski's 2024 win is a strong signal that incumbency is *not* a lock in Regina.
• Sign bylaw: election signs permitted on private property during the campaign period; not allowed on public boulevards. Confirm the current City sign-bylaw version with the Clerk's Office before printing.
• Mail-in ballots: available on request; Regina uses electronic counters at polls but no online voting.
• Advance polls: 5+ days, 10+ locations.

Voters in Regina also choose:

• Mayor — At-large. **Chad Bachynski** elected Nov 13, 2024 with 31.5 % of the vote (defeating Lori Bresciani 24.89 % and incumbent Sandra Masters 23.12 %). First-time political candidate.
• Public School Trustee — Regina Public Schools — Mix of ward and at-large.
• Catholic Separate Trustee — Regina Catholic Schools — At-large; Catholic supporters only.
• CSF Trustee — Province-wide francophone division.

• Regina elections page
• Saskatchewan 2028Candidates' Guide
• The Local Government Election Act, 2015

Considering a different office? We have plain-English guides for every position on the Regina ballot:

• How to run for Mayor in Regina
• How to run for School Trustee in Regina
• Browse every Canadian municipality