“Municipal councils make decisions that affect the day-to-day operations of our communities,” says Minister Sheridan. “Who you put there makes a difference. Consider putting your name forward, or encourage someone you know to make a run for municipal office.”

General elections for Charlottetown, Summerside, Stratford and Cornwall are held every four years. The most recent election for them was in 2010, with the next one set for 2014. Terms of office for the municipalities which fall under the Municipalities Act have traditionally been every three years, but in order to bring everyone onto the same electoral cycle, 69 of those 70 municipalities will have a general election this November 5, for an abbreviated two-year term of office.

As part of an awareness campaign, the department has launched a new website for these elections. Visitors to the site will find the latest information, a countdown clock, a section entitled Municipal Government 101 that details the role councils play in our communities, pages dedicated to candidate and voter information, as well as a section on women in government.

The department is actively encouraging more Islanders to put their names forward to run in the upcoming elections, and that includes boosting the number of women candidates.

“Of the seats available in the upcoming election, only 31% are currently held by women,” says Minister Sheridan. “We want to see that number increase. I really want to encourage Island women, as well as other under-represented groups, to consider putting their names forward, to ensure they have a strong voice in municipal decision-making.”

The Government of Prince Edward Island twitter and facebook accounts will alert followers whenever new information is posted to the website.

Please go to www.municipalelectionspei.ca for more information.