Deadline to register to run in October's municipal election in Hamilton is Friday

As the deadline to register to run in this fall's municipal election looms, there are now multiple candidates registeredto runfor city councilin all but one of Hamilton's ridings.

If no one else runs in Ward 6, longtime Coun. Tom Jackson will be acclaimed onMonday at 4 p.m., according to a timeline posted on the city's website.

"Ihave never had an acclamation," said Jackson, who has held the role since 1988, in an email to CBC Hamilton.

Anyone looking to run for the positions of mayor, ward councillors and school trustees have until 2 p.m., Friday to file their nomination papers at City Hall. After that, people can't register to run in the election or withdraw from running.

The nomination package that mayoral and councillorcandidates must submit includes 25 "declaration of endorsements." There's also a nomination filing fee for all candidates $200 for mayoral candidates and$100 for councillor or school board trustee candidates.

Nomination fees are refunded to candidates once they file the required financial statement according to thecity's website.

Those filing their papers between now and Thursday must make an appointment with the city clerk's office to do so.

Friday, however, is more of a free-for-all, with nomination packages accepted anytime between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.

"Packages from candidates who arrive after 2 p.m. on nomination day will not be accepted," states the city website.

New mayor may get stronger powers

The mayor's chair, soon to be vacated by Fred Eisenberger, is one of many seats on council that will be filled by someone new after October's election.

Ontario premier Doug Ford recently announced he is considering giving "strong mayor" powers to cities throughout the province.

LISTEN:Why Ford thinks 'strong mayor' powers can help solvehousing issues

The powerswould allow mayors to increase their relative influence by letting themveto some bylaws in opposition to provincial priorities.

Mayors currently have one vote on council, the same as a ward councillor, and must deliver on their agenda through cooperation with councillors.

The government hasproposedintroduced thestrong mayor legislationinToronto and Ottawa.

Hamilton has 2new mayoral candidates

Hamilton has six mayoral candidates, two of which are new to the race.

Paul Fromm identifies with"white nationalism,"a racist ideology that promotes either white-only or white-dominated citizenry. Fromm, who has supported groups that promote Holocaust denial and homophobia, recently submitted his nomination papers for the mayor's job. He received 706 votes when he ran for the role in 2018.

Fromm told CBC he has attended numerous anti-lockdownand "freedom"rallies since the start of the pandemic anddescribed himself as a "proud supporter" of the truck convoy that blockaded Ottawa for several weeks earlier this year.

Solomon Ikhuiwu has also recently registered to run for mayor. He also didn'trespond to questions fromCBC Hamilton.

The other mayoral candidates are:

• Andrea Horwath: Former Ontario NDP leader and city councillor.
• Bob Bratina: Former mayor, Liberal MP and city councillor.
• Ejaz Butt: Veteran taxi industry leader and immigrant from Pakistan.
• Keanin Loomis: Former president and CEO of the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce.

The open ward races, in which the current councillorshave said they won'trun, are in wards 4, 5, 11, 12 and 15.

Despite media reports that he planned to run again, Ward 14 Coun. Terry Whitehead has not yet filed his nomination papers. He is currently away from council on a sick leave.

Many school board races have just 1candidate

As for school board trustees, at least one person has filed their papers to run for each role, except for that of the French trustee for the Viamonde school board.

But multiple school board trustee seats have just one candidate in them, which could lead to multiple incumbentsbeing acclaimed including:

• Ward 3 public school board trusteeMaria Felix Miller.
• Ward 4public school board trusteeRay Mulholland.
• Ward 7 public school board trustee and chairDawn Danko.
• Ward 1, 2 and 15 Catholic school board trusteeMark Valvasori.
• Ward 3 and 4Catholic school board trustee Ralph Agostino.
• Ward 5Catholic school board trustee Aldo D'Intino.
• Ward 7Catholic school board trustee and chair Pat Daly.
• Ward 8 and 14Catholic school board trusteeJohn Valvasori.
• Ward 12 and 13Catholic school board trusteePhil Homerski.
• French trustee for theConseil Scolaire Catholique MonAvenirMarcel Levesque.

The active campaign period, when lawn signs are allowed, starts Sept. 26, with voting day Oct. 24.