Elections
2025 Municipal Election Results
Municipal Election Information, 2025
The most recent municipal election in the town of Portugal Cove-St. Philip’s was Thursday, October 2nd, 2025. Casting a ballot for one Mayor and a ballot for up to six Councillors allows residents to participate in electing officials who will make decisions on behalf of the Town and its residents. In person or mail in ballot options are available for all residents (proxy certificates are permitted).
The Returning Officer is Claudine Murray, Town Clerk, and is responsible for all aspects of the Municipal Election. Contact information is [email protected], or (709) 895-8000 ext. 223.
Information available on this page – please click the highlighted links, or scroll to the sections below:
- Candidate Information
- Voter Information
- 2025 Polling Locations
- Register to Vote by Mail
- Helpful Resources and Forms
Are you on the Voters List?
To determine if you are on the Voters List, click here: voter services and registration
If you are, you may request a Vote-By-Mail kit use the following online form: vote-by-mail (only pick up option is available)
Election Staff
In preparations for the 2025 Municipal General Election, and to ensure the electoral process is successful, contract positions will be available for interested persons on polling days. Please submit your interest for the following positions to the Returning Officer:
- Deputy Returning Officer,
- Poll Clerk,
- Check-in Supervisor,
- Vote-by-Mail Supervisor,
- Door Guard.
Returning Officer: Claudine Murray, Town Clerk
Alternate Returning Officer: Tracy Simmons, Director of Corporate Services
Election Overview
Important Dates
Deadline to Request a Vote-By-Mail (VBM) Kit
Thursday, September 4th at 4:00 p.m.
via the following online form: vote-by-mail
Deadline to Return your Completed Vote-By-Mail (VBM) Kit
Via any Canada Post mailbox: Mail by Wednesday, September 24th (to guarantee it’s received in time)
Via VBM drop-box at Town Hall (back entrance): No later than Wednesday, October 1st at 8:00 p.m. (Drop off your completed VBM kit.)
Contact: [email protected]
The vote for Mayor is held in the same manor as Councillor positions, however a candidate can only be nominated for one position or the other. The Deputy Mayor is selected by the newly elected Councillors at their first Council meeting.
Voter Information
Voting
Meet the Candidates
Notice of Candidates
The following persons have been nominated for election to Council for the Municipality of Portugal Cove–St. Philip’s under the 2025 Municipal Election.
There are a total of 3 persons nominated for Mayor and 16 persons nominated for Councillor. To view the nominated candidates full bio and preferred contact information, please click the links below:
Mayoral Candidates for One Seat
- Dave Bartlett
- Johnny Hanlon
- Madonna Stewart-Sharpe
Councillor Candidates for Six Seats
- Kim Churchill
- Keith Culleton
- Karen Dawe-Hale
- Erik Fisher
- Erin Gallant
- Darryl J. Harding
- Cyril Hayden
- Janet Martin
- Dana Metcalfe
- Loretta O’Leary
- Sheldon Russell
- Krista Scott
- Robert Stapleton
- Wendy Squires-Ennis
- Jenine Tucker
- Will Gavin
Meet the Candidates
Click here to view our Elections 2025 Booklet (available after September 4th). The booklet features information on how to vote, where to vote, and bios for each of the nominated candidates.
- September 18th, 2025, 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm.
- PCSP Recreation Centre, 3 Rainbow Gully Road.
- Additional details to follow.
Candidate Information
Candidate Eligibility
Candidates are responsible for understanding all legislation concerning elections, including nomination, eligibility, campaigning restrictions, campaign finance and disclosure, election offences and prohibitions at voting stations.
A resident is qualified to be nominated as a candidate for Council who:
- is eligible to vote in an election held under the Municipal Elections Act in the municipality in which he or she or they is nominated to serve as a Councillor;
- is not in arrears of taxes or other charges payable to the municipality; and
- is ordinarily a resident for a period of 30 days before the commencement of the nomination period either in the municipality or in an area that on election day is part of a municipality.
Before you Run, Consider the Following
- Attend public Council meetings (or attend virtually via Zoom).
- Review past Council minutes, strategic plans, and annual budgets.
- Speak with past elected officials.
- Research areas of importance and become more involved in the activities of the community.
- Develop a platform (ideas, beliefs, goals).
Nomination Process
- Nominate using the official form here
- Two qualified voters must nominate you in person, and nominators must be both present at the same time.
- A $10 non-refundable fee is required upon nomination.
- Candidates will receive a Candidate Information Booklet from the Returning Officer.
- Candidates must provide a bio a maximum length of 500 words and headshot photo within 24 hours of submitting nomination.
- Nomination period will take place from Thursday, August 28th to Thursday, September 4th.
Campaigning
Campaigning is an opportunity to convince voters that you are the best candidate.
- Allowed only after official nomination if accepted (Thursday, August 28th to Thursday, September 4th).
- Candidates may begin campaigning once their Declaration of Qualification form is accepted. People hoping to be nominated may go out in the community and meet residents, or announce their intentions, as long as they are not misrepresenting themselves as a candidate. All signage must follow Section 77.(2) of the PCSP Development Regulations and Section 36.(2) of the Municipal Elections Act.
- No signs or materials within 30 meters of a polling station or Vote-by-Mail drop box.
Campaign Finance
- Submit a campaign contributions disclosure form within 90 days of the election.
- List the total amount of the contributions received by him/her/they.
- List the amount of the contributions that exceed $100, and the contributors of those amounts.
After the Election – For Successful Candidates
- Votes will be counted and shared on election night. The results will begin at 8:30 pm, and will be shared on our official Facebook page, and our website.
- If requested within 3 days of the election, a recount will occur within 3 days of request.
- Newly elected member must: sign an oath of office, declare any possible conflict-of-interest matters, and submit campaign financial disclosures.
- Council and Committee meetings begin within two weeks of the election as scheduled by the Mayor.
- Councillors will receive an information package and participate in training by the Town and the Department of Municipal and Community Engagement.
Time Commitment
- Regular Public Council Meetings: at least once per month.
- Committee Meetings: at least once per month.
Helpful Links and Forms
- Municipal Election Forms (GNL)
- FAQ (GNL)
- Guide for Election Officials
- Council Handbook-Interim Edition
- Municipal Elections Act
- Provincial Elections (Elections NL)
- Federal Elections (Elections Canada)
- Make your Mark
- View additional candidate information gathered by local community Facebook pages:
- Citizeness for Fairness Portugal Cove-St. Philips (Councillor candidate questions)
- Mayoral candidate questions
- Advisory Committee on the Environment
