A municipal election is the democratic process through which citizens choose their local government representatives, including mayors, councillors, and sometimes school board trustees. Provincial legislation governs municipal elections, establishing rules for voter eligibility, nomination procedures, campaign financing, and voting processes. Municipal elections in most provinces occur every four years on fixed dates, though timing varies by province. Unlike federal and provincial elections, municipal candidates typically run without official party affiliations, though informal slates exist in some communities. Voter turnout in municipal elections is often lower than other levels, despite local government's direct impact on daily life.