Nominations closed on Friday for the Nov. 19 civic election with two men vying for the mayor's chair in Maple Ridge, and one woman and two men vying for the corresponding position in Pitt Meadows.

Maple Ridge mayoral candidates are Ernie Daykin, the current mayor, and Craig Ruthven, an Albion resident.

Four-term Pitt Meadows Mayor Don MacLean has decided not to run again, and two current councillors are competing for the mayor's chair, John Becker and Deb Walters. They are joined by Gary Paller also vying for the top job.

Election day is Nov. 19, but advance polls will be held in both municipalities.

Advance voting polls will take place in Maple Ridge on Saturday, Nov. 5 and Wednesday, Nov. 9 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at municipal hall, 11995 Haney Pl.

Advance voting in Pitt Meadows happens on Wednesday, Nov. 9 and Thursday, Nov. 10 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Pitt Meadows City hall at 12007 Harris Rd.

Familiar faces as well as newcomers are vying for seats on the two councils.

Three former Maple Ridge councillors have filed their nomination papers, Candace Gordon, Sandy Macdougall and Ken Stewart who also served as Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows MLA from 2001 to 2005.

Five incumbents are also running again: Cheryl Ashlie, Judy Dueck, Al Hogarth, Mike Morden, and Craig Speirs.

They are joined by Claus Andrup, Jacques Blackstone, Corisa Bell, Wendy Cook, Christian Cowley, Kiersten Duncan, Bob Goos, Gladys Hewson, Mark Kauhane, Dana Lang, Robert Masse, John McKenzie, Graham Mowatt, Carly O'Rourke, Alex Pope, Graeme Ross, Peter Tam, Elizabeth Taylor, Grover Telford, and Randy Wagner.

With two councillors in Pitt Meadows running for mayor, there are only four incumbents running: Bruce Bell, Doug Bing, Tracy Miyashita, and Gwen O'Connell.

Former councillor Janis Elkerton is also running.

There are eight other council candidates in Pitt Meadows: John Clancy, George Coghlan, Gay Conn, Michael Hayes, Rick Kreklewetz, David Murray, Charm Prophet, and Mike Stark.

There are five seats reserved for school board trustees from Maple Ridge, and two from Pitt Meadows.

In Maple Ridge, three current trustees are running again: current board chair Ken Clarkson, Susan Carr, and Dave Rempel.

Former trustee Kathy Marshall is also running. In addition, there are seven other candidates: Gary Cleave, Cherie Delainey, Mary Flavelle, Mike Murray, Michelle Neale Larose, Melanie Scott, and Rod Smelser.

In Pitt Meadows, there are three candidates for the two positions: Marcela Boggio, Sarah Nelson, and incumbent Eleanor Palis.

The District of Maple Ridge and the City of Pitt Meadows have information about the civic election. Go to www.mapleridge. ca or www.pittmeadows.bc.ca and click on the Be A Voter icon.

Both websites have information about how to register to vote.

It's also possible to register to vote on voting day or on the advance voting days.

Anyone qualified to vote as a resident elector at advance voting or on voting day may register at any designated voting place.

Two documents that show identification and place of residents are needed. One of the documents must have the voter's signature on it.

Alternatively, one can register with two documents with identification - one must have a signature. In addition, the voter must sign a solemn declaration with their place of residence.

*** The Thornhill Community Association is organizing an all-candidates meeting for Maple Ridge candidates who haven't held office before. It will be held on Nov. 1 starting at 7 p.m. at the Thornhill Community Hall, 26007 98th Ave. It will include a panel discussion, question period, and some time for socializing with the candidates.

In addition, a Candidates Democracy Fare will be held at The ACT on Oct. 29 to introduce the candidates to the community. It is tentatively set from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

mrantanen@mrtimes.com