Hanna voters will choose one councillor in a Nov. 2 municipal by-election, but a second vacancy created since the election was called will not be included on the ballot.

Bill Paisley and Sandra Murphy are the two candidates seeking the council position currently before voters.

The Town of Hanna announced the by-election before Coun. Sandra Rorabeck resigned from council. Her departure created another vacant position, but residents will still elect only one councillor on Nov. 2.

The town says a separate by-election will be held later to fill Rorabeck’s former seat. Council is expected to decide how to proceed with that election at its Nov. 10 meeting.

The Nov. 2 result will therefore fill the position covered by the current election process, while the second seat will remain vacant until another vote is held.

An advance vote is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 29 from noon to 3 p.m. at the Hanna Town Office.

Election-day voting will take place Monday, Nov. 2 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Hanna Community Centre.

All voters must provide identification.

The town’s election page provides information submitted by Paisley and Murphy, along with municipal candidate forms and election documents.

The nomination deadline for the current by-election was Oct. 5. That election process will continue separately from the vacancy created by Rorabeck’s resignation.

Under Alberta’s Municipal Government Act, municipalities are generally required to hold a by-election when a council seat becomes vacant well before the next general election. Unless council selects an earlier date, provincial legislation sets election day 120 days after the vacancy occurs.

Hanna residents could therefore be asked to vote in two municipal by-elections within several months.

The town has not yet announced the nomination period, candidate deadline, advance voting arrangements or election day for the second vacancy. Those details are expected after council considers the matter Nov. 10.

The winner of the Nov. 2 vote will join the council after the result is confirmed and the required oath of office is completed. Filling the remaining vacancy will require a separate nomination and election process.