Potential candidates for the open seat on White Rock council have until Aug. 7 to make up their minds to run.

The nomination period closes at 4 p.m. on that day for the byelection, scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 12.

Early birds should note the nomination period opens at 9 a.m. on July 28.

The byelection was necessitated when the election of James Coleridge was overturned in B.C. Supreme Court following a challenge from former councillor Matt Todd. (Todd finished 14th in a field of 23 candidates).

Justice Laura Gerow found that Coleridge had misled voters by denying he knew the source of an e-mail discrediting opponents in last fall’s civic election.

Monday, council appointed city clerk Tracey Arthur as chief election officer, setting in motion the election schedule.

Campaign signage can go up on Aug. 13, but must be removed no later than Sept. 19.

Advance polling – which can include any eligible voter – will take place Wednesday, Sept. 2 and Thursday, Sept. 10 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day) at White Rock’s new Community Centre at Miramar Village (15154 Russell Ave.) Special mobile voting will take place Wednesday, Sept. 9 at Oceanview Care Home, Evergreen Baptist Home and Peace Arch Hospital, but will include only eligible residents and employees.

Application for mail ballot forms can be filed starting July 31. Mail ballots can be received from Aug. 26 to Sept. 10.

Polling stations on election day will be at Centennial Arena, White Rock Community Centre and Kent Street Activity Centre.

Council endorsed the idea of fewer polling stations for election day (historically election turnout is lower for a byelection) but changed the uptown location to the community centre from the suggested Star of the Sea Parish Centre, at the recommendation of Coun. Lynne Sinclair.

“I don’t know why we would pay rent for a facility when we have our own new community centre,” she said.

Council also agreed with Sinclair’s suggestion Kent Street Activity Centre be added as a polling station (which would also be at no additional cost to the city), providing greater accessibility to east-side residents.