Yukon municipalities join the ranks of other jurisdictions with fall elections the third Thursday in October. New candidates are starting to surface for the three-year term, and the incumbents are making decisions about putting themselves forward for another term, or not.

What can we expect?

Unlike other jurisdictions, Yukon has a more balanced outcome in terms of gender. In 2015, 48% of the elected municipal and Local Advisory Councils were women. The number has dropped to 45% due to by-elections. A 50% turnover is not unexpected, but the gender ratio will probably remain the same.

We are often asked what our secret is. What tools do we use, how do we promote, and what groups do we work with? My answer is not very satisfactory, "It is just the way it is." No extra efforts. People in your community ask you to step up, based on your profile and accomplishments on various committees and organizations. As women are in leadership positions already, the progression is natural.

Campaigns are generally low key, with no, or miniscule, budgets in the smaller areas. Unlike larger centers where you do not know your candidates, it is easy to meet them all, and some are probably family members. The gentlemen here will definitely cast a vote for qualified ladies, which may be part of the imbalance problem seen elsewhere.

Why do people want to run again? Often you hear the desire to "Finish what we started." Seasoned elected officials know the steep learning curve encountered in the first term. Strategic planning, identifying budget priorities, asset management, land planning issues, and evaluating the CAO may be totally new to some Councillors.

Some people run to promote their profile for other orders of government, and some will say they do it for the honorarium. A few run on one issue, and once that is resolved have little interest in the other problems. Most run to offer their services to the residents, feeling they can wisely contribute to the difficult discussions on where to spend the scarce tax dollars.

After being in public service for a term or more, others have had enough of public life. The workload is often more extensive than planned, and the amount of reading can be overwhelming. The Number One complaint heard across Canada about elected colleagues is those arriving at meetings without reading the documents provided by staff; undoubtedly not the type of recognition to strive for. Acrimonious relationships among Councillors may be another reason for stepping down, as is the often-paltry honorarium frequently less than minimum wage. Increasingly, the battering bestowed through social media is a decision maker, as it affects family members in unseen ways.

How interesting it would be to have a national survey to ferret out the reasons for stepping aside.

Becoming a candidate needs some forethought. What is your motivation? Do you have time? Have you asked friends if they think you would make a good Councillor? Do you have obligations to a political party? Are you running for the right order of government, or confusing territorial issues with those of the municipality? Are you preparing in advance by reading the Municipal Act, and attending Council meetings to learn the process? Have you talked to current Councillors to see what they wished they had known at the beginning of their term? Can you respect your colleagues without agreeing with them? (Your teammates for the term are like relatives you do not get to pick them, and difficulties will definitely arise).

Certainly there is lots to consider, pros and cons.

Once elected, give it your best there should be no half measures. You will be rewarded.