Although a number of people have been tooting the candidacy horn, they’re technically not official candidates of the upcoming municipal election until September.

From Sept. 4 to 10, candidates will make appointments with the municipality’s returning officer to register their nomination, followed by an open-call registration on Sept. 11, said Katherine VanBuskirk of the HRM communications office.

Sept. 12 is the last day to make changes or withdraw nomination papers, she said.

David Boyd bowed out of the mayoral race earlier this week, while former MLA Mike Savage, entrepreneur Fred Connors, former police officer Tom Martin and Dalhousie University student Matt Wornona remain in the running  for mayor.

Although Mayor Peter Kelly has not officially declared his candidacy, it’s been widely speculated that he will seek re-election.

As for council, some have said they will be seeking re-election already.

E-voting for advanced polls takes place Oct. 4 to 6 and the general election is Oct. 20.