There were ten aldermen on city council, but three of the positions were already filled: George Pheasey, William Martin, and Charles Grant were all elected to two-year terms in 1916 and were still in office.
[3] There were seven trustees on the public school board, but three of the positions were already filled: Joseph Duggan, C. Frost, and William Rea had all been elected to two-year terms in 1915.
The same was true of the separate board, where Joseph Gariépy, M. J. O'Farrell, and G. W. Curtis were all continuing.
[4][5] Hyman King announced that he would be running for an aldermanic seat but he withdrew his nomination before election day.
As each voter could cast multiple votes, there was no direct competition between Esdale and Prevey.