And then there were nine.

Despite a slow start to the nomination period for the empty spot on White Rock council, the number of candidates vying for the late Mary-Wade Anderson's seat on council jumped to nine in the closing hours of Friday afternoon.

While Pat Patrella and Bruce McWilliam were the first two to throw their hats into the race, they will be joined by seven others who managed to get their nomination papers in during the final days.

Those seven are: Tom Willman, Megan Knight, Bill Lawrence, Grant O'Kane, David Chesney, Graham Wood and Scott Kristjanson.

McWilliam, Chesney and Wood also ran during the 2011 municipal election as council candidates.

Barring any nomination challenges, which are due by Tuesday at 4 p.m., the nine will be allowed to begin posting election signage on Thursday and have until Friday to withdraw without having their name appear on the ballot.

The last time there was a byelection in White Rock was in 2009, during which there were eight candidates. While there are nine candidates currently in the running, White Rock chief elections officer Tracey Arthur confirmed 14 nomination packages were picked up during the nomination period.

All nominees were required to gather signatures from 10 eligible voters as well as provide a $100 deposit in order to ensure their commitment to running.

"The reason we have that is we want to be sure the candidates are serious about moving forward with election," said Arthur leading up to the deadline. "It is a deposit so it does come back to the candidate once they have handed in their expenses for the campaign."

Arthur added that around half of B.C.'s municipalities require a deposit for their civic elections.

Election day is set for Nov. 3, while advanced votes will take place on Oct. 24, 29 and 30.

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