The 2014 Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta leadership election was prompted by Alison Redford's announcement that she would be resigning as leader of the Progressive Conservatives and Premier of Alberta on March 23, 2014. According to the party's constitution, the process to select a new leader must take no less than four months and no more than six months from when the leader resigns. A Two-round system was chosen with September 6, 2014 set as the date for the first round of voting. If no candidate had received a majority, a second round of voting with the top two candidates on the ballot would have occurred on September 20. Unlike the 2011 leadership election a preferential ballot was not used. All party members were eligible to vote. Jim Prentice was elected on the first ballot. Because the Progressive Conservatives form the government by virtue of holding a majority of seats in the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, in accordance with convention the winner of the leadership election was appointed by the Lieutenant Governor as Premier of Alberta. In the meantime, Dave Hancock served as interim PC leader and thus Premier. To be nominated, a candidate had to gather at least 100 signatures from party members in each of the province's five regions, pay a non-refundable $50,000 deposit and be registered as a candidate with Elections Alberta. Timeline March 19, 2014 - Alison Redford announces her resignation as Premier and Progressive Conservative party leader, effective March 23. March 20, 2014 - Caucus chooses Deputy Premier Dave Hancock as interim leader and premier to hold office until a leadership election is held. March 23, 2014 - Redford's resignation takes effect. March 24, 2014 - Party executive meets to set the rules and dates for the leadership election. April 7, 2014 - Ken Hughes resigns as Minister of Municipal Affairs. April 11, 2014 - Hughes announces his candidacy. May 6, 2014 - Ric McIver resigns as Minister of Infrastructure. May 7, 2014 - McIver declares his candidacy. May 12, 2014 - Ken Hughes withdraws to support Jim Prentice's possible candidacy. May 15, 2014 - Nomination period officially opens; Prentice announces he is collecting signatures. May 16, 2014 - Prentice files his nomination papers with the required number of signatures and a deposit. May 21, 2014 - Prentice launches his campaign. May 22, 2014 - Thomas Lukaszuk resigns as Labour Minister, and announces his candidacy.