The 2026 Municipal and School Board Election will be held on October 26, 2026. The term of office for candidates elected in 2026 will begin on November 15, 2026, and end on November 14, 2030.
Individuals interested in seeking elected office as Mayor, Councillor, or School Board Trustee can find information on this page regarding eligibility requirements, nomination procedures, important dates, forms, and election resources.
Municipal Council Positions
You may be eligible to run for Mayor or Councillor if you:
- Are a Canadian citizen;
- Are at least 18 years of age;
- Reside in Ontario; and
- Are not prohibited from holding municipal office under any law.
Additional eligibility requirements may apply under the Municipal Elections Act, 1996.
Positions Open for Election
- Mayor – One position
- Ward 1 – Vankleek Hill Councillor – Two positions
- Ward 2 – L'Orignal Councillor – Two positions
- Ward 3 – Longueuil Councillor – Two positions
- Ward 4 – West Hawkesbury Councillor – Two positions
Important
A person may only run for and hold one elected municipal office at a time. Filing a nomination for a second office automatically withdraws any previous nomination. If a person appears on the ballot for more than one office and is elected, the election may be declared invalid and the office deemed vacant.
Filing a Nomination
Nomination papers may be filed with the Clerk between May 1, 2026 and August 21, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. Nominations are accepted during regular office hours and on Nomination Day between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Appointments are required and take approximately 15 minutes.
Identification Requirements
Identification must be provided when filing nomination papers. If a nomination is submitted by an agent, identification must be provided for both the candidate and the agent.
Nomination Endorsements
Candidates for Mayor and Councillor must submit endorsements from 25 eligible electors using the prescribed form. School Board Trustee candidates are not required to submit endorsement signatures.
| Office | Fee |
|---|---|
| Mayor | $200 |
| Councillor | $100 |
| School Board Trustee | $100 |
Fees may be paid by cash, certified cheque, money order, or another payment method approved by the Clerk.
School Board Trustee Candidates
Individuals interested in running for School Board Trustee must file their nomination with the municipality responsible for their school board electoral district.
Select the appropriate school board below to view the municipalities represented and contact information for the municipality responsible for receiving nominations.
The Township of Champlain receives nominations for the Conseil scolaire de district catholique de l'Est ontarien on behalf of residents of the Township of Champlain and the Township of East Hawkesbury.
Third Party Advertisers
Individuals, corporations, and trade unions wishing to support or oppose a candidate or issue through advertising must register as a Third Party Advertiser.
The registration period runs from May 1, 2026 to October 23, 2026.
Registration must be completed by filing the prescribed Notice of Registration - Third Party (Form 7) with the Clerk.
Election Forms
The Province of Ontario provides the official forms required for municipal elections and third party advertising registration.
Note: You will be redirected to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing of Ontario's website. The secure and fillable PDF forms are provided by the Province of Ontario and require the free Adobe Acrobat Reader software.
Form 1 – Nomination Paper
Form 2 – Endorsement of Nomination
Form 4 – Financial Statement and Auditor's Report
Form 7 – Notice of Registration for Third Party Advertisers
Key Dates
| Event | Dates | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Nomination Period | May 1 to August 21, 2026 (2 p.m.) | Nominations for the Offices of Mayor, Councillors and School Board Trustees are accepted during regular office hours. |
| Third Party Advertiser Registration Period | May 1 to October 23, 2026 | Registration period for individuals, corporations, and trade unions acting as third party advertisers. |
| Lame Duck Period | August 21 to November 14, 2026 | Restricted Acts for Council |
| Nomination Day | Friday, August 21, 2026 | From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. |
| Nomination Withdrawal Deadline | August 21, 2026 (2 p.m.) | Final deadline for candidates to withdraw their nomination. |
| Certification of Nominations | August 24, 2026 | The Clerk certifies nominations (by 4 p.m.) and declares any candidates elected by acclamation( after 4 p.m.) |
| Voters' List Available and Election Signs Permitted | September 1, 2026 | The voters' list becomes available to certified candidates and election signs are permitted (see Sign By-law 2013-15) |
| Interim Revisions to the Voters' List | September 20 to 30, 2026 | Updated revisions to the voters' list are available to certified candidates. |
| Campaign Expense Limits Issued | September 30, 2026 | Final campaign spending and contribution limit certificates are issued. |
| Compliance Audit Committee Deadline | October 1, 2026 | Final date for Council to establish a Compliance Audit Committee. |
| Voting Period | October 21 to 26, 2026 | Voting takes place by Internet and telephone. |
| Election Day | October 26, 2026 | Voting closes at 8:00 p.m. |
| Official Results | October 27, 2026 | The Clerk declares the official election results. |
| Beginning of New Council Term | November 15, 2026 | The new term of office begins for elected members. The Inaugural Meeting will be held November 16, 2026 |
| Campaign Period Ends | December 31, 2026 | The campaign period ends for candidates and registered third parties. |
| Financial Statement Filing Deadline | March 30, 2027 (2:00 p.m.) | Deadline to file financial statements and auditor's reports, where required. |
Compliance Audit Committee
Municipalities located within the United Counties of Prescott and Russell will be recruiting experienced professionals for appointment to their 2026 Municipal Elections Joint Compliance Audit Committee.
The Committee is independent of the municipalities and is required by the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 to consider applications requesting audits of candidates' campaign finances. Committees may be required to appoint auditors and determine if legal proceedings are required as a result of the auditors' reports.
The Committee's term of office is four years, beginning on November 15, 2026.