2026 MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS

NOTICE TO MUNICIPAL ELECTORS OF THE COUNTY OF LANARK

This notice is for anyone proposing to be a candidate in the 2026 municipal and school board elections on October 26, 2026. Nominations for the positions listed below must be made on the prescribed form available at your Municipal Clerk’s Office. Nomination forms must be filed, with the prescribed declaration by at least 25 persons (excluding Montague), either in person or by your agent, with the Returning Officer of the appropriate municipality during that office’s normal office hours between Friday, May 1, 2026 to Thursday, to August 20, 2026, and between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on Friday, August 21, 2026 (Nomination Day).

The required filing fee for the Head of Council is $200.00 and all other offices are $100.00 (cash, debit, certified cheque or money order made payable to the appropriate municipality or by an electronic method of payment that the Clerk specifies) must accompany the signed form. Full details on the procedures to be followed may be obtained from the appropriate Municipal Clerk.

Download the NOTICE OF NOMINATION FOR OFFICE

• Candidate must be a resident of the Township of Drummond/North Elmsley or a non-resident owner or tenant of land in the Township of Drummond/North Elmsley or the spouse of such non-resident owner or tenant;
• a Canadian citizen
• at least 18 years old;
• not legally prohibited from voting;  and not disqualified by any legislation from holding municipal office.
• You will need 25 signatures on your nomination form and must pay a fee of $100 ($200 for mayor).

Despite the above, the following people are disqualified from being elected as a member of Council or from holding office as a member of Council:

• an employee of the Municipality unless he or she takes an unpaid leave of absence beginning the day they are nominated and resigns if elected to the office;
• a judge of any court;
• a member of the Provincial Legislature, the Federal House of Commons or Senate who has not resigned from their office by the close of nominations. Proof of resignation must be provided by the close of nominations or the Clerk will not certify the nomination; and
• a candidate who failed to file the necessary financial statement(s) in the last Municipal election or by-election.

• is a Canadian citizen; is at least 18 years old;
• is a resident of board's area of jurisdiction;
• is a supporter of that school board; and
• is not prohitibed from voting.

Despite the above, the following people are disqualified from being elected as a school board trustee or from holding office on any school board:

• an employee of the school board unless he or she takes an unpaid leave of absence beginning the day they are nominated and resigns if elected to the office;
• a clerk, treasurer, deputy-clerk or deputy-treasurer of any municipality within the area of jurisdiction of the school board except those on an unpaid leave of absence;
• a member of the Provincial Legislature, the Federal House of Commons or Senate who has not resigned from their office by the close of nominations. Proof of resignation must be provided by the close of nominations or the Clerk will not certify the nomination; and
• a candidate who failed to file the necessary financial statement(s) in the last Municipal election or by-election.

Municipal Candidates

Prior to the deadline, an individual can become a candidate by filing the following information with the Returning Officer, beginning  May 1, 2026 during regular business hours:

• the prescribed Nomination Paper form 
• the prescribed declaration by at least 25 persons endorsing the nomination who are eligible to vote 
• a Declaration of Qualifications 
• a completed Consent to Release Personal Information
• the prescribed nomination filing fee of $200 for the office of Reeve and $100 for the office of Councillor

The candidate or the agent filing the nomination form is required to present proof of identity and residence. Nomination forms can be submitted up until Friday, August 21, 2026.  Candidates must make an appointment to file their nomination papers with the Clerk.

Candidate's Guide

The Ministry of Municipal Affairs produces a Candidates' Guide to provide information to candidates in municipal and school board elections. 

Trustee Candidates

Nomination forms for school board Trustee positions, may be filed with the appropriate Returning Officer as follows:

Campaign spending limits will be available in the nomination package available at the Municipal Office.

Candidates are not allowed to spend money to campaign or ask for or accept contributions before filing nomination forms.

The first day that nominations can be filed is Friday, May 1, 2026.

Nomination Day (the deadline to file a nomination) is  Friday, August 21, 2026 at 2:00 p.m..

Key Dates

For a complete list of Key Dates, visit the Important Dates section of the website.

Who Is Running?

As nominations are received, the Meet the Candidates page will be updated beginning  May 1, 2026.

These are just of a few of the important dates for 2026 Municipal and School Board Election candidates. We strongly advise you to consult the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 for further information.

Friday, May 1, 2026

• Nominations Open for Reeve, Council and School Board Trustee Candidates

Friday, August 21, 2026

• Nomination Day, last day for filing between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
• A candidate who wishes to withdraw their nomination must notify in writing before 2:00 p.m.

Tuesday, September 1, 2026

• Voters’ List available to candidates

Tuesday, September 1, 2026 to Monday, October 26, 2026 (Election Day)

• Revisions period (during which voters can make changes to their information on the Voters’ List with the municipality)

Monday, October 19, 2026 to Monday, October 26, 2026:

• Electronic Voting Period (24/7)

Monday, October 26, 2026

• Election Day (voting open until 8:00 p.m.)

As soon as possible after Election Day

• Official Declaration of 2026 Election Results 

November 15, 2026

• Term of Office commences

December 31, 2026

• End of campaign period

Friday, March 26, 2027

• Deadline to file financial statement for period ending December 31, 2026 

Once you have filed your Nomination Paper, you are officially able to begin campaigning for office and incurring campaign expenses.  All candidates will receive acces to Intelivote’s Candidate Module which assists registered candidates and their campaign workers by providing up-to-date statistics and information throughout the duration of a campaign.  By entering an authorized username and password, candidates have access to a list of electors who are eligible to vote in the office for which they are running.   For this reason, all candidates who register will require an email address in order to gain access to the Portal.

As noted above, we are not able to provide advice to candidates and we encourage you review the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 to satisfy yourself of your obligations and responsibilities under the Act.

Candidates may withdraw their Nomination by filing in person a withdrawal in writing on “Withdrawal of Nomination” Form with the Clerk before 2:00 p.m. on Nomination Day, Friday, August 21, 2026.

• AMO - Lead Where You Live - A Guide for Running for Municipal Council

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