Running for municipal office is an opportunity to help shape the future of your community. Municipal elections in Ontario take place every four years and determine who will serve as municipal councillors and school board trustees. This page outlines the key steps, requirements, and responsibilities involved in becoming a candidate.

Who Can Run For Office?

To run for a position on council, you must:

• Be eligible to vote in that municipality.
• Be a Canadian citizen
• Be aged 18 or older, on the day you file your nomination
• Not be otherwise disqualified under the Municipal Elections Act

You must meet all eligibility requirements on the day you file your nomination. For example, a person who is 17 years old but will turn 18 before nomination day must wait until they have turned 18 to file their nomination.

To run for a school board trustee position on a school board, you must:

• Be a resident within the jurisdiction of the board
• Be a Canadian citizen
• Be 18 or older
• Meet any other qualifications to vote for the school board (for example, being a Roman Catholic, or holding French language rights).

Who Cannot Run For Office?

The following people are disqualified from being elected as a member of council, or from holding office as a member of council:

• 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
• a candidate who failed to file the necessary financial statement or exceeded the prescribed spending limit in the last municipal election or by-election

Township of South Stormont Employees

• Employees of the Township of South Stormont who wish to run for Mayor or Councillor must take an unpaid leave of absence before filing a nomination paper.
• The employee must provide a copy of the documentation showing that they have taken the leave of absence and the effective date.

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

• 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
• a candidate who failed to file the necessary financial statement or exceeded the prescribed spending limit in the last municipal election or by-election

School Board Employees

• Employees of any school board (including supply teachers) are disqualified from being elected as school board trustee or from holding office on any school board, except during a leave of absence.
• The employee must be on a leave of absence before filing their nomination paper.
• They must provide the Clerk with documentation showing that they have taken the leave of absence and the effective date.

Filing Your Nomination

All candidates must file a Nomination Paper (Form 1) with the municipal clerk. Depending on the office you seek, you may also need an Endorsement of Nomination (Form 2). These forms are available below, as well as from your municipal clerk or the Government of Ontario’s Central Forms Repository.

Nomination Fees

• $200 to run for head of council
• $100 for all other positions

Fees must be paid to the clerk at the time you submit your nomination form. Your nomination fee will be refunded if you file your campaign financial statement by the deadline.

Your Nomination is Official When:

• All required forms are submitted
• The nomination fee is paid
• The clerk certifies your nomination

Candidate Information Packages

Candidate Information packages are available for pick up at the Township office during regular office hours (8:30am - 4:30pm, Monday to Friday).

Candidates must book an appointment to file their nomination documents. To schedule an appointment, contact the Clerk’s office by email at vote@southstormont.ca or by phone at 613‑534‑8889.

Withdrawing Your Nomination

If you decide to withdraw your nomination, you must notify the clerk in writing by the close of nominations: Friday, August 21, 2026 by 2:00 PM.

Even if you withdraw your nomination, you are still required to file a campaign financial statement covering all the financial transactions you made in your campaign.

If your campaign did not have any financial transactions, you must file a financial statement reporting this. Your nomination fee will be refunded by the clerk if you file your financial statement by the deadline.

More Information

For more information on running as a candidate, please refer to the Province’s 2026 Candidates’ Guide – Ontario Municipal Council and School Board Elections: 2026 candidates’ guide — Ontario municipal council and school board elections | ontario.ca

Resources

South Stormont Candidate Information Guide

Form 1 – Nomination Form

Form 2 – Endorsement of Nomination Form

Form 4 – Financial Statement – Auditor’s Report Candidate

SDG Election Sign Letter & By-law

South Stormont Signs By-law 2024-066 (excerpt)