2026 Municipal & School Board Elections

You are eligible to vote in the municipal election in the Municipality of Adelaide Metcalfe if you meet the following requirements:

• You are a Canadian citizen.
• You are at least 18 years old on voting day.
• You qualify to vote in the Municipality

There are three ways you can qualify to vote in a municipality: 

1. As a resident elector if you live in the municipality. You may own, rent, live in shared accommodation where you do not pay rent or live in the municipality but do not have a fixed address. Being a resident elector is the most common type of eligibility.
2. As a non-resident elector if you own or rent property in a municipality, but it’s not the one where you live. You can be a resident elector in only one municipality. However, you can be a non-resident elector in any other municipality (or municipalities) where you own or rent property.
3. As the spouse of a non-resident elector if your spouse owns or rents property in the municipality or municipalities other than the one where you live.

If you are not certain whether you qualify as a non-resident elector please check with the Clerk.

Students:

If you consider your permanent home to be the place where you live when you are not attending school and attend to return there when you are not in school, you may be eligible to vote in both that “home” municipality and the municipality where you currently live while attending school, provided you meet the voter eligibility requirements for each.

Register Future Voters: 

The Ontario Register of Future Voters allows eligible 16-17-year-olds to pre-register so they are automatically added to the Voters’ List when they turn 18. 

Visit Register of Future Voters to learn more. 

As of January 1, 2024, the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) is no longer responsible for collecting voter information for municipal elections. However, MPAC is required to collect school support information.

Property owners in Ontario must designate support for a school system, even if they do not have children or if their children do not currently attend school. This designation appears on your Property Assessment Notice.

You can update your school support designation through MPAC’s Online School Support Tool. Changes for the 2026 Municipal Election must be submitted before June 1, 2026. To learn more about school support, visit the MPAC website.

A person is eligible to submit a nomination for office by meeting the following requirements:

• a resident of the municipality or a non-resident owner or tenant of land in the municipality or the spouse of such non-resident owner or tenant;
• a Canadian citizen and at least 18 years old; not legally prohibited from voting; 
• and not disqualified by any legislation from holding municipal office.

Please note that the following people are disqualified from holding office as a member of council:

• an employee of the municipality unless they take an unpaid leave of absence beginning the day they are nominated, and resign if elected to office;
• a judge of any court;
• a Member of Parliament, a Member of Provincial Parliament, or a Senator; or
• a candidate who failed to file the necessary financial statement(s) in the last municipal election.

The Township will begin accepting nomination submissions starting on May 1st, 2026 - please book an appointment with the Clerk (Office Hours - Monday to Friday, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm).

REQUIRED FORMS

Please complete but do not sign the forms. The forms must be signed at the Municipal Office in front of the Clerk or their designate when the Nomination Forms are received.

1. Nomination Paper (Form 1)
2. Declaration of Qualifications
3. Notice of Collection/Consent to Release Personal Information
4. Declaration of Proper Use of Voters Lists

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

In addition to these forms, you will need to bring the following to you appointment with the Clerk:

• Photo Identification and Proof of Residence (See applicable ID)
• Nomination Filing Fee (paid by cash, debit, certified cheque or money order, payable to the "Township of Adelaide Metcalfe". Note that personal cheques and credit cards are not accepted)
  • The filing fee is $100 for Councillor and $200 for Mayor
  • Nomination fess are refunded to candidates once they file the required financial statement(s)

Registrations can be accepted by the Clerk, or designate, between the first day for filing nominations, Friday, May 1, 2026, to Friday, October 23, 2026. You or an agent must file this form in-person by appointment with the Clerk. You must provide proof of identity, and if you are representing a corporation or trade union you may require a resolution authorizing you to act on their behalf. The Clerk will review these requirements when you book your appointment.

What is Third Party-Advertising?

A third-party advertisement refers to an advertisement in any broadcast, print, electronic or other medium that promotes, supports or opposes a candidate in the election, or a "yes" or "no" answer to a question on the ballot.

Ontario residents, corporations and trade unions that will incur expenses for such advertisements must register as a third-party advertiser with the Clerk before they can begin advertising during a municipal election.

What isn't Third Party-Advertising?

• Advertisements by or under the direction of a candidate
• Issues-based advertising during the election period (with the exception of advertising that has the purpose of promoting, supporting or opposing a “yes” or “no” answer to a question on the ballot)
• Advertising that does not cost money to post or broadcast, such as comments made on social media
• Messages distributed by:
  • an individual to their employees
  • a corporation to its shareholders, directors, members or employees
  • a trade union to its members or employee

Who can register as a Third-Party Advertiser?

Only the following persons and entities are eligible to file a notice of registration:

• An individual who is normally a resident in Ontario.
• A corporation that carries on business in Ontario.
• A trade union that holds bargaining rights for employees in Ontario.

Who cannot register as a Third Party Advertiser:

Persons and entities that are not eligible to file a notice of registration include:

• A candidate whose nomination has been filed under Section 33 of the Municipal Elections Act.
• A federal political party registered under the Canada Elections Act (Canada) or any federal constituency association or registered candidate at a federal election endorsed by that party.
• A provincial political party, constituency association, registered candidate or leadership contestant registered under the Election Finances Act.
• The Crown in right of Canada or Ontario, a municipality or local board.

Involvement of a candidate in Third Party Advertising

Third party advertising must be done independently of candidates, who are not able to direct a third party advertiser. If a candidate wishes to purchase or direct their own election campaign advertising, they must follow rules under the Municipal Elections Act, 1996  and identify themselves on their advertisements.

Advertising Requirements

Third party advertisements must contain the following information:

1. Name of the registered third party advertiser
2. Municipality where the third party advertiser is registered
3. Telephone number, mailing address, or email address at which the registered third party advertiser may be contacted regarding the advertisement

If you believe that a Third-Party Advertiser has contravened the Municipal Elections Act, please contact the Municipal Office.

Documents:

• 2026 Third-Party Advertisers' Guide (Ontario)
• Notice of Registration - Third-Party Advertiser (Form 7)
• Financial Statement - Auditors Report Third-Party (Form 8)
• Financial Statement - Subsequent Expenses (Form 5)
• Notice of Extension of Campaign Period (Form 6)

The 2026 Municipal Election Accessibility Plan, Policies and Procedures support the Municipality’s commitment to the needs of persons with disabilities. 

For information on accessible elections, please review the Accessible Municipal Elections Guide published by the Province of Ontario in partnership with the Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario (AMCTO).