2026 Municipal & School Board Election

You may vote in the Township of Huron‑Kinloss Municipal and School Board Election if you meet all of the following requirements on voting day.

Who can vote

You are eligible to vote if you are:

• At least 18 years old
• A Canadian citizen
• A resident of the Township of Huron‑Kinloss, or
• A non‑resident owner or tenant of property in the Township (or the spouse of such an owner or tenant)
• Registered on the voters’ list

Eligible voters may only vote once in a municipality and once for a school board, even if they own or rent more than one property.

Who cannot vote

You are not eligible to vote in a municipal election if you are:

• Serving a sentence of imprisonment in a penal or correctional institution
• Convicted of a corrupt practice related to an election and prohibited from voting
• A corporation

You cannot vote on someone else’s behalf under a power of attorney or in any other representative capacity.

Special circumstances

Students: Students may vote in the municipality where they are temporarily living while attending school, as well as at their permanent home address in another municipality, provided they do not change their permanent residence.

Electors without a permanent address: If you do not have a permanent residence, you may still be eligible to vote. Your residence is generally the place where you most frequently sleep or eat. An affidavit may be used to confirm this information if required.

Property owners and tenants: You may be eligible to vote in Huron‑Kinloss if you own or rent property in the Township, even if you live elsewhere, as long as you meet the other eligibility requirements.

To vote, your name must appear on the voters’ list.

Even if you have voted before, it is a good idea to confirm your information to ensure your name, address, and school support designation are correct.

Check or update your information

Voters can confirm or update their information through the Province of Ontario’s online registration system at: RegisterToVoteON.ca

You can:

• Confirm you are on the voters’ list

• Update your name or address

• Add yourself if you are not listed

• Update your school support designation

Recommended deadline

Voters are encouraged to confirm or update their information by August 1, 2026 so their Voter Information Letter is mailed to the correct address.

If you miss this date, you can still update your information and vote during the voting period with assistance from the Township.

Voter Information Letters

Eligible voters on the voters’ list will receive a Voter Information Letter by mail before the voting period begins. This letter includes your secure PIN and instructions on how to vote.

Your school support designation determines which school board trustee candidates appear on your ballot.

Every residential property in Ontario is linked to a school board, even if you do not have children.

What is school support?

Property owners and tenants may choose which school board they support

If no choice is made, support defaults to English‑Public

School support affects school board elections only, not municipal races

Important deadline

To ensure your ballot is correct for the 2026 election, school support designations should be reviewed and updated by June 1, 2026.

How to update school support

The Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) manages school support information.

Property owners and tenants can review or update their school support designation online through MPAC’s School Support Designation page.

Online updates and registrations may take up to 24 hours to process.

The Township of Huron‑Kinloss uses internet and telephone voting for the municipal and school board election.

Voting period

Opens: Monday, October 19, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.
Closes: Monday, October 26, 2026 at 8:00 p.m. (Election Day)

You may vote at any time during the voting period.

What you need

Before voting begins, eligible voters will receive a Voter Information Letter with:

• A secure personal identification number (PIN)

• Instructions to vote online or by telephone

Voting by internet

You may vote online using a computer, tablet, or mobile device by following the instructions provided in your letter.

Voting by telephone

You may vote using a touch‑tone telephone by calling the number provided and entering your PIN when prompted.

Identification may be required if you are voting or receiving help in person at a voter help centre.

Identification is not required when voting remotely by internet or telephone using your Voter Information Letter and PIN.

When ID is required

You may be asked to show identification if you:

• Visit a voter help or assistance centre

• Update or correct your voter information in person

• Are added to the voters’ list during the voting period

Acceptable identification

You must present one document showing both your name and address. Accepted identification includes, but is not limited to:

• Ontario driver’s licence

• Ontario Photo Card

• Utility bill

• Bank statement

• Property tax bill

A full list of acceptable identification is set out in Ontario Regulation 304/13.

The Township of Huron‑Kinloss is committed to ensuring the election is accessible and inclusive for all voters.

Voter help centres

Voter help centres will be available during the voting period to assist electors who:

• Do not have access to the internet or a telephone
• Need help using the voting system
• Need assistance updating their voter information

Locations, dates, and hours will be posted closer to the voting period.

Accessibility supports

Reasonable accommodations will be provided for voters with accessibility needs, including assistance from election staff or a support person of their choice.

An Election Accessibility Plan will be published on this website.

Individuals considering running for municipal council in the 2026 Municipal and School Board Election are encouraged to attend a Candidate Information Workshop.

This practical session is designed to provide prospective candidates with a clear and realistic understanding of what serving as an elected official involves, before making a decision to run for office.

The workshop will cover:

• How municipal government works

• The roles and responsibilities of Council members

• Ethical and legal obligations of public office

• Campaign requirements, including time and financial commitments

• Expectations and realities of public service

The session is intended to help participants determine whether municipal public service is the right fit for them and to support those who choose to run in doing so confidently and responsibly.

Date: Thursday, May 14, 2026
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Bruce County Administration Centre
30 Park Street, Walkerton

The workshop will be offered in person and online.

Registration is required.

This workshop is being delivered in partnership with Bruce County, the Municipality of Arran‑Elderslie, the Municipality of Brockton, the Township of Huron‑Kinloss, the Municipality of South Bruce, the Municipality of Kincardine, the Town of Saugeen Shores, the Township of South Bruce Peninsula, and the Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula.

You may run for municipal council or school board trustee if you meet all of the following requirements:

• You are a Canadian citizen

• You are at least 18 years old

• You are a resident of the Township of Huron‑Kinloss, or

• A non‑resident owner or tenant of land in the Township (or the spouse of such an owner or tenant)

• You are not legally prohibited from voting

• You are not disqualified by any legislation from holding municipal office

Municipal candidates run as individuals. Municipal elections do not involve political parties.

Candidates may file nomination papers during the legislated nomination period:

• Opens: Friday, May 1, 2026  

• Closes: Friday, August 21, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. (Nomination Day)

Nomination papers must be filed in person with the Clerk’s Department by the closing time on Nomination Day.

Candidates must file their nomination papers before raising or spending any campaign funds.

The legislated nomination fees are:

• $200 for Mayor

• $100 for all other offices

Nomination fees must be paid at the time nomination papers are filed.

Candidates are subject to:

• Spending limits

• Campaign contribution rules

• Financial reporting requirements

Campaign finance rules are set out in provincial legislation. Each candidate is responsible for understanding and complying with all applicable requirements.

Additional information and guidance are available in the provincial Candidates’ Guide.

Required candidate forms will be made available through the Province of Ontario and the Township, including:

• Candidate Nomination Paper (Form 1)

• Endorsement of Nomination (Form 2)

• Financial Statement – Candidate (Form 4)

• Financial Statement – Subsequent Expenses (Form 5)

Candidates are responsible for ensuring they use the current versions of all forms.

Authoritative guidance for candidates is provided by the Province of Ontario, including:

• Candidates’ Guide for Ontario Municipal Council and School Board Elections

This guide explains eligibility rules, nomination requirements, campaign finance rules, and reporting obligations.