Candidate Information

The Township of Huron-Kinloss Council consists of one (1) Mayor, one (1) Deputy Mayor, and five (5) Councillors, all elected at large to represent the entire municipality.

The following Council offices will be filled in the 2026 Municipal Election:

Municipal Offices

• Mayor - One (1) to be elected at large
• Deputy Mayor - One (1) to be elected at large
• Councillors - Five (5) to be elected at large

School Board Trustees

Eligible electors may also vote for School Board Trustees.

The following trustee offices will be filled through the 2026 School Board Election:

• English Public School Trustee
  for the Bluewater District School Board 
• English Separate School Trustee
  for the Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board
• French Public School Trustee
  for Le Conseil Scolaire Viamonde
• French Separate School Trustee
  for Le Conseil scolaire catholique Providence

Term of Office

The term of office for members of Council and School Board Trustees is four years, from November 15, 2026, to November 14, 2030.

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.

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 Township’s Clerk.

Office Hours for Filing Nominations

Nominations may be filed during regular office hours (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) from May 1 to August 20, 2026, excluding statutory holidays or other times the municipal office may be closed.

On Nomination Day (Friday, August 21, 2026), nomination papers must be filed by 2:00 p.m.

Schedule a Nomination Appointment

Appointments are recommended to ensure that the required election officials are available to accept nomination forms.

To book an appointment, please contact:

• Email: clerk@huronkinloss.com
• Phone: 519‑395‑3735 (ask for clerk)

Before You Start Campaigning

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

To file a nomination, candidates must submit the required forms in person with the Township’s Clerk or a designated Election Official. Electronic filing is not permitted.

Office Hours for Filing Nominations

• Nomination papers may be filed during regular office hours (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) from May 1 to August 20, 2026, excluding statutory holidays or other times when the municipal office may be closed.
• On Nomination Day (Friday, August 21, 2026), nomination papers must be filed by 2:00 p.m.

What to Bring

At the time of filing, candidates must provide:

• Completed nomination forms
• Any required endorsement signatures
• Proof of identity
• The applicable nomination fee

Schedule a Nomination Appointment or Ask Questions

Appointments are recommended to ensure the required election officials are available to accept nomination forms.To schedule an appointment or ask questions, please contact the Clerk’s Department:

• Phone: 519‑395‑3735 (ask for the Clerk)
• Email: clerk@huronkinloss.com

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.

Nomination fees may be paid by cash, debit, certified cheque, or money order, payable to The Township of Huron‑Kinloss.

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.

Provincial Resources

The Province of Ontario Candidates’ Guide for Ontario Municipal Council and School Board Elections provides comprehensive information on: candidate eligibility, nomination requirements, campaign finance rules, financial reporting obligations.

The following offices will be filled in the 2026 Municipal Election for the 2026–2030 Council term:

• Mayor – 1
• Deputy Mayor – 1
• Councillors – 5 (at large)

All offices are elected for a four-year term, commencing November 15, 2026, and ending November 14, 2030.

School Board Trustee Offices

Eligible electors may also vote for School Board Trustees. The following trustee offices will be filled through the 2026 Municipal Election:

• School Trustee – Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board
• School Trustee – English Public District School Board
• School Trustee – French Language Public District School Board

School Board Trustees are elected for a four-year term, serving from 2026 to 2030.