Information for Candidates - 2026 Elections

The eight municipalities of the United Counties of Prescott and Russell invite individuals interested in running as a candidate or registering as a third party advertiser in the 2026 municipal elections to attend a free bilingual training session offered by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

This information session will provide an overview of the rules, responsibilities, and requirements related to the municipal election process.

Event Details:

• Who: Anyone interested in running as a candidate or registering as a third party advertiser in one of the eight municipalities of the United Counties of Prescott and Russell: Alfred-Plantagenet, Casselman, Champlain, Clarence-Rockland, Hawkesbury, Hawkesbury East, La Nation and Russell. The training and provided materials will be bilingual.
• When: Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
• Where: Community Hall, St-Isidore Recreation Centre – 20 Arena Street, St-Isidore
• Duration: 1.5 hours
• Registration: To participate, please email your name and the municipality where you intend to submit your nomination to elections@nationmun.ca by 4:00 p.m. on April 20, 2026.
• Cost: Free

We encourage anyone interested to attend in order to obtain the information needed to properly prepare for the 2026 municipal elections.

 

The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) has launched its province-wide campaign, When You Believe, They Believe, to showcase the everyday leadership of Ontarians and how it can translate into municipal office. 

Visit whenyoubelieve.ca to learn more. 

This campaign specifically includes a list of events you can attend.

To be completed by a person wishing to be a candidate in a municipal or school board election. Must be filed with the clerk of the municipality responsible for conducting the election, along with the prescribed fee.

Nomination Paper - Form 1

The requirement to submit Form 2 with 25 nomination signatures does not apply to candidates running for school board trustee positions.

• Candidates must obtain 25 original signatures.
• An individual providing an endorsement signature must be a Canadian citizen, aged 18 or older and have a qualifying address in the Town of Hawkesbury. An individual may sign an endorsement for more than one person seeking nomination.
• The qualifying address provided must include the postal code.

Endorsement of Nomination - Form 2

To be completed by an individual, corporation or trade union that wishes to incur expenses for a question on a municipal ballot. Must be filed with the municipal clerk.

Notice of Registration - Third Party - Form 7

Nomination and registration periods begin on May 1, 2026 for the Offices of Mayor, Councillors and School Board Trustees.

Nominations will be received by the Clerk at any time between May 1, 2026 and August 20, 2026 during regular business hours (Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. - closed noon to 1p.m. for lunch), and on August 21, 2026 between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. (Nomination Day).

Nomination Day: Friday, August 21, 2026 (9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.)

Deadline to withdraw a nomination: Friday, August 21, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.

Filings or registrations are accepted Monday, May 1 to Friday, October 23, 2026 to register a third-party advertiser during regular business hours (Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. - closed noon to 1p.m. for lunch).

Lame Duck Period (Restricted Acts for Council)

Clerk will certify candidate nomination papers (by 4:00 p.m.).

Candidates elected by Acclamation to be declared (after 4:00 p.m.).

Voters' List to be reproduced and available to certified candidates by request; A person may submit an application to have their name added to or removed from the Voters' List until Voting Day.

First day to post election campaign signs (must adhere to the Municipal elections sign By-law N° 22-2010, as amended).

Interim list of changes to Voters' List provided to certified candidates by request.

Last day to provide to Certified Candidates:

• Final certificate of applicable maximum expenses
• Certificate of applicable maximum amount of contributions to a candidate's own election campaign
• Certificate of applicable maximum amount for parties, etc., after voting day

Last day to provide to Registered Third Parties:

• Certificate of applicable maximum expenses
• Certificate of applicable maximum amount for parties, etc. after voting day

Last day for Council to establish a Compliance Audit Committee for the 2026-2030 term of office.

During the voting period, electors will be able to vote in person at the kiosk located at the Robert Hartley Sports Complex.

Clerk to officially declare the results and provide information to the public on the number of votes, declined and rejected ballots.

 End of election campaign period for candidates and registered third parties.

Deadline for candidates and registered third parties to file their initial financial statements and auditor’s reports (by 2:00 p.m.).

• Have an understanding of municipal campaign finance provisions;
• Demonstrate analytical decision-making and excellent communication skills;
• Have experience working with or as a member of government boards, task forces and/or quasi-judicial bodies;
• Have flexibility to attend meetings during daytime and evening hours;
• Applicants with a background in accounting, auditing, law, election administration, and/or public administration are preferred;
• Applicants cannot be candidates in the 2026 Municipal Election;
• Can't have committed to providing professional advice to any person running for office in any municipality located within the United Counties of Prescott and Russell; and
• Applicants also cannot be Members of Council or current employees of any municipality located within the United Counties of Prescott and Russell.

Information about how to submit an application to join the committee will be provided later in 2026.

In accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, the information gathered is collected under the authority of the Municipal Act, R.S.O. 2001, c. M.25 and will be used to select a candidate. In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, all municipalities agree to recognize the different needs and to provide an accessible place to all.