Candidate must be:

  • 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 and;
  • Require 25 signatures on your nomination form and pay required fee of $100 - Deputy Mayor/Councillor, or $200 - Mayor

Procedures

If you are interested in running for municipal office, you can file nomination papers starting May 1, 2026. Nomination day is August 21, 2026. Additional information is available in the Municipality of Central Elgin Municipal Election Procedures.

The election campaign period begins on the day a nomination for office is filed. A contribution shall not be made to or accepted by or on behalf of a person unless he or she is a candidate.

If you are interested running for Council, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) offers education materials for candidates. Details for the Healthy Democracy Leadership Series can be found HERE