Nomination period now open for the 2026 municipal and school board election
By Stacey Sullivan
The nomination period for the 2026 municipal and school board election is now open, marking the official start of the campaign season for candidates across Ontario.
Residents planning to vote, or run for municipal office, can now begin preparing for the election, which will take place on Monday, October 26, 2026. Key dates and deadlines for both candidates and voters in the Township of Selwyn are outlined below.
Running for office
To run for the office of mayor, deputy mayor, councillor, or school board trustee, individuals must file a Nomination Paper. Until a Nomination Paper is filed, candidates are not permitted to raise or spend money on their campaign.
Candidates running for the position of mayor, deputy mayor, or councillor must also provide at least 25 endorsement signatures from eligible electors using the prescribed form.
The nomination period runs from May 1 to August 21, 2026.
Nomination papers can be filed at the Selwyn Township Municipal Office, 1310 Centre Line, Selwyn, from May 1 to August 20, Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., and on August 21 between 8:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
On March 31, 2026, the City of Peterborough and local municipalities hosted an information session for those interested in running as a candidate in the 2026 municipal election. A recording of the session can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/VwwVFIPTYlc?si=C0HMgQIPsb7LtbXB
Anyone interested in running for office in the Township of Selwyn can find more information and nomination forms here: https://www.selwyntownship.ca/local-government/election/candidate-information
Voting
The Township will offer online and telephone voting for the 2026 municipal and school board election. Voting will open on October 13 at 10:00 a.m. and continue until Election Day, October 26, with voting closing at 8:00 p.m. Electors can vote at any time during the voting period.
Residents are asked to confirm or update their information through the Register to Vote website by August 13, 2026.
To confirm you are on the Voters’ List and that your information is up to date, visit: www.registertovoteon.ca. To log in, you will need to provide your full name, date of birth, and either your property address or assessment roll number.
Voting in Selwyn Township will begin on October 13, 2026.
Prior to the election, eligible electors will receive a personalized Voter Information Letter (VIL), which will include everything needed to vote, including:
The website address and toll-free phone number for voting
A unique personal identification number (PIN)
Instructions for casting a ballot
All votes are encrypted to ensure privacy and confidentiality.
Computers and telephones will be available for public use at the Selwyn Township Municipal Office, 1310 Centre Line:
Tuesday, October 13 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
October 12 to 23 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (weekdays only)
Election Day: Monday, October 26 from 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Public computers are also available at all three Selwyn Public Library branches during regular hours of operation:
Bridgenorth Branch, 836 Charles Street, Bridgenorth
Ennismore Branch, 551 Ennis Road, Ennismore
Lakefield Branch, 8 Queen Street, Lakefield
Technical and voting “how-to” support is not available at these locations.
School board designation
Residents are also encouraged to review their school support designation ahead of the election. This designation determines which school board receives the education portion of property taxes and is used to prepare the Voters’ List for school board trustee elections. Those wishing to make a change must do so by June 1, 2026. Updates can be completed through the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation website at https://www.mpac.ca/en/MakingChangesUpdates/ChangingSchoolSupport.
For more information on the 2026 election, visit: https://www.selwyntownship.ca/local-government/election/ or https://www.ontario.ca/document/2026-voters-guide-ontario-municipal-council-and-school-board-elections.