Elections

You can vote if you are:

• A Canadian citizen
• At least 18 years old on election day
• Living in Wilmot, or own or rent property here, or are the spouse of an owner or tenant in Wilmot

Make sure you're on the voters' list.

See the Information for Voters section below to find out how, when, and where to vote.

If you care about your community and want to make a difference, you can run for office. To be a candidate, you must be:

• A Canadian citizen
• At least 18 years old
• Living in Wilmot, or own or rent property here, or are the spouse of an owner or tenant in Wilmot
• Not legally prohibited from voting
• Not disqualified by any legislation from holding municipal office

See the Candidate Information section below to learn about the role of Council, candidate eligibility, and the steps required to run for municipal office in Wilmot. Guides, forms, and resources will be posted as they become available.

You can vote if you are:

• A Canadian citizen
• At least 18 years old on election day (October 26, 2026)
• Living in Wilmot, or own or rent property here, or are the spouse of an owner or tenant in Aylmer

You cannot vote if you are:

• A person who is serving a sentence of imprisonment in a penal or correctional institution
• A person acting as executor or trustee in any other representative capacity, except as a voting proxy in accordance with section 44
• A person who was convicted of the corrupt practice described in subsection 90(3), if voting day in the current election is less than five years after voting day in the lection in respect of which he or she was convicted

Make sure you're on the Voters' List. Check the List now.

1. You can use the Elections Ontario's Voter Registration portal to:
   • Confirm your voter information
   • Update your name or address
   • Add yourself if you're missing
   • Remove outdated information
   • Register property-based eligibility
2. Verify Your School Support Designation
   • The deadline to update your school support designation through the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) was June 1, 2026. You can still review your current school support information online. Check your school support designation online.
   • If your school support designation is incorrect after June 1, 2026, please contact the Township of Wilmot during the voting period to update your voter information before casting your ballot.
   • Whether you own or rent your home, your property is linked to a school board - even if you don't have children or your children aren't currently attending school. You're not required to make a designation but you do have the option to choose which school board you support. If you don't make a choice, your support will default to the English-Public school board.

The voting period is Friday, October 16, 2026 to Monday, October 26, 2026 at 8:00 p.m.

Eligible electors may vote in the 2026 Municipal Election using one of the following methods:

• Internet Voting – Vote online from any location with internet connection during the voting period using the information provided in your Voter Information Letter (VIL).
• Paper Ballot Voting (In-Person) – Vote in person at your designated voting location on Voting Day.

Internet Voting

Internet voting allows eligible electors to cast their ballot online during the voting period. Instructions for accessing the online voting system, including your unique voting credentials, will be provided in your Voter Information Letter (VIL).
 
Paper Ballot Voting (In-Person)
Electors who choose to vote using a paper ballot must attend their designated ward voting location on Election Day, Monday, October 26, 2026, between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Paper ballot voting is available on Election Day only.

Your designated voting location will be identified in your Voter Information Letter (VIL). Electors must vote at the voting location assigned to the ward in which they reside.

Voting Locations:
Ward 1
New Dundee Community Centre
1028 Queen Street, New Dundee

Ward 2
St. Agatha Community Centre
1791 Erb's Road, St. Agatha

Ward 3
Wilmot Recreation Complex
1291 Nafziger Road, Baden

Ward 4
Forest Glen Public School
437 Waterloo Street, New Hamburg

Special Voting Location (Residents Only)
Nithview Home
200 Boullee Street, New Hamburg
 
An elector can also vote online by accessing a Voting Kiosk at the following location:

Voter Help Centre (no paper ballots)
Administrative Complex
60 Snyder’s Road West, Baden

• Friday October 16 starting at 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
• Monday October 19 – Friday October 23 during regular office hours (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. )
• Monday October 26 (Voting Day) starting at 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.

No filings have been received at this time.

Two to be elected.

Following the adoption of the Better Regional Governance Act, 2026, on May 7, 2026 the Regional Chair is now a Provincially appointed position and will not appear on the ballot. No nominations for this position may be filed or accepted. Any nominations received prior to the passing of the Act are deemed withdrawn. 

Three to be elected.

Four to be elected.

One to be elected.

One to be elected.

Learn about the role of Council, candidate eligibility, and the steps required to run for municipal office in Wilmot. 

Free Candidate Information Sessions

The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) offers free online workshops to help prospective candidates learn about municipal government and what to expect as a member of council. Visit AMO’s website to learn more and register.

The following offices will be elected during the 2026 Municipal Election:

• Mayor
• Township Councillors
• Regional Chair
• School Board Trustees

Information about ward boundaries, school board jurisdictions, and regional governance will be posted here as it becomes available.

Resources:

• Ward Map

Members of Council are responsible for representing residents, setting municipal policies, and making decisions about local services and programs.

Learn more about the responsibilities of elected officials:

• Provincial Municipal Candidates' Guide

To be a candidate, you must be:

• A Canadian citizen
• At least 18 years old
• Living in Wilmot, or own or rent property here, or are the spouse of an owner or tenant in Wilmot
• Not legally prohibited from voting
• Not disqualified by any legislation from holding municipal office

Resources:

• Provincial Municipal Candidates' Guide
• AMO Candidate Workshops and Resources: Visit AMO’s website
• AMCTO Candidates Guide to Accessible Elections

Nomination Period

• Opens: May 1, 2026
• Closes: August 21, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.

Candidates must submit the required forms, identification, and nomination fee at the time of filing. 

Candidates must file nomination papers with the Municipal Clerk.

Book an Appointment

Appointments will be available beginning May 1, 2026. You can book an appointment with the Clerk by:

• Phone: 519-634-8519, ext. 9228
• Email

Nomination Fee

There is a $200 nomination fee for Mayoral candidates and a $100 nomination fee for Councillors.

The nomination fee must be paid when you file your nomination paper. Payments can be made by:

• Cash
• Certified cheque or money order payable to “The Township of Wilmot”
• Debit

The filing fee is not considered a campaign expense, but rather, a personal expense, and will be returned to you upon successful filing of your campaign financial statement.

• Wilmot Candidate Information Package
• Candidate Information Checklist
• Nomination Paper – Form 1
• Endorsement of Nomination – Form 2
• Declaration of Qualification
• Notice of Collection & Consent to Release Personal Information

Candidates are responsible for managing campaign finances in accordance with the Municipal Elections Act. The Act outlines requirements related to:

• Campaign period
• Campaign bank accounts
• Contributions to a campaign
• Spending limits
• Financial reporting requirements

Resources:

• Financial Statement – Auditor’s Report, Candidate – Form 4
• Notice of Financial Statement Filing Requirements – Mayor
• Notice of Financial Statement Filing Requirements - Councillor
• Letter to a Financial Institution
• Preliminary Certificate of Maximum Campaign Expenses
• Notice of Penalties and Corrupt Practices

Important election dates include:

• Nomination Period Opens – May 1, 2026
• Nomination Day – August 21, 2026 (2:00 p.m.)
• Advance Voting – October 16, 2026
• Election Day – October 26, 2026
• Candidate Financial Statements Filing Date - December 31, 2026

Candidates are responsible for complying with Township policies and by-laws related to election activities.

Relevant documents include:

• 2026 Municipal Election Procedures
• Region of Waterloo - Notice of Police Record Check (candidates for Mayor)
• Withdraw Nomination Form (blank)
• Appoint Scrutineer (blank)
• Candidate’s Nomination Sign-Off
• Sign By-Law
• Sign By-Law Fact Sheet
• Use of Municipal Resources During an Election Policy
• Use of Municipal Resources During an Election Policy Highlights for Township Employees
• Municipal Election Recount Policy
• Code of Conduct
• Social Media Directive

You must register as a third-party advertiser before paying for any advertisements so voters can see:

• who is speaking, and
• who is funding the message.

Registration ensures transparency and fairness during elections by requiring advertisers to follow spending limits, maintain a campaign bank account, and file financial statements.

You are eligible to become a third-party advertiser if you are:

• An Ontario resident
  Example: A resident of Wilmot who wants to place paid ads supporting or opposing a candidate.
• A Corporations doing business in Ontario
  Example: A local small business owner whose corporation is registered and active in Ontario.
• A Trade union with bargaining rights in Ontario
  Example: A trade union representing employees that wishes to comment on school board trustee elections.

You can book an appointment with the Clerk by:

• Phone: 519-634-8519, ext. 9228
• Email

• Third Party Advertiser Registration Checklist 2026
• Notice of Registration - Third Party Advertiser
• Declaration of Qualification - Third Party Advertiser
• Notice of Collection-Consent to Release Personal Information
• Financial Statement - Third Party Advertiser
• Notice of Penalties and Corrupt Practices - Third Party Advertiser
• Notice of Financial Statement Filing Requirements - Third Party Advertiser
• Letter to a Financial Institution - Third Party Advertiser Bank Account 
• Calculation of Third Party Advertiser Preliminary Maximum Expenses

Resources:

• Provincial Third Party Advertiser Guide

Important election dates include:

• Registration Period Opens – May 1, 2026
• Registration Deadline – October 23, 2026
• Advance Voting – October 16, 2026
• Election Day – October 26, 2026
• End of Advertising Period – December 31, 2026