Elections

Wilmot Votes: 2026 Municipal Election

Wilmot’s next municipal election will be held on Monday, October 26, 2026. Electors will have the opportunity to cast a ballot for:

Mayor

Leads the Township and represents Wilmot

Regional Chair

Oversees Region of Waterloo Council and its operations

Township Councillors

Work together to make decisions and pass local by-laws

School Board Trustees

Make decisions about your local schools

Why it Matters

Municipal elections are about helping shape the future of your community. The people you vote for work together to make decisions on local issues and share your voice at the Council table.

By voting, you're choosing representatives who will listen to your concerns, set priorities for the Township, and make sure Wilmot continues to be a safe, welcoming, and growing place to live.

Your vote is one of the most direct ways to take part in local democracy and to help build a better Wilmot for everyone.

Key Dates

Nomination Period Begins Friday, May 1, 2026

Nomination Day Friday, August 21, 2026 (2 pm)

Online Voting Begins Friday, October 16, 2026

Election Day Monday, October 26, 2026

How You Can Participate

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.

How to Vote

The Township expects to offer:

  • Online voting on Election Day and during advance voting
  • In-person voting on Election Day

Details about voting methods, dates, and locations will be posted as they are finalized.

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.

Updating Your School Support

The Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) is no longer responsible for collecting voter information for municipal elections. However, MPAC is required to collect school support information.

If you own property in Ontario, you must designate support for a school system, even if you do not have children or if your children do not currently attend school. This designation appears on your Property Assessment Notice.

You can update your school support designation through MPAC’s Online School Support Tool. Changes for the 2026 municipal election must be submitted before June 1, 2026.

To learn more about school support, visit the MPAC website.

Candidate Information

If you are considering running for municipal office in the Township of Wilmot, the following information will help you understand the nomination process, campaign requirements, and key resources.

Additional guides, forms, and resources will be posted as they become available.

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:

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:

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

Additional guidance will be provided in the Wilmot Candidate Information Package.

Resources:

Candidates must file nomination papers with the Municipal Clerk.

Book an Appointment with the Municipal Clerk

Appointments will be available beginning May 1, 2026. 

Township of Wilmot – Clerk’s Office
519-634-8519 ext. 9228
Email Clerk's Office

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.

The following forms will be posted soon.

Resources:

  • Candidate Nomination Checklist (Coming Soon)
  • Declaration of Qualification – Council (Coming Soon)
  • Declaration of Proper Use of Voters List (Coming Soon)
  • Notice of Collection and Consent to Release Personal Information (Coming Soon)

The following forms are required during the nomination process and will be posted soon.

  • Nomination Paper – Form 1
  • Endorsement of Nomination – Form 2
  • Withdrawal of Nomination Form
  • Notice of Penalties
  • Additional forms will be posted as they become available.

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:

  • Wilmot Candidate Information Package (Coming Soon)
  • Financial Statement – Auditor’s Report, Candidate – Form 4 (Coming Soon)
  • Preliminary Certificate of Maximum Campaign Expenses (Coming Soon)

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:

  • Sign By-Law
  • Use of Municipal Resources Policy (Coming Soon)
  • Election Recount Policy (Coming Soon)
  • Code of Conduct
  • Social Media Directive (Coming Soon)
  • Staff Election Guide (Coming Soon)

Additional Information

More information will be available here as the election gets closer. Check back soon for:

  • Online and in-person voting information
  • How to register or update your information
  • Candidate nomination forms
  • Election guides and help documents

Election Notices

  • 2026 Municipal Election - Filing of Nominations and Candidate Campaigns

    The “Municipal Elections Act, 1996” (herein “the Act”), as amended, provides that every eligible person who wishes to be a candidate in the 2026 Municipal Election, to be held on Monday, October 26, 2026, shall file a Nomination Paper with the Municipal Clerk of the municipality responsible for the office they plan to run for.

    Nomination period opens on Friday, May 1, 2026, and closes on Friday, August 21, 2026, at 2 p.m.

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