2026 Municipal and School Board Elections

Who Can Vote?

A person is entitled to vote in a municipal election if, on Voting Day, they:

• Reside in the local municipality, or are the owner or tenant of land in the municipality, or the spouse of such owner or tenant; and
• Are a Canadian citizen;
• Are at least 18 years old; and
• Are not prohibited from voting under the Municipal Elections Act or otherwise prohibited by law

Who Cannot Vote?

The following individuals cannot vote:

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

Where and How to Vote

Voters’ List

Elections Ontario is responsible for preparing the preliminary list of electors for each municipality and school board in Ontario. You must be on the Register of Voters to cast a ballot during Municipal and School Board Elections.

Visit RegisterToVoteON.ca for information on eligibility, registration, and how to confirm, update, or add yourself to the Register.

Eligible voters will be able to vote by phone or internet from the start of advanced voting on October 19, 2026 until the end of the voting period on election day at 8:00 pm on October 26, 2026. 

More information will be released in the coming weeks regarding how to vote online, over the phone, and at the Voting Locations. 

Stone Mills Township Offices to be Elected

• One (1) Mayor
• One (1) Deputy Mayor
• Five (5) Councillors at large (no Ward system)

School Board Trustee Elections 

Nominations for School Board Trustee are accepted by the Clerk of the municipality with the most electors representing the school board district. For the 2026 Election, the municipalities responsible for each school board trustee elections are:

• English Public School Board Trustee- Loyalist Township 
• English Catholic School Board Trustee- Loyalist Township 
• French Public School Board Trustee- City of Kingston 
• French Catholic School Board Trustee- City of Kingston 

Who Can Run for Office?

To run as a Municipal or School Board Candidate, on the day the nomination paper is filed, a person must be:

• a Canadian citizen
• at least 18 years old
• a resident of the City of Thunder Bay, or an owner or tenant of land in the City of Thunder Bay, or the spouse of such person
• not legally prohibited from voting
• not disqualified by any legislation from holding municipal office 

Nomination Process

For the 2026 Municipal Election the nomination period is from May 1, 2026 to August 21, 2026. Nominations may be filed either in person or by an agent with the Returning Officer on the prescribed forms, during normal business hours between Monday, May 21, 2026 to Thursday, August 20, 2026; and on Friday, August 21, 2026 (Nomination Day) between 9:00 am and 2:00 pm.

Please see the 2026 Municipal Election Candidates' Guide for further information.

A complete Candidate's Information Package has been prepared to assist you with your submission. To set up an appointment to obtain the Information Package, or to submit your Nomination Papers, please contact elections@stonemills.com or call the Municipal Office at 613-378-2475.

Filing Fees

• Filing fee for nomination to the position of Mayor is $200.00.
• Filing fee for nominations to Deputy Mayor, Councillor or School Board Trustee is $100.00.
• Payment must be by cash, certified cheque, debit or money order payable to the Township of Stone Mills.

• The Province of Ontario Municipal Councillor's Guide that provides an overview of the roles and responsibilities of an elected member of council.  
• AMO's Lead Where You Live Guide.
• By-law 2021-1106 regulates the use of election signs in the Township.
• By-law 3523/21 Regulates the Placement of Municipal Election Signs in the County of Lennox & Addington.
• Municipal Elections Act
• Township of Stone Mills 2026 Budget

The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) is offering a series of workshops for people thinking about running for municipal office in the October 2026 elections:

• Running for Municipal Office - Everything You Need to Know as an Underrepresented Candidate
• AMO’s Healthy Democracy Leaders Series: Stronger Leaders, Stronger Communities
• An Information Session for Youth Considering Running for Municipal Office
• An Information Session for Urban Indigenous Peoples Considering Running for Municipal Office 
•  electHER Now is offering an Online Campaign School running every Tuesday in April 7:00 - 8:30 pm. 

Who can register as a Third-Party Advertiser?

A registered third-party advertiser is an individual, corporation, trade union, or other body that advertises to support or oppose a candidate or a question on the ballot for the municipal election. A registered third party is subject to many of the same requirements as that of a candidate, including filing registration papers, expense limits and financial statements, and is subject to the Township's Election Sign By-law and other legislation and by-laws. 

A third party may register with the Clerk's Department Friday, May 1, 2026 until October 23, 2026. 

Registered third party packages will be available in the spring of 2026, or sooner. There is no registration fee for third party advertisers, but the Clerk must examine the registration and then certify the notice of registration if deemed compliant or reject the registration.

The following are not permitted to register:

• Municipal election candidates.

• Federal and Provincial political parties, constituency associations, registered candidates and leadership contestants.

• A Federal and Provincial government, municipality or local board.

If third party advertisers want to advertise in more than one municipality, they will be required to register in each municipality. This includes newspaper publications that originate in one municipality but are delivered to multiple municipalities.

The following are not considered as paid advertisements:

• An advertisement by and under the direction of a candidate;

• Where no expenses are incurred by the person/entity in relation to the advertisement; and

• When given or transmitted by an individual to employees, by a corporation to its shareholders, directors, members or employees or by a trade union to its members or employees.

Advertising that does not cost money to post or to broadcast, such as comments made on social media, will not be considered as third party advertising.

All third-party advertisements must contain the following information:

• The name of the registered third party;
• The municipality where the registered third party is registered; and
• The telephone number, mailing address or email address at which the registered third party may be contacted regarding the advertisement

The certified list of candidates for the upcoming Municipal Election on October 26, 2026 will be available August 2026.

The Clerk's Department is pleased to assist you with any questions you may have concerning the Municipal Election. For any questions, concerns or further information, please contact clerk@stonemills.com or 613-378-2475 x225.

Do you need Assistance for the 2026 Municipal Election?

The Township of Stone Mills is committed to having regard to the needs of electors with disabilities and consideration to the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001, as amended, while providing all eligible electors full access and the right to vote during the 2026 Municipal Election.

The Township of Stone Mills Administration Office at 4504 County Road 4 provides full accessibility for the 2026 Municipal Election. If you have specific needs/or a disability and require additional assistance, please contact the Clerk’s Office at 613-378-2475 x225 or email clerk@stonemills.com . 

Pursuant to Section 88.37(1) of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, as amended, municipalities are required, prior to October 1 in a regular election year, to establish a Compliance Audit Committee (CAC). The purpose of the CAC is to consider applications for compliance audits of candidates’ or registered third parties’ campaign finances and determine if audits are required. The responsibilities of the CAC are fulfilled in a fair, open and responsible manner.

The Committee is to be comprised of persons with accounting and audit, academic or legal backgrounds and/or other individuals with knowledge of election campaign finances. Members should have a demonstrated knowledge and understanding of municipal election campaign finances; proven analytical and decision-making skills; experience working on a committee, task force or similar setting; and good oral and written communication skills.

The Committee is established prior to Election Day and appointments take effect on the first day of the new Council’s term of office.

Here are some common inquiries regarding Municipal and School Board Elections. This page may be updated from time to time.

Who can vote?

In order to qualify as an eligible elector, you must:

• Reside in the Township of Stone Mills, or are the owner or tenant of land, or the spouse of such owner or tenant;
• Be a Canadian citizen;
• Be 18 years of age (as of Election Day); and
• Not prohibited from voting as outlined in s.17(3) of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 or otherwise by law.

How do I register to vote in the municipal election?

Elections Ontario manages a single register of electors for both provincial and municipal elections in Ontario. You can check to see if your name is on the voters' list or manage your information through the voter registration service. 

When can I file my nomination for Council?

The nomination period for 2026 is from May 1 to August 21, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.

Why have I been asked to sign an endorsement?

As part of their nomination filing package, a candidate for Council must include twenty-five (25) written endorsements of nomination for their position. A person endorsing a nomination must be an eligible voter in Stone Mills on the day to which the endorsement is made. 

When can election signs be posted?

Election signs may be placed once a candidate has filed their nomination paper with the Clerk and paid the required filing fee. All election signs shall be removed within ninety-six (96) hours of the day on which the election is held. 

Can anyone use the Township logo in their campaign material?

No, the Township’s logo is protected, and the Township asserts copyright over its use.

What is a Registered Third Party?

A registered third party is any individual, corporation or trade union that advertises to support or oppose a candidate or a question on the ballot for the municipal election. A registered third party is subject to many of the same requirements as that of a candidate, including filing registration papers, expense limits and financial statements, and is subject to the Township's Election Sign By-law. No election advertising outside of a candidate or registered third party is permitted. 

An example of a registered third party would include, but is not limited to, a business operating from the municipality or a rate payers group.

As a resident, how much can I donate to one candidate? Can I donate to multiple candidates?

An individual may contribute up to $1,200 to one candidate. A contributor shall not make contributions exceeding a total of $5,000 to two or more candidates for office on the same Council.