2026 Municipal Election

2026 Municipal and School Board Elections

The Municipal Election to elect a Mayor, Reeve, Councillors and School Board Trustees will be held on Monday, October 26, 2026.

Key Dates

Fri. May 1, 2026 - First day Candidates can file nomination papers
Fri. August 21, 2026 - Last day Candidates can file nomination papers between 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM
Tues. October 13 - Friday, October 23, 2026 - Advance Voting
Mon. October 26, 2026 - Election (Voting) Day
Tues. October 27, 2026 - Official Election Results Declared
Sun. November 15, 2026 - New Term of Office (2026 - 2030) Commences

The next term of Council will begin on November 15, 2022 and concludes on November 14, 2026.

Changes to the Municipal Elections Act, 1996

Changes that have occurred to date in the MEA that directly affect the 2026 Municipal Elections include:

• The Election Act was amended to extend the Chief Electoral Officer's responsibilities with respect to the permanent register of electors to include persons entitled to be electors in municipal elections, beginning in 2024.
• The Municipal Elections Act, 1996 was amended to move the responsibility for preparing the preliminary Voters' List in municipal elections from the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation to the Chief Electoral Officer beginning in 2024. The responsibilities of the Clerk with regard to updating the Voters' List are adjusted accordingly, as are the dates regarding the calculation of contribution and spending limits. A related amendment was made to the Municipal Act, 2001.
• The Municipal Property Assessment Corporation Act, 1997 was amended to require the Corporation to provide information to the Chief Electoral Officer free of charge for the purpose of establishing and maintaining a permanent register of electors.

Source Law For These Changes:

Bill 204 - Helping Tenants and Small Business Act, 2020
Schedule 3 - Election Act
Schedule 4 - Municipal Elections Act, 1996
Schedule 5 - Municipal Property Assessment Corporation Act, 1997

Nomination Period

The nomination period will commence on Friday, May 1, 2026 and close on Nomination Day, Friday, August 21, 2026 at 2:00 PM.

Eligibility

A person is qualified under MEA, s.17 to be elected or hold office as a member of Council only if, as of the day they file their nomination they are:

a)  a Canadian citizen;
b)  at least 18 years of age;
c)  a resident in the local municipality, or the owner or tenant of land in the municipality, or the spouse of such a       person;
d)  not prohibited from voting as noted or otherwise, by law;
e)  not disqualified for violation of financial requirements or violations of requirements for filing financial                     information;
f)   not disqualified by any Act from holding such office; and
g)  not disqualified under the provisions at outlined in MEA s.90(2) and 91(1).

Internet and Telephone Voting

Alternate voting with electronic or telephone ballots will be used for 2026 Municipal Election. Electors will be able to cast their vote on-line or by telephone from anywhere they have an internet connection or telephone line, beginning on Tuesday, October 11, 2022 at 8:30 AM and ending on Monday, October 24, 2022 at 8:00 PM. Internet voting provides voters with flexibility and convenience, delivers quick and accurate results, and allows students and vacationers to vote from anywhere.

Electors will receive a Voter Information Letter (VIL) in the mail that provides instructions and a secure PIN number to vote by internet or telephone. 

For those electors who require assistance the Town will have a voting location open at the Town Hall (100 Deep River Road, 2nd Floor) from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM during the voting period, and on Election Day (Monday, October 26, 2026) between the hours of 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Voters are to bring their Voter Information Letter that has a PIN number with them to the voting location.

For assistance with voting or general inquiries, please contact 613-584-2000 or via email at vote@deepriver.ca 

Are You on the Voters' List?

In 2024 Elections Ontario took over the responsibility for providing municipalites with the Preliminary List of Electors (PLE). This responsibility was previously held by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC).

To support this Elections Ontario offers:

• A direct point of contact for municipal Clerks at Elections Ontario;
• A website at registertovoteon.ca for Ontario electors to register for both municipal and provincial elections; and
• An Election Portal to the Permanent Register of Electors for Ontario.
   

Voter Identification

As outlined in Ontario Regulation 304 / 13, an elector who has not received a ballot must present one of the following documents showing their name and qualifying address in order to receive a ballot:

1. An Ontario driver’s licence.

2. An Ontario Health Card (photo card).

3. An Ontario Photo Card.

4. An Ontario motor vehicle permit (vehicle portion).

5. A cancelled personalized cheque.

6. A mortgage statement, lease or rental agreement relating to property in Ontario.

7. An insurance policy or insurance statement.

8. A loan agreement or other financial agreement with a financial institution.

9. A document issued or certified by a court in Ontario.

10. Any other document from the government of Canada, Ontario or a municipality in Ontario or from an agency of such a government.

11. Any document from a Band Council in Ontario established under the Indian Act (Canada).

12. An income tax assessment notice.

13. A Child Tax Benefit Statement.

14. A Statement of Employment Insurance Benefits Paid T4E.

15. A Statement of Old Age Security T4A (OAS).

16. A Statement of Canada Pension Plan Benefits T4A (P).

17. A Canada Pension Plan Statement of Contributions.

18. A Statement of Direct Deposit for Ontario Works.

19. A Statement of Direct Deposit for Ontario Disability Support Program.

20. A Workplace Safety and Insurance Board Statement of Benefits T5007.

21. A property tax assessment.

22. A credit card statement, bank account statement, or RRSP, RRIF, RHOSP or T5 statement.

23. A CNIB Card or a card from another registered charitable organization that provides services to persons with disabilities.

24. A hospital card or record.

25. A document showing campus residence, issued by the office or officials responsible for student residence at a post-secondary institution.

26. A document showing residence at a long-term care home under the Long-Term Care Homes Act, 2007, issued by the Administrator for the home.

27. A utility bill for hydro, water, gas, telephone or cable TV or a bill from a public utilities commission.

28. A cheque stub, T4 statement or pay receipt issued by an employer.

29. A transcript or report card from a post-secondary school.