Information for Candidates
Individuals may consider running for one of the following offices:
- Mayor – one (1) elected at large
- Deputy Mayor – one (1) elected at large
- Councillors – 3 (three) elected at large
- School Board Trustee – one (1) elected per board
2026 Election Guides
2026 Election Accessibility Plan
- Find out how the election ensures inclusive participation for all voters: 2026 Election Accessibility Plan
Candidates Package
- Find everything you need to know about running for office: Candidates Package
eVoting Methods
- Learn about the available online and electronic voting options: eVoting Methods
Traditional Voting Methods
- Learn about in-person and other standard ways to cast your vote: Traditional Voting Methods
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) Candidates' Guide
- Find out how to run as a candidate: Candidates’ Guide
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) Municipal Councillor's Guide
- Learn about the roles and responsibilities of elected officials: Municipal Councillor’s Guide
Who is Eligible to Run for Office?
A person is entitled to be a candidate for Mayor or Councillor if they are:
- a Canadian Citizen;
- 18 years or older;
- Qualify as a resident or non-resident elector
- Resident elector (live in municipality, own, rent, live in shared accommodation)
- Non-resident elector (own or rent property but not where you live)
- Spouse of a non-resident elector (spouse owns or rents property in the municipality) Nomination Papers for all offices may be filed by the Candidate, in person or by an agent acting on the candidate’s behalf at the Municipal Building (Township Office) commencing Monday, May 1, 2026 during regular office hours. Nomination Papers may not be mailed, faxed or emailed.Nomination Packages will contain the following:
- A completed copy of the Nomination Paper- Form 1
- A declaration of Qualifications form signed by the candidate – Form EL18
- Consent to Release Personal Information form signed by the Candidate – Form TOP02
- Notice of Penalties – Form TOP31
- Interim Maximum amount of Contributions to Own Campaign – Form TOP55
- Interim Maximum amount of Campaign Expenses – Form TOP23
- Interim Maximum amount to parties after Voting Day
- The applicable nomination fee ($200 Office of Mayor, $100 Office of Councillor or School Board Trustee) to be paid by cash, debit, certified cheque or money order
- Proof of identity
Candidate Packages are available from the Clerk’s Department at the Municipal Building (Township Office) located at 3560 County Road 26, Prescott, Ontario, Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
It is recommended that individuals interested in filing nomination material book an appointment prior in order to ensure staff’s availability.
Nomination Papers can be summited from 9:00 a.m. until Friday, August 21, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.
If an agent of the candidate is filing the nomination paper, the form must be fully completed prior to filing. The candidate or the agent filing the nomination paper will be required to provide proof of identity.
Candidates cannot raise or spend any money on their campaign until this nomination paper is filed.
Nomination Papers are public documents and are available for inspection at the Clerk’s Department.
Who is Not Eligible to Run?
- a person who is serving a sentence of imprisonment in a penal or correctional institute
- a corporation
- a person acting as an executor or trustee or in any other representative capacity
- a person who ceases to be a Canadian citizen
- a person who is not a resident, the owner or tenant of land or the spouse of an owner or tenant of land in the municipality
- an employee of the municipality or local board unless he or she takes an unpaid leave of absence beginning the day the employee is nominated and resigns if elected to the office
- a judge of any court, a member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario or the Senate or House of Commons of Canada
- a person who is prohibited from voting in an election according to the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 or the Municipal Act, 2001
- a person who has violated financial requirements for filing financial information in a previous election
* Despite the above disqualification, MPs, MPPs and Senators may be nominated for municipal office without having to resign their current seat in parliament. However, by 2:00 p.m. on Nomination Day, MPs, MPPs and Senators will be required to resign their current seat should they wish to continue to seek municipal office.
How to Submit Your Nomination
Nomination Papers for all offices may be filed by the Candidate, in person or by an agent acting on the candidate’s behalf at the Municipal Building (Township Office) commencing Monday, May 1, 2026 during regular office hours. Nomination Papers may not be mailed, faxed or emailed.
Nomination Packages will contain the following:
- A completed copy of the Nomination Paper- Form 1
- A declaration of Qualifications form signed by the candidate – Form EL18
- Consent to Release Personal Information form signed by the Candidate – Form TOP02
- Notice of Penalties – Form TOP31
- Interim Maximum amount of Contributions to Own Campaign – Form TOP55
- Interim Maximum amount of Campaign Expenses – Form TOP23
- Interim Maximum amount to parties after Voting Day
- The applicable nomination fee ($200 Office of Mayor, $100 Office of Councillor or School Board Trustee) to be paid by cash, debit, certified cheque or money order
- Proof of identity
Candidate Packages are available from the Clerk’s Department at the Municipal Building (Township Office) located at 3560 County Road 26, Prescott, Ontario, Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
It is recommended that individuals interested in filing nomination material book an appointment prior in order to ensure staff’s availability.
Nomination Papers can be summited from 9:00 a.m. until Friday, August 21, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.
If an agent of the candidate is filing the nomination paper, the form must be fully completed prior to filing. The candidate or the agent filing the nomination paper will be required to provide proof of identity.
Candidates cannot raise or spend any money on their campaign until this nomination paper is filed.
Nomination Papers are public documents and are available for inspection at the Clerk’s Department.
