Candidate Information

Nominations for the 2026 Municipal Election open on Friday, May 1, 2026.

The 2026 Municipal and School Board Election will take place on October 26, 2026.

The nomination period for candidates begins on May 1, 2026 and ends on Nomination Day, August 21, 2026. Nomination forms for the offices of Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Councillor and School Board Member may be filed in person by the candidate or by their agent during normal office hours. On Nomination Day, nominations forms may only be filed between 9:00 am and 2:00 pm.

To file your nomination papers, please book an appointment with the Elections Team by emailing clerk@shelburne.ca, or by phone at 519-925-2600. You must have an appointment to file your nomination papers.

Candidate Information Session

Get the information you need to make informed decisions about running for municipal office.

Interested candidates are encouraged to attend a candidate information session being held by Dufferin County’s lower tier municipalities.

Hosted by Dufferin County’s lower-tier municipalities and facilitated by Clerks on Call. Attend either date. Stay after the session to connect with the trainers and ask questions.

Date: Wednesday, May 6, 2026
Time: 7 pm
Location: Monora Park Pavilion, 500 Monora Park Pavilion Road, Mono, ON L9W 0E1

Date: Thursday, May 7, 2026
Time: 10 am
Location: Centre Dufferin Recreation Complex, 200 Fiddle Park Lane, Shelburne, ON L9V 3C9

Family members of potential candidates are also encouraged to attend to learn about impact on family life

The municipal election provides equitable access to those who wish to bring their diverse perspectives and expertise to municipal and regional council.

Whether a long-time or a new Canadian citizen living in Shelburne, the municipal election is a significant way to serve your community and help shape the future.

Hosted by Dufferin County’s lower-tier municipalities and facilitated by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

Date: Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Time: 6:30 pm
Registration: orangeville.ca/CandidateSession

Who Can Run?

To run as a candidate in a municipal election, you must:

Be a Canadian citizen and at least 18 years old.
Be qualified to vote in the municipality by:
- living in the municipality, or
- owning or renting property in the municipality, or
- being the spouse of somebody who owns or rents property in the municipality.
Not be prohibited from holding municipal office according to Section 29 of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996.

Nomination Requirements

The following is required to file a nomination:

Nomination Forms

The following forms are required to file a nomination:

Nomination Paper - Form 1
Endorsement of Nomination - Form 2

(Requires 25 original signatures from eligible Town of Shelburne voters)
Prescribed nomination filing fee ($200 for Mayor, $100 for all other offices)

Provide Proof of Identification and Residence as prescribed in O.Reg. 304/13
Declaration of Qualifications - Council Candidates (Form OS21A)
Release of Campaign Information (Form OS11)

NOTE: Forms 1 and 2 are Ministry of Ontario forms. If you have difficulty opening these forms, please try saving the form and then opening it in Adobe Reader. If you have difficulty with any other form, please contact clerk@shelburne.ca. Paper copies of the candidate package, including all necessary forms, are available for pickup at the front counter at Town Hall.

Booking an Appointment: To file your nomination papers, please book an appointment with the Elections Team by emailing clerk@shelburne.ca, or by phone at 519-925-2600.

Once candidates have filed their nominations, a list of registered candidates will be available on the Registered Candidates webpage.

Campaigning is not permitted until your nomination papers have been officially filed.

Candidate Information Package

A Candidate information package will be provided to those who file their nomination papers.

Please Note:

This package has been prepared for the purpose of supplying information which will be of assistance to persons intending to stand for elected office.

Candidates for School Board offices are encouraged to contact the office of the Director of Education of the appropriate School Board to obtain information on the duties and responsibilities of a trustee. Candidates for the position of representative on the French language section of a School Board should contact the Clerk of the municipality responsible for the election of persons to that office.

It is most important to note that the contents of this document are intended only as a guide to certain provisions of relevant legislation and do not purport to recite all applicable statutory references.

Prospective candidates must satisfy themselves through their own determination that they have complied with the election financing regulations and that they are in fact qualified, and not disqualified by law, to seek elected office. Candidates must make themselves aware of the penalty sections of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 (“MEA”) respecting campaign finances.

All procedures in this guide are subject to change based on public health guidelines.

Key Dates

Electors in the Town of Shelburne will be voting electronically, by internet or telephone, in the 2026 Municipal Election.

**2026 Municipal Election Key Dates**
Date	Information
Friday May 1 to Friday August 21, 2026	Nomination Period: Nomination forms may be filed by candidates beginning Friday, May 1, 2026, and on any day thereafter prior to Nomination Day, at any time when the Clerk’s Office is open (Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, closed for lunch from 12:00 – 1:00 pm) and on Nomination Day, Friday, August 21, 2026, when nomination forms may be filed between the hours of 9:00 am and 2:00 pm.
Friday, May 1 to Thursday, December 31, 2026	Campaign Period: The campaign period begins when a candidate has filed the nomination form and ends on December 31, 2026. Alternative time periods are in effect if the candidate withdraws the nomination, if the Clerk rejects the nomination, or the candidate extends their campaign and is continuing to campaign to erase a deficit.
Friday, August 21, 2026	Nomination Day: Last day for filing nominations. Nominations, in the required form, filed on this date may only be filed between the hours of 9:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Monday, August 24, 2026	Certification of Nomination Forms and Acclamations: The Clerk shall certify filed nomination forms prior to 4:00 pm. Immediately after 4:00 pm, the Clerk shall declare any acclaimed eligible candidates to be duly elected.
Tuesday, September 1, 2026	Voters' List: The Clerk shall make the list of voters available to persons entitled.
Early October	A Voter Information Letter will be mailed to residents directly in the month of October, providing them with a Personal Identification Number (PIN) which will allow them to vote 24 hours a day during the voting period from any touch-tone telephone, cell phone, computer or other device connected to the internet.
Friday, October 16 to Monday, October 26, 2026	Advanced Polls open: Friday, October 16, 2026, at 10:00 am to Monday, October 26, 2026 at 8:00 pm Vote from any touch-tone telephone, cell phone, computer or other device connected to the internet. A Voter Help Centre will be located at the Town Hall in Shelburne -- open Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm (closed from 12:00 – 1:00 pm) during the entire election. Drop in or Call: 519-925-2600.
Monday, October 26, 2026	Election Day: FINAL DAY to VOTE by Internet or Telephone from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm.
Tuesday, October 27, 2026	Declaration of Results: The Clerk will declare the results of the election of candidates “as soon as possible after voting day.”
Sunday, November 15, 2026	Term of Office Commences: Elected members must take the oath of office prior to taking their seat. The Inaugural Meeting and Oath of Office ceremony will be held Monday, November 30, 2026 in the Grace Tipling Hall at the Shelburne Town Hall.
Thursday, December 31, 2026	Campaign Period Ended for candidates and registered third parties.