Information for Candidates

The upcoming municipal election in Guelph/Eramosa will be held on Monday, October 26, 2026. 

Information Session for Potential Candidates

Coming soon!

Nomination Period (Candidate Registration)

The nomination period for municipal elections is May 1 - August 21, 2026.


Nomination Packages

Are you thinking of running for the 2022 Municipal Election? These Nomination Packages contain all the information you will need to get started! Hardcopies will also be available at the Township Office as of TBD.

Mayor and Council
  • Nomination Package
School Board Trustee
  • Nomination Package

* A fillable version of Form 1 can be found below.


Nomination Process

Nominations will be accepted from Monday, May 1, 2026 to Friday, August 19, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.

To run for the office of Mayor, Councillor or School Board Trustee for the 2026 municipal election, you must file a nomination paper.

Candidates who are qualified to file a nomination must complete the prescribed Nomination Paper - Form 1, the Endorsement of Nomination - Form 2 and a Declaration of Qualifications, together with the required filing fee.

The required filing fee is:  $200 for the Office of the Mayor or $100 for all other offices.

Payment is accepted in the form of cash, debit, cheque, or money order made payable to The Township of Guelph/Eramosa

Until you file a nomination paper, you cannot raise or spend any money on your campaign.

Mayor and Councillor candidates must provide, along with their nomination paper, at least 25 declaration of endorsements from eligible electors.

Nominations must be filed in-person at the Clerk’s Office at the Township of Guelph/Eramosa Department at the Municipal Office (8348 Wellington Road 124) by the candidate or the candidate’s agent, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.


Offices to be Elected

View a copy of the 2026 Municipal Election Nomination Ad for the Township of Guelph/Eramosa.

The Township of Guelph/Eramosa is responsible for the coordination and management of municipal elections.  In accordance with the Municipal Elections Act legislation, the Clerk conducts elections every four years for the offices of:


Eligibility

To qualify as a candidate for Mayor or Council you must be:

  • A Canadian citizen
  • At least 18 years old
  • A resident in the Township of Guelph/Eramosa
  • A non-resident of Guelph/Eramosa and you or your spouse owns or rents property in the Township

You do not qualify to run as a candidate for Mayor or Council if you:

  • Are serving a sentence of imprisonment in a penal or correctional institution
  • Are a corporation
  • Are acting as executor or trustee or in any other representative capacity
  • Were convicted of the corrupt practice described in Municipal Elections Act, 1996, less than five years ago
  • An employee of a municipality unless he or she takes an unpaid leave of absence before being nominated, and resigns, if elected to the office;
  • A judge of any court;
  • A member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, a Senator or a member of the House of Commons; or
  • An inmate of a penal or correctional institution under sentence of imprisonment.
  • An person who by reason of any violations of the election campaign financial requirements or violations for not filling the financial statements pursuant to the Municipal Elections Act, 1996.
Qualifications of a Member of a School Board

A person is qualified to be elected as a member of a board if he/she is:

  • 18 years of age or older; AND
  • A Canadian citizen; AND
  • A resident within the area of jurisdiction of the board; AND
  • Eligible to be an elector of that school board for which the person is a candidate; AND
  • Not disqualified by any legislation from holding office. 
Persons who are or may be disqualified from seeking election to School Boards
  • A candidate for school board office cannot be a clerk, deputy clerk, treasurer or deputy treasurer of a municipality within the jurisdiction of a board.

The following persons are disqualified from being elected to school board office:

  • Any person not eligible to vote in the municipality; or
  • An employee of a school board unless he or she
  • Takes an unpaid leave of absence before being nominated, and resigns, if elected to the office; or
  • A judge of any court; or
  • A member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, a Senator or a member of the House of Commons; or
  • An inmate of a penal or correctional institution under sentence of imprisonment; or
  • A person disqualified for violations of financial requirements or violations of requirements for filing financial information.

Forms and Resources
Form # Form Name
Form 1 Nomination Form
Form 2 Endorsement of Nomination
Form 4 Financial Statement - Auditor's Report, Candidate
Form EL12(A) Appointment of Scrutineer by Candidate
Form EL14 Candidate's Declaration - Proper Use of Voters' List
Form EL19 Withdrawal of Nomination
Form EL37(A) Final Maxixum Campaign Expenditures - Revised
Form EL37(B) Final Certificate of Maximum Contribution Limit, Own Campaign - Revised
Form EL37(C) Final Certificate of Maximum Amount for Parties, etc. after Voting Day - Revised
Form EL52 Personal Information Release
Form EL54 Appointment of Representative
Form EL55(A) Declaration of Qualifications, Municipal
Form EL55(B)

Declaration of Qualifications (on form both School Boards are listed, please cross off the one that does not apply)

- Upper Grand District School Board 

- Wellington Catholic District School Board

Form EL57 Contributions to Registered Candidates
Form EL58 Broadcaster and Publisher Information
Form EL68(A) Preliminary Maximum Campaign Expenditures
Form EL69 Preliminary Maximum Contribution Limit, Own Campaign
Resources
Candidate Questions and Answers - 2022.09.23
County of Wellington Ward Map
Township of Guelph/Eramosa Ward Map
2022 Candidate's Guide for Ontario Municipal Council and School Board Elections
2022 Voter's Guide for Ontario Municipal Council and School Board Elections
Candidate's Guide to Accessible Elections
Municipal Elections Act, 1996
Upper Grand District School Board Distribution Letter
Upper Grand District School Board Map
Wellington Catholic District School Board Distribution Letter
Wellington Catholic District School Board Map

Township of Guelph/Eramosa Election Sign By-law 9/2022

Township of Guelph/Eramosa Remuneration By-law

Use of Corporate Resources for Elections Purposes
MPAC Toolkit - About MPAC and Ontario's Assesment System