Elections

The next municipal election will be held Monday, October 26, 2026. 

Register to vote or update your information on the voters' list

To add your name to the voters' list or update your information, please visit the Elections Ontario Portal. You will need one piece of ID that has both your name and Ontario home address.

Elections Ontario Voter Registration

What do voters and candidates need to know?   

Elections for municipal government are held every four years on the fourth Monday of October. The length of term for all municipal elected officials is four years. The current term started in 2022 and ends in 2026. 

In municipal elections in Ontario, unlike other levels of government, candidates are not elected to represent a political party. 

Eligible voters for municipal elections must be: 

  • A Canadian citizen and at least 18 years old
  • A resident OR a property owner or tenant OR the spouse of an owner or tenant in the municipality

Eligible candidates for municipal elections must be:

  • A Canadian citizen and at least 18 years old 
  • A resident of the municipality, a non-resident owner or tenant of land in the municipality or the spouse of such non-resident owner or tenant
  • Not legally prohibited from voting; and not disqualified by any legislation from holding municipal office.

Council

Saugeen Shores Council consists of a Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Vice Deputy Mayor, and six Ward Councilors, all elected for a four-year term. All voters may cast ballots for the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Vice Deputy Mayor, and two Ward Councillors based on where they live or own property in Saugeen Shores.

School Board Trustee

Voters in Saugeen Shores also vote for their school board trustee.

Property owners in Ontario are required to support a school board, even if they do not have children or their children are not currently attending school. In the case of a residential property occupied by tenants, the tenants can direct the school support for that property. By default, school support is directed to your municipality’s English Public School Board.

The Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) is legislatively required to collect school support information and provide it in the assessment roll to every municipality and school board. By ensuring that you are supporting the school board of your choosing, you will be able to vote in the next municipal and school board election for trustees in that school board. Property owners, occupants, and tenants can update their school support designation online at mpac.ca/schoolsupport.

 In Saugeen Shores, the school boards are Bluewater District School Board and Bruce-Grey Catholic School Board.  

  • May 1, 2026 - First possible day of the candidate nomination period that ends on Nomination Day
  • June 1, 2026 - Final day for voters to update school support information with the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC)
  • August 21, 2026 - Nomination Day (Nominations close at 2:00 p.m.)
  • October 26, 2026 - Election Day

Vote by Internet and Telephone 

The upcoming Municipal Election will be held on Monday, October 26, 2026. The Town of Saugeen Shores will be utilizing an internet and telephone voting system. Paper ballots will not be used.  

You will be able to vote online or by telephone from Monday October 19, 2026 beginning at 10:00 a.m. and concluding on Monday October 26, 2026 at 8:00 p.m. 

A Voter Help Centre will be set-up at The Plex during the voting period for assistance with internet voting. 

Candidate Information

For those considering running for office, there are a number of associations and organizations that develop helpful resources. Many of these resources are still being updated for the 2026 election. Check back often to see what's available! 

Thursday, May 14, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. 
Bruce County Administration Centre, 30 Park Street Walkerton, ON 

Bruce County’s eight area municipalities are partnering to host a candidate information session in preparation for the 2026 municipal and school board election.  

New, returning or interested candidates and members of the public are invited to learn more about the roles and responsibilities of council, who is eligible to run, the nomination process, and campaign finance and advertising rules. The meeting agenda includes presentations from the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing and municipal consultant Clerks on Call. Attendees are encouraged to send questions in advance to their municipal clerk.  

Those wishing to participate in the session in-person or virtually can register on the 2026 Municipal Election Candidates' Info Night Portal

 

Municipal election info night registration QR
Municipal election info night registration QR Code

 

Nominations must be filed with the Clerk in the following manner:

  • in person or through an agent, using the prescribed forms “Nomination Paper 2026” (Form 1);
  • with the prescribed declaration “Endorsement of Nomination 2026” (Form 2) by at least 25 persons endorsing the nomination who are eligible to vote, if a regular election was held on the day that person endorses the nomination; (No signature of a person shall be obtained at the Municipal Office, property or parking lot surrounding the Municipal Office. No Town of Saugeen Shores employee shall sign a form during office hours or while actively working in a municipal capacity, including meetings or municipally sanctioned events). 
  • by appointment during regular office hours 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Municipal Office from Friday May 1, 2026 to Thursday August 20, 2026 and between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on Friday August 21, 2026 (Nomination Day);
  • with the prescribed nomination filing fee of $200.00 for Head of Council and $100 for all other offices – the filing fee shall be paid by cash, debit card, certified cheque or money order payable to the ‘Town of Saugeen Shores’;
  • with proof of identity and residence as prescribed in O. Reg. 304/13;
  • no faxed or other electronically transmitted nomination paper will be accepted – original signatures are required;
  • Candidates shall take a “Declaration of Qualifications” (Form 10);
  • Candidates shall be provided a “Notice of Collection/Consent to Release Personal Information” (Form 12); and,
  • Candidate shall be provided with the "Estimated Maximum Campaign Expenses - Council" (Form 13). 

The Clerk, or designate will administer the necessary oaths and declarations.

Election Sign By-law 72-2015

Delegation of Authority to CAO during Restricted Acts Period By-law 66-2022

Use of Corporate Resources for Election Purposes Policy

2026 Election Accessibility Plan

Please be advised that some forms may not open correctly depending on the device or browser. If you encounter any issues accessing the documents online, please download the forms directly or contact the Clerk’s Office for assistance. Paper copies are also available upon request.

Form 1 - Nomination Paper 2026

Form 2 - Endorsement of Nomination 2026

Form 3 - Withdrawal of Nomination 2026

Form 4 - Financial Statement Auditor Report Candidate 2026

Form 5 - Financial Statement – Subsequent Expenses 2026

Form 6 - Notice of Extension of Campaign Period 2026

Form 7 - Notice of Registration Third Party 2026

Form 8 - Financial Statement Auditor Report Third Party 2026

Form 9 - Declaration of Identity 2026

Form 10 - Declaration of Qualifications - Council

Form 11 - Declaration of Qualifications - School Board Trustee

Form 12 - Notice of Collection Consent to Release Personal Information

Form 13 - Estimated Maximum Campaign Expenses – Council

Form 14 - Estimates Campaign Expenses – English Public School Board

Form 15 - Estimates Campaign Expenses – English Separate School Board

Form 16 - Certificate of Maximum Amount of Contributions - Own Campaign

Form 17 - Unofficial List of Certified Candidates

Form 18 - Notice of Rejection of Nomination

Form 19 - Official List of Certified Candidates

Form 20 - Declaration of Acclamation to Office

Form 21 - Notice of Additional Nominations

Form 22 - Certificate of Maximum Campaign Expenses - Candidate

Form 23 - Declaration of Proper Use of the Voters’ List

Form 24 (EL15) - Application to Amend Voters' List

Form 25 - Application for Removal of Another’s Name from the Voters List

Form 26 - Re-issue of a Voter Information Letter (Lost and Unused)

Form 27 - Re-Issue of a Voter Information Letter (Imposter)

Form 28 - Activation of Voting System

Form 29 - Oral Oaths at Help Centre

Form 30 - Oral Oath of Secrecy

Form 31 - Appointment of Scrutineer by Candidate

Form 32 - Declaration of Election Results

Form 33 - Notice to Bruce County – Electors and County Councillors

Form 34 - Notice of Recount

Form 35 - Declaration of Recount Results

Form 36 - Notice to Candidate of Filing Requirements

Form 37 - Notice of Default - Candidate

Form 38 - Notice to Registered Third Party of Filing Requirements

Form 39 - Notice of Default – Third Party

Form 40 - Witness Statements as to Destruction of Records

Form 41 - Oath of Election Official

Form 42 - Appointment and Oath of Election Officials

Form 43 - Delegation of Powers and Duties of Clerk

Form 44 - Notice of Offence and Corrupt Practice

Association of Municipalities Ontario (AMO) 

Relevant Legislation

Getting to Know Local Government

Understanding how local government works helps voters make informed choices and helps candidates decide if running for office is right for them. Learning the basics like who does what and how decisions are made helps build stronger, more informed communities.

 

Unofficial List of Candidates

Mayor

Name of Candidate
(in alphabetical order by first name)		 Qualifying Address Date Filed
     
     

Deputy Mayor

Name of Candidate
(in alphabetical order by first name)		 Qualifying Address Date Filed
     
     

Vice Deputy Mayor

Name of Candidate
(in alphabetical order by first name)		 Qualifying Address Date Filed
     
     

Port Elgin Ward Councillor

Name of Candidate
(in alphabetical order by first name)		 Qualifying Address Date Filed
     
     
     

Saugeen Ward Councillor

Name of Candidate
(in alphabetical order by first name)		 Qualifying Address Date Filed
     
     
     

Southampton Ward Councillor

Name of Candidate
(in alphabetical order by first name)		 Qualifying Address Date Filed
     
     
     

Contact Us

Town of Saugeen Shores
600 Tomlinson Drive, P.O. Box 820
Port Elgin, ON N0H 2C0
Phone 519-832-2008
Toll Free 1-866-832-2008
Fax 519-832-2140