Candidate Resources

Thinking about running for office? Review candidate information, forms, and resources from various organizations.

Candidate Information Night

Residents who are considering running in the 2026 Municipal Election are invited to attend a Candidate Information Night hosted by the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing and the Norfolk County Clerk.

This information session is intended for individuals interested in running for Mayor, Municipal Council, or School Board Trustee. Attendance is optional but strongly encouraged for first-time candidates.

The session will provide an overview of the municipal election process, including:

Eligibility requirements
Key dates
Nomination procedures
Campaign rules

Participants will also have the opportunity to ask election staff questions.

Event details

Date: Thursday, April 9, 2026
Time: 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Location: Council Chambers, County Administration Building, 50 Colborne Street South, Simcoe

Virtual attendance option

Individuals who are unable to attend in person may participate virtually via Microsoft Teams.

To register for the virtual session, please contact the Elections Office before 4:30 p.m. on April 8, by phone at 519-426-5870 or 226-NORFOLK, extension 6269, or by email at elections@norfolkcounty.ca.

Nomination period

The nomination period for the 2026 municipal election begins May 1, 2026
Review the 2026 election timelines for more important dates

Offices to be  elected

Mayor

One (1) to be elected by all voters of the municipality

Ward Councillors

View Norfolk County Ward maps.

One (1) to be elected for Ward 1
One (1) to be elected for Ward 2
One (1) to be elected for Ward 3
One (1) to be elected for Ward 4
Two (2) to be elected for Ward 5
One (1) to be elected for Ward 6
One (1) to be elected for Ward 7

School Board Trustees

The number of trustees for each of the following school boards will be determined in the spring of 2026:

Running as a candidate

Candidate Information Guide

Coming soon!

Norfolk County's Candidate Information Guide provides an overview of eligibility requirements, key dates, nomination steps, campaign rules, financial requirements, and policies and procedures. The guide is a helpful starting point for both first-time and returning candidates.

Nomination forms

Book your appointment

If you plan on running as a candidate in a Norfolk County municipal election, you must book an appointment and file candidate nomination forms with the Norfolk County Clerk.

Appointments are available from May 1, 2026, to August 20, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Nomination forms will not be accepted after 2:00 p.m. on August 21, 2026.

To book your appointment, contact:

Norfolk County Office of the County Clerk
50 Colborne Street South
Simcoe, Ontario
N3Y 4H3

Phone: 519-426-5870 or 226-NORFOLK, extension 6269

Email: elections@norfolkcounty.ca

Withdrawing your candidacy

If a candidate decides to withdraw from the election, he or she must file a Withdrawal of Nomination Form, in person with the County Clerk's Office, no later than 2 p.m. on nomination day, Friday, August 21, 2026.

A candidate who withdraws is still required to submit a completed financial statement covering all financial transactions made up to the date the nomination was withdrawn.

Third party advertisers

Third party advertising includes messages transmitted in any broadcast, print, electronic, or other medium that are:

promoting, supporting or opposing a candidate
promoting or supporting "yes" or "no" answer to a question on the ballot

Third party advertising does not include an advertisement:

made by or under the direction of a candidate
for which no expense is incurred
transmitted by an individual to their employees, by a corporation to its shareholders, directors, members or employees, or by a trade union to its members or employees

Register as a third party advertiser

Only the following can register to be a third party advertiser:

An individual who is normally a resident in Ontario
A corporation that carries on business in Ontario
A trade union that holds bargaining rights for employees in Ontario

To advertise during the 2026 Municipal Election, a third party advertiser must register with the Clerk’s Office. A third party advertiser must register with each municipality they wish to advertise in.

Third Party Advertisers guide (PDF)

Scrutineers

A candidate may appoint scrutineers to represent them at the voting locations to observe voting. One scrutineer per tabulated ballot box is permitted at each voting location. If the candidate is present at the voting location, one less scrutineer may be present at the same time.

Download the Scrutineer guide (PDF)