Nomination period for the 2026 Municipal Election opens Friday, May 1

The candidate nomination period for the 2026 municipal election opens Friday, May 1, 2026. Candidates may run for Mayor, one of eight Councillors for Norfolk County’s seven Wards, or one of four School Board Trustees. Individuals interested in running in the upcoming municipal election are encouraged to book an in-person appointment to submit their nomination.  

To be eligible as a candidate for Mayor or Councillor  

To run in the municipal election as a candidate for Mayor or Ward Councillor, individuals must: 

• Be a Canadian citizen 
• Be at least 18 years old 
• Be a resident of Norfolk County, or the owner or tenant of property in Norfolk County, or the spouse of an owner or tenant of property in Norfolk County 
• Not be prohibited under the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 or any other law 

To be eligible as a candidate for School Board Trustee 

To run for School Board Trustee, individuals must: 

• Be a Canadian citizen 
• Be at least 18 years old 
• Be a resident within the school board’s area 
• Not be prohibited under the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 or any other law 
• Meet the school board’s voter qualifications (for example, being Roman Catholic or having French language rights) 

How to register as a candidate 

To become a registered candidate, individuals must complete the three steps below. 

Step 1: Complete the nomination forms 

Download and complete all required forms in the nomination package available on the Norfolk County website at norfolkcounty.ca/Nomination. Paper copies are available at the County Administration Building, located at 50 Colborne Street South in Simcoe. 

Step 2: File your nomination in person 

Book an appointment to meet with the Norfolk County Clerk’s Election team and file your completed nomination package with valid identification. Appointments are available Monday to Friday during normal office hours, until Thursday, August 20, 2026. Nominations must be filed no later than 2:00 p.m. on Friday, August 21, 2026.  

To book your nomination appointment, please contact the Office of the County Clerk at elections@norfolkcounty.ca or phone 519-426-5870 or 226-NORFOLK, extension 6269. 

Step 3: Pay the nomination fee 

The nomination fee is payable by cash or cheque when filing.  

• Mayor: $200 
• Ward Councillor: $100 
• School Board Trustee: $100 

Candidate Information Night 

Watch a recording of the Norfolk County Candidate Information Night held on April 9, 2026, on the Norfolk County website. Delivered by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing and the Norfolk County Clerk, the session provides an overview of the municipal election process, including: 

• Eligibility requirements 
• Key dates 
• Nomination procedures 
• Campaign rules 

Learn more about becoming a candidate in the upcoming municipal election at norfolkcounty.ca/Vote.

Stay informed about the election 

Subscribe to the latest Norfolk County election updates, as well as County news, notices, service updates, and more at norfolkcounty.ca/subscribe.