Candidate Information

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

Interested candidates must make an appointment to submit nomination materials by emailing clerks@southgate.ca or by phone at 519-923-2110.

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

  • Be a Canadian Citizen
  • Be qualified to vote in a municipality by:
    • living in the municipality; or
    • owning or renting property in a municipality; or 
    • being the spouse of someone who owns or rents property in a municipality. 
  • Not be prohibited from holding municipal office according to Section 29 of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996. 

Candidates are required to complete the following to file a nomination:

  • Nomination Paper - Form 1
  • Endorsement of Nomination - Form 2 (Requires 25 Signatures)
  • Declaration of Qualifications - Council Candidates (Form SEL3)
  • Declaration of Qualifications - School Board Candidates (Form SEL4)
  • Provide Proof of Identification
  • Release of Campaign Information (Form SEL2)

Nomination packages will be made available by the Township of Southgate in the Spring of 2026. 

To file your nomination papers, please book an appointment with the Clerk's Department by emailing clerks@southgate.ca or by phone at 519-923-2110. 

Once candidates have filed their nominations, a list of registered candidates will be made available on the southgatevotes.ca webpage. 

 

Friday, May 1, 2026

First Day to File a Nomination

  • Once filed, a candidate can begin to raise and spend money on a campaign
  • Preliminary spending and contribution limits provided to candidates
Friday, August 21, 2026

Nomination Day Deadline To:

  • File a nomination
  • Withdraw a nomination
  • Change office
Monday, August 24, 2026  Deadline to certify nominations
Wednesday, August 26, 2026 Deadline for additional nominations, if applicable
Thursday, August 27, 2026 Deadline to certify additional nominations, if applicable
Tuesday, September 1, 2026 Voters' List available
Wednesday, September 30, 2026 Final spending and contribution limits provided to candidates
Friday, Septmeber 16, 2026 Voting period begins
Monday, October 26, 2026 Election Day - Voting ends at 8:00PM EST
Monday, November 16, 2026 Inaugural Meeting - new term of office begins
Thursday, December 31, 2026 

End of campaign period for candidates and third part advertisers. 

Last day to file Notice of Extension, to continue campaigning to erase a deficit. 

Friday, March 30, 2027 at 2:00PM

Deadline for cadndiates and third party advertisers to file the initial financial statement

Friday, June 30, 2027

End of extended campaign period

Friday September 24, 2027 at 2:00PM

Deadline for canddiates and third party advertisers to file the supplementary financial statement (applies only to those who extended their campaign period)

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