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.

Candidate and Third-Party Advertiser Information Session - April 22, 2026 from 6:00PM to 9:00PM

Have you been thinking of serving your community by running for municipal Council this fall?

Grey County, the Township of Southgate and other local municipalities are partnering to host a Candidate Information Session, offering insight on the roles, responsibilities and opportunities of Council members.

The Candidate Information Session will be held on April 22, 2026 from 6:00PM to 9:00PM at the Grey County Council Chambers, with a virtual attendance option also available.

Whether you are actively planning to run, or exploring the idea, all are welcome to attend!

Registration is required and can be completed here .

Who Can Run?

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.

Nomination Requirements

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.

Key Dates

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)

Township of Southgate
185667 Grey County Road 9
Dundalk, Ontario N0C 1B0
Phone: 519-923-2110
Email: info@southgate.ca