Information for Candidates

This page is a resource for Candidates (including municipal Council and School Board Trustees) and Third Party Advertisers. Candidates are encouraged to contact the Clerk's Office with any questions.

Election Campaign

The campaign period starts on the day each candidate files their nomination and generally ends December 31. Candidates can only campaign, advertise, spend money, and accept contributions (including money, goods, or services) during this period.

For more information, please consult the following resources. Links will be added as they become available:

• Election Advertising and Campaigning section of the 2026 Municipal Election Procedures,
• Ministry of Municipal Affairs 2026 Candidates' Guide: Ontario Municipal Council and School Board Elections, and
• Ontario Education Services Corporation's resources and guide for school board trustees. 

Candidate Events and Resources

Lead Local: Municipal Election Candidate Information Night

Municipalities across Waterloo Region are coming together to invite hopeful municipal election candidates on how to run for office.

This in-person event aims to amplify messaging, provide guidance to potential candidates, and foster diversity in local governance. Attendees will benefit from formal presentations by experts and elected officials, followed by informal breakout sessions for networking and engagement.

This event is free to attend.

As space may be limited, please RSVP by getting your ticket today!

Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) 

The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) offers a number of information sessions and workshops designed to support aspiring candidates and current elected officials. Visit the AMO website to learn more about available resources and sign up. Some of these resources include:

• Lead where you Live: A Guide to Running for Municipal Council
• AMO's Healthy Democracy Leadership Series: Supporting Local Leadership in run up to the 2026 Municipal Elections.
• Running for Municipal Office: Everything You Need to Know as an Underrepresented Candidate workshop
• An Information Session for Youth Considering Running for Municipal Office
• An Information Session for Urban Indigenous Peoples Considering Running for Municipal Office

Election Signs and Advertising

Election campaign advertisements must identify the name of Candidate or Third-Party Advertiser who purchased the ad. Additional information must be provided by Third Party Advertisers. Please see the 2026 Municipal Election Procedures (available soon) for more information on advertising.

Township Roads

Election signs can only be displayed on Township Roads between September and October, 2026 (Exact dates coming soon). For sign types, size, location, and other information, please see the Township Roads Election Sign Fact Sheet (to be made available soon). For complete election sign rules, please see the Township’s Election Sign By-law (available soon).

Regional Roads 

No election signs are permitted on Regional Roads.

Provincial Highways 

Contact the Ministry of Transportation to inquire if an election sign can be displayed on provincial highways. 

Campaign Finances

Once a Candidate is nominated or a Third Party Advertiser is registered, there are several rules and duties that must be followed related to campaign finances. These rules apply even if a Candidate is acclaimed or withdraws their nomination.

Please review the Campaign Finances section of the 2026 Municipal Election Procedures (available soon) and the Municipal Election Act, 1996 carefully and understand these responsibilities. Penalties are serious for violating campaign finance rules.

Candidates and Third Party Advertisers may wish to seek professional assistance as required.

Candidate Qualifications

Candidates must be eligible to vote in Woolwich Township to run for Council on the day their nomination is filed (see Voter Qualifications for more information). Candidates may run in any ward in the Township. There are additional rules for:

• a municipal employee;
• a judge, Member of Parliament (MP), Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP), or Senator; or
• an inmate.

Candidate Information Sessions

• "Somebody Should Do Something: Run for Office": April 21, 2022 at 6:30 p.m. - Video
• "So You Want to Run For Council": May 4, 2022 at 6:30 p.m.

Nomination and Registration

The nomination period for the 2022 Municipal Election began on May 2, 2022. Nominations occurred by appointment only.  The deadline to file a nomination was August 19, 2022 at 2:00 p.m.

For more information, please see the 2022 Municipal Election Procedures and the Ministry of Municipal Affairs' 2022 Candidates' Guide.

For a complete list of Candidates and Third Party Advertisers please see the List of Candidates page (updated August 25, 2022). More information on the nomination and registration process is available in the 2022 Municipal Election Procedures.