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

The lead local candidates event was held on April 23, 2026. If you couldn't attend or have more questions, please reach out to the Clerk. 

Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Resources

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

Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing Resources

• 2026 Candidate Guide
• 2026 Third Party Advertiser's Guide
• Nomination Form 1
• Endorsement of Nomination Form 2 (available soon)

Township of Woolwich Resources

• 2026 Election Procedures
• 2026 Election Accessibility Plan
• Use of Corporate Resources for Election Purposes Policy
• Election Sign By-law
• Township Roads Election Sign Fact Sheet

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 for more information on advertising.

Township Roads

Election signs can only be displayed on Township Roads between September 11th  and October 29th, 2026. For sign types, size, location, and other information, please see the Township Roads Election Sign Fact Sheet. For complete election sign rules, please see the Township’s Election Sign By-law.

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 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 [available soon] 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

• Lead Local: Municipal Election Candidate Information Night

Nomination and Registration

The nomination period for the 2026 Municipal Election begins on May 1st , 2026. Nominations can be filed by appointment only.  The deadline to file a nomination is August 21, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.

For more information, please see the 2026 Municipal Election Procedures  and the Ministry of Municipal Affairs' 2026 Candidates' Guide.