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Candidate and Third-Party Advertiser Information

Now that you’ve decided to run for Council, you’re taking a meaningful step toward helping shape the future of your community.

As a Council member, you would take on important responsibilities, engage with diverse perspectives, and make thoughtful decisions on complex issues. The role can involve navigating challenging or controversial matters, always with the best interests of residents in mind.

Important information for Candidates

To run for municipal Council, you must meet the following requirements:

  • be a Canadian citizen and at least 18 years of age
  • be a resident or non-resident elector in the municipality where you are filing your nomination
  • be eligible to hold office on the day your nomination is filed

If the municipality is divided into wards, you may run in any ward. However, if you run in a ward where you do not live, you will not be able to vote for yourself.

For more detailed guidance, consult the Ontario Municipal Councillor’s Guide.

Pick up a Candidate Nomination Package at our Administration Office during regular office hours, or download and complete the required forms.

Nominations for all positions may be filed during regular office hours beginning May 1, 2026, at 8:30 a.m., until Nomination Day on August 21, 2026, at 2:00 p.m.

Before filing your nomination, please book an appointment with our Elections staff to make sure we're available to assist you. Email election@severn.ca or call 705-325-2315 to make an appointment. 

Date Details
April 23, 2026 Severn Candidate Information Session, Administration Office (1024 Hurlwood Lane), 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
May 1, 2026 Nominations Open at 8:30 a.m.
July 15, 2026 Joint Candidate Information Session, Rotary Place, Orillia (100 University Avenue), hosted by Ministry Municipal Affairs and Housing, 6:00 p.m.
August 21, 2026 Nomination Day (nominations accepted from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.)
August 21, 2026 Deadline for Withdrawal of Nominations at 2:00 p.m.
August 24, 2026 Nominations certified or rejected; List of Candidates posted by 4:00 p.m.
August 27, 2026 Election signs can be posted if deposit by Candidate has been filed
September 1, 2026 Revision Period commences for the Voters' List
October 15, 2026 Online voting opens through to Election Day
October 17, 2026 In-person advance voting, Administration Office (1024 Hurlwood Lane), 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
October 20, 2026 In-person advance voting, Coldwater Community Centre (11 Michael Anne Drive), 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
October 23, 2026 In-person advance voting, Washago Community Centre (4361 Hamilton Street), 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
October 26, 2026 Election Day (ward specific voting locations from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.)
November 25, 2026 Inaugural Meeting of the 2026-2029 Council
March 30, 2027 Candidate Financial Report Due

Unofficial Candidates List

Nominations for the 2026 Municipal Election open on Friday, May 1, 2026. As nomination papers are filed, the Unofficial List of Candidates will be updated on our main Elections page with information about individuals who have submitted nomination papers to run for office in Severn.

Official Certified Candidates List

After Nomination Day, the Clerk will review and certify nominations in accordance with the Municipal Elections Act, 1996. The Official List of Certified Candidates will be posted once certification is complete. The certification deadline for the 2026 Municipal Election is Monday, August 24, 2026, by 4:00 p.m.

Important note

Candidates are listed for information purposes only. Township of Severn does not endorse any candidate.

Candidate Nomination Package

The Candidate Nomination Package provides key information for anyone interested in running for municipal office in Severn, including eligibility, nominations, campaign finance, and election rules. It is intended to support candidates.

The Candidate Nomination Package includes the forms, by-law, policies, and campaign information you need to know when running for Council: 

If you prefer a hard-copy (printed) package, you can pick one up at our Administration Office (1024 Hurlwood Lane) during regular business hours.

If you experience any issues downloading or accessing the required forms (Form 1, Form 2, and Form 4) you can visit Ontario's Central Form Repository to download the forms directly.

Additional resources

We encourage you to review the resources below as you consider running for Council.

Association of Municipalities of Ontario Election Resources and Training Ontario Municipal Councillor's Guide School Board Trustees: Who are they and why are they important? School board trustee elections

Third-party Advertisers

If a person, company, or union wants to run election ads in Severn, they must register with the Clerk before spending any money on the ads.

A third-party ad is any message in any format — such as a billboard, newspaper ad, radio ad, or online ad — that supports or opposes a candidate, or supports a “yes” or “no” vote on a ballot question.

This does not include ads about general issues. Groups can still share information and continue their regular public advocacy during the municipal election period.

Third Party Advertisers Guide By-law to Regulate Election Signs Form 7 Third Party Notice of Registration Form 8 Third Party Financial Statement Auditors Report Central Form Repository

Contact us

1024 Hurlwood Lane
Severn, Ontario

Phone: 705-325-2315
Fax: 705-327-5818
Contact us

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