Every 4 years, voters across Ontario decide who will represent their interests and lead their communities by electing the members of their municipal councils and school boards.

The Province of Ontario sets out common rules that all candidates and voters must follow. However, municipalities are responsible for conducting elections to their council and for conducting the election of school trustees to Ontario’s school boards. This guide contains information about the rules that are the same for all municipal elections, such as who is eligible to run for office, and rules about campaign spending.

Your municipality may have specific rules on issues such as:

  • where and when election signs may be displayed
  • whether campaign activities may occur on municipal property
  • whether those who make contributions to candidates may receive a rebate

Contact your municipal clerk if you have questions about the election in your municipality.

The municipal clerk

Every municipality has a municipal clerk who is in charge of running the election.

Contact the municipal clerk if you are interested in becoming a candidate. The clerk’s office is where forms, such as the nomination form and campaign financial statements, must be filed. The clerk is also responsible for providing information about spending limits and filing deadlines to candidates.

If your municipality does not have a website you could visit or contact your town hall for more information.