2026 Election Information for Candidates

The following are various election resources and guides that will assist in running for Municipal Council or School Board elections.

Pending

• 2026 Voters' Guide for Ontario Municipal Council and School Board Elections
• 2026 Candidates' Guide for Ontario Municipal Council and School Board Elections
• 2026 Guide for Third Party Advertisers
• 2026 Municipal Election Accessibility Plan
• 2026 Telephone Internet Voting Procedures

Available

• Policy 069 Prohibition On The Use Of Town Resources For Election Purposes
• By-Law 2018-32 Election Sign By-Law
• By-Law 2025-090 Internet And Telephone Voting For 2026
• County of Essex Policy for Temporary Election Signs on County Roads
• Interactive Ward Maps

All candidates, including - those not elected, those who withdraw their nomination, and those whose nomination is rejected by the Town Clerk - must disclose and report their contributions and expenses, using the Financial Statement - Auditor's Report - Candidate Form 4.

A Candidate's campaign period starts on the date the nomination is filed and ends on December 31, 2026, or, if the nomination is withdrawn, on the date of withdrawal.

Financial Statements are to be filed with the Town Clerk no later than 2:00PM on March 30, 2027.

Should a Candidate file a Form 6 - Notice of Extension of Campaign Period (linked above) to extend their campaign, the Candidate will be required to file supplementary filings.

To run for Town Council in Tecumseh, you must meet the following requirements:

• be a Canadian Citizen; and
• be at least 18 years old; and
• either reside in the Town of Tecumseh, be the owner or tenant of property located in Tecumseh, or the spouse of an owner or tenant of property located in Tecumseh; and
• not be prohibited from voting under section 17(3) of the Municipal Elections Act, or under any other law.

The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) has assembled an easy to use guide that provides information on preparing to run for Council.  You can find the AMO guide here.

AMO is also offering free workshops for youth interested in running for municipal council in 2026. For further information on these workshops and to register to attend, please see AMO's "An Information Session for Youth Considering Running for Municipal Office".

To run for a trustee position on a school board, you must be eligible to vote in that school board election and meet the following requirements:

• be a Canadian Citizen; and
• be at least 18 years of age or older; and
• be a resident within the jurisdiction of the board;
• not be prohibited from voting under section 17(3) of the Municipal Elections Act, or under any other law; and
• Must meet any other qualifications for the school board (i.e. Roman Catholic, French language rights holder).

The following are disqualified from being elected as a member of council, or from holding office as a member of council:

• A judge of any court.
• A member of Provincial Legislature, the Federal House of Commons or Senate who has not resigned from their office by the close of nominations.
• A candidate who failed to file the necessary financial statement in the last municipal election or by-election.

Yes. In order to submit your nomination, you must provide two pieces of identification. One must show that you are a Canadian citizen and one must identify your qualifying address. All identification must be valid (not expired) and original.

Proof of Canadian Citizenship:

• Canadian Passport
• Canadian Birth Certificate
• Canadian Citizenship Card
• Certificate of Canadian Citizenship
• Certificate of Naturalization
• Secure Certificate of Indian Status or Certificate of Indian Status (Canadian Status Card)
• NEXUS or FAST card

Proof of Qualifying Address:

• Ontario Driver’s Licence
• Ontario Photo Card

Yes. The fee to file a nomination is $100 for the Office of Councillor ($200 for Head of Council). This fee must be paid to the Clerk at the time you submit your nomination form. Your nomination fee will be refunded if you file your campaign financial statement by the deadline of March 30, 2027.

The ability for candidates to withdraw their nominations ends on August 21, 2026 at 2:00PM.

A candidate may withdraw their nomination by filing a written withdrawal to the Clerk's Office.

To obtain the Withdrawal of Nomination form contact us at clerks@tecumseh.ca or 519-735-2184

Once candidates have filed their nomination papers with the Clerk's Office, they are able to begin raising and spending money on their campaign.

Candidates can put up their campaign signs starting September 19, 2026. All lawn signs must adhere to the regulations as contained in Town of Tecumseh Election Sign By-Law 2018-32.

Complaints about lawn signs should be submitted to clerks@tecumseh.ca or can be reported by calling 519-735-2184 during regular business hours.

Candidates must remove their signs by 11:59PM on October 29, 2026.

Yes. Candidates, or their representatives, are permitted to canvas door-to-door in apartments and condos between 9:00AM and 9:00PM.

No, according to section 88.20 (8) of the Municipal Elections Act, the cost of parties and gifts of appreciation after the close of voting do not count towards your regular expense limit for the election. However, these costs are subject to a separate expense limit established in section 88.20 (9) of the MEA.