The nomination period for the 2026 municipal election opens May 1, 2026 and Nomination Day is August 21, 2026.

More information will be available regarding registration in early 2026.

Candidate Qualifications

A person is qualified to be elected or hold office as a member of Council only if, as of the day they file their nomination they are:

• Entitled to be an elector:
  • Is a Canadian citizen
  • Is at least 18 years of age
  • Resides in the Township of Georgian Bay, or is the owner or tenant of land in the local municipality, or the spouse of such a person
  • Is not prohibited as noted or otherwise by law
• To run in an upper-tier municipality, the individual must be an eligible elector in a lower-tier municipality that is part of the upper-tier municipality
• Not disqualified for violation of financial requirements or violations of requirements for filing financial information
• Not disqualified by any Act from holding such office
• Not disqualified under the provisions as outlined in the Municipal Elections Act

  Offices for Nomination

  Aspiring candidates can only be nominated for one office in the municipality. The following offices will be up for nomination:

  • Mayor (also serves as a District Councillor)
  • District Councillor (Wards 1 and 3)
  • District Councillor (Wards 2 and 4)
  • Ward 1 Councillor
  • Ward 2 Councillor
  • Ward 3 Councillor
  • Ward 4 Councillor

   

  School Board Trustees

  For more information on nomination processes for school board trustees, please contact the lead municipality noted for each office below.

  • English Public - Trillium Lakeland District School Board - Town of Gravenhurst 
  • English Public - Near North District School Board - Town of Parry Sound
  • French Public - Viamonde - Municipality of East Ferris *
  • English Separate - Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board - Town of Bracebridge
  • French Separate - MonAvenir - City of Barrie

  * Candidates from the Township of Georgian Bay may file with the local Clerk as the municipality is further than 100 km in distance.

   

  Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) Resources

  Keep an eye on the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) website for information on the 2026 election. 

  We will post relevant information here as it becomes available.

   

  Use of Municipal Resources 

  No candidate or Member of Council is permitted to uses Township resources, including facilities, services, and staff for their election campaign.

   

  The Township's 'Use of Municipal Resources in Municipal Elections' Policy establishes guidelines for the use of corporate resources during elections. 

   

  Filing Requirements

  Details on the process for filing for nomination will be posted as it becomes available. 

   

  You will need the following items to file your nomination papers:

  • Nomination paper
  • Endorsement of nomination - minimum of 25 signatures from residents of The Township of Georgian Bay 
  • Voter identification per Ontario's O. Reg. 304/13
  • Proof of qualifying address
  • Nomination filing fee
  • Sign deposit fee

Elections Ontario Voter Registration

Residents can use Elections Ontario's website to check or update their information for provincial and municipal elections. 

Voter Registration website 

EN: https://RegisterToVoteOn.ca  

FR: http://InscriptionVoteON.ca  

School Support Designation

The Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) manages what school board is attached to each property. 

You can check and update your school support designation using MPAC's AboutMyProperty tool. Click here for more information.

Voter Qualification

A person is entitled to be an elector at an election held in a local municipality (unless prohibited by the Municipal Elections Act or any other Act) if on Voting Day (Monday, October 26, 2026) they are:

• A Canadian citizen
• At least 18 years of age
• Reside in the municipality, or are the owner or tenant of land in the municipality, or a spouse or partner of such a person
• Not prohibited from voting as noted below or otherwise by law

It is the responsibility of the elector to ensure they are qualified.

A tenant of land in the municipality would be required to provide proof of residence, such as a copy of their rental/lease agreement and another piece of identification showing their name and address.

A tenant or owner of property under a fractional or time share contract are not entitled to vote unless the person(s) are entitled to use the land on voting day or for a period of six weeks or more during the calendar year in which voting day of the election is held.

Revisions to Voter Information

During the revision period, electors may make an application to be added to or amend their information on the Voter’s List up to and including Voting Day.

Electors will be able to utilize the Voter Registration Portal on the Township’s website to complete and submit electronically to the Clerk an online Application to Amend or Correct the Voters’ List (Form EL-15). Proper identification illustrating the name and qualifying address of the elector is required to process all applications.

Electors will be able to visit the Voter Help Centre to make an application to be added or to amend their information. Details of process will be included in future election procedures as required by the Municipal Elections Act.

Voters must present one piece of identification showing their name and address. 

Acceptable documents per provincial legislation include:

• Driver's licence
• Health card
• Photo card

For a full list of acceptable identification, check O. Reg. 304/13.

Third Party Advertisers

A third party advertisement is an advertisement in any medium that has the purpose of promoting, supporting, or opposing a candidate(s) or a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to a question on a ballot.

Does not include: 

• An advertisement by and under the direction of a candidate
• Where no expenses are incurred by the person/entity in relation to the advertisement
• When given or transmitted by an individual to employees, by a corporation to its shareholders, directors, members or employers or by a trade union to its members or employees
• Advertising that does not cost money to post or to broadcast, such as comments made on social media will not be considered to be a third party advertising

Third Party Advertisers Qualifications

Individuals, corporations or trade unions are eligible to register as a third party advertiser provided that they have formally registered with the Clerk.

The following are not permitted to register:

• Municipal election candidate
• Federal and Provincial political parties, constituency associations, registered candidates and leadership contestants
• The Crown in right of Canada or Ontario, a municipality, or a municipal local board

Filing Requirements

• Form 7 - Notice of Registration - Third Party
• Voter Identification per O.Reg. 304/13 or Proof of Corporation
• Sign Deposit

For more information, please see the Council 101 Guide or contact the Georgian Bay Clerk's Office at elections@gbtownship.ca.

Ward Maps

By-law 2013-57 describes and includes a map of the ward boundaries for the municipal election.  

You can also look for your ward using the Interactive Ward Map.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When is Election Day?

Election Day is on Monday, October 26, 2026.

How can I vote?

Where do election rules come from?

In Ontario, municipal elections are legislated by the Municipal Elections Act. 

I'm a tenant, how do I add myself to the voters list?

If you are a qualified voter who resides in the Township of Georgian Bay on election day, or if you are present for a minimum of six weeks cumulatively in 2026, you may add yourself to the voters list using the Elections Ontario Voter Registration Portal.

Who can I contact with questions about the election?

If you have any questions regarding the 2026 municipal and school board elections, contact the Department of Corporate Services at clerks@gbtownship.ca.

Key Dates

2026

May 1 - Candidate Nomination period opens

May 1 - Third Party Advertiser registration opens

August 21 - Nomination period closes 

August 21 - Final day to withdraw nomination 

August 24 - Declare acclamation (if applicable)

September 26 - Voting period opens

October 23 - Third Party Advertiser registration closes

October 26 - Election Day (voting period closes)

November 15 - New term of Council begins

November 16 - Inaugural Council meeting

2027

March 30 - Financial statements and disclosures due