Election 2026

Link to the official Town of Erin Municipal Election Page

Candidate Tracker - Who's Running

Coming soon - when nominations open on May 1, 2026

I am creating a Candidate Tracker to help residents easily find information about all declared candidates in one place. By linking publicly available social channels and media coverage, it will give voters a simple, neutral and transparent way to learn more about each candidate and make informed choices in the upcoming election.

Mayor (1 seat)
Councillors (4 seats)
School Trustee
County Councillor

Nominations Open: Monday, May 1, 2026

Nominations Close: Friday, August 21, 2026

All Candidates Debate: October 1, 2026

Election Day: October 26, 2026

Voter Turnout in 2022: 36.1%

Municipal elections in Ontario are held every four years on the fourth Monday in October. All elected officials serve a four-year term, with the next term beginning in November 2026.

The Town of Erin Council is comprised of the Mayor and 4 Councillors. Municipal candidates in Ontario run as independents and do not represent political parties. In the Town of Erin, all members of Council are elected "at large," meaning they represent the entire municipality rather than specific geographic wards.

The Town of Erin is a lower-tier municipality within Wellington County, meaning it is part of a two-tier municipal government system in Ontario. In this system, the lower-tier municipality (The Town of Erin) is responsible for services like local roads and community centers, while the upper-tier municipality (Wellington County) handles services like county roads and social services.

Vote by Mail

Vote-by-Mail (VBM) has been the voting method utilized by the Town since the 2006 municipal election. In this method, a “voting kit” comprised of a declaration form, ballot, secrecy envelope, and pre-paid reply envelope is mailed to all individuals on the Voters’ List. Voters may mark their ballot from anywhere and once completed, mail their reply envelope to the Town using any of Canada Post’s drop off options (e.g., post offices, community mailboxes). Alternatively, voters may also return their ballot using the Town’s own designated secure drop box locations. The phased restructuring of Canada Post will be closely monitored as it relates to the administration of this election.

Candidate Resource

Candidate Information Session - March 25, 2026 - Joint Wellington County Candidate Information Session -
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Wellington County Museum and Archives - 0536 Wellington Rd 18, Fergus

Municipal Act

If you are considering running for Council, one of the first things to do is develop a general understanding of the Municipal Act.

Who Does What in Wellington County?

There are four levels of government in Wellington County, each with their own set of responsibilities and services.

Ontario's Municipal Councillor Guide

The role of Council, Councillor and Staff

Municipal Campaign School

If you’ve ever thought about running for council, mayor, or school board, this is where to start. The Wellington County Municipal Campaign School helps women and members of equity-seeking groups across the county, learn what it takes to run and win. This is volunteer-run and part of a province-wide network of campaign schools.

Workshops for First Time Aspiring Candidates and Leaders Seeking Re-election

AMO's (Association of Municipalities of Ontario) new online workshop series for leaders seeking re-election or first-time aspiring candidates - offered at no charge for participants.

Lead Where You LIve

AMO’s comprehensive guide for anyone considering running in the 2026 municipal election. This resource walks you through what municipal councils do, what it means to serve your community, and the steps involved in launching a successful campaign. Whether you’re exploring the idea or preparing to file your nomination, this guide provides practical information, tools, and insights to support your journey.

Leading with Respect

AMO’s Leading with Respect Handguides provide practical, accessible resources for councils and staff to navigate conflict and build a culture of civility in their workplaces. The Handguides can help to strengthen good governance and community engagement: municipalities can set standards, protect people, and foster cultures of respect within their own institutions

The Healthy Democracy Project

The Healthy Democracy Project will promote the value and importance of municipal governments in Ontario's political system, while focusing on the importance of diversity of leadership and perspectives.

Elect Respect

Harassment and abuse are undermining our democracy. Together, we can rebuild a culture where everyone, candidates, elected officials, and the public, can participate in democracy free from fear or intimidation.

Elect Her Now

electHER Now is a group of women working hard to achieve sustainable gender balance of elected municipal officials.

FCM - Federation of Canadian Municipalities - A Guide for Women Candidates

Equal Voice

Equal Voice is a registered, multi-partisan charity dedicated to improving gender representation in Canadian politics through education, training, research, critical network building, and leadership development.

Podcasts - Cross Border Network

Podcasts with municipal leaders across Canada.

Reference Books

Great reference books available here

A few of my favorites reference books are: