Nomination Period Opens May 1 for 2026 Municipal and School Board Elections

The Town of St. Marys is providing formal notice to municipal electors that the nomination period for the 2026 Municipal and School Board Election will open on May 1, 2026. Eligible candidates are invited to submit nomination papers for municipal council and school board trustee positions in accordance with the Municipal Elections Act, 1996.

Notice is hereby given to the municipal electors of the Town of St. Marys that nomination papers for the 2026 Municipal Election may be filed in person or by an agent with the Municipal Clerk beginning May 1, 2026 for the following offices:

Municipal Council

·    One (1) Mayor

·    Six (6) Councillors

School Board Trustees

·    One (1) Avon Maitland District School Board. Filed with Municipality of West Perth.

·    One (1) Huron-Perth Catholic District School Board. Filed with Municipality of West Perth.

·    One (1) Conseil scolaire Viamonde (French Public). Filed with City of London.

·    One (1) Conseil scolaire catholique Providence (French Separate). Filed with City of Sarnia.

Nomination Filing Details

Nomination Period is May 1, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. to August 21, 2026, at 2:00 p.m.

Nomination packages are available at St. Marys Town Hall, 175 Queen Street East, St. Marys, during office hours (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.). Packages may also be found on the Town’s website at townofstmarys.com/candidate

Municipal nomination forms must be filed in person at St. Marys Town Hall by Friday, August 21 at 2:00 p.m.

Nominations forms for school board candidates shall be filed with the respective municipalities as listed above.

Nomination Process

In accordance with the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, nominations must be filed using the prescribed forms, accompanied by the prescribed nomination filing fee. Nominations for an office on a council must be endorsed by at least 25 persons who are eligible to vote in St. Marys on the day that they signed the endorsement. The filing fee is $200.00 for the offices of Mayor and $100.00 for all other offices. The filing fee is payable by cash, debit, certified cheque, or money order.

A nomination must be signed by the candidate and may be filed in person or by an agent by booking an appointment with the Clerk, during regular business hours between May 1, 2026, and August 20, 2026. On August 21, 2026 (Nomination Day) nominations can be filed between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. without an appointment. When filing, the candidate must provide photo ID which includes their name and qualifying address. If a nomination for a candidate is filed by an agent, a letter must be submitted at the time of filing which authorizes the agent to file on behalf of the candidate. The letter must be signed by the candidate and commissioned or notarized by a person authorized under the Commissioners for Taking Affidavits Act or Notaries Act. In addition to this letter, an agent must also provide a copy of the candidate's ID.

No person who proposes to be a candidate may solicit or accept contributions for election purposes or incur campaign expenses until a nomination paper has been filed.

Questions about the nomination process can be directed to the Clerk’s Office by email at clerksoffice@town.stmarys.on.ca or by phone to 519-284-2340 ext. 212. Further election details may also be found on the Town’s website at townofstmarys.com/election.

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For media inquiries:

Lauren Thomson-Vernooy, Corporate Communications Coordinator
519-284-2340 ext. 432 | lthomson@town.stmarys.on.ca