As of May 1, 2026, Candidate Nominations for the 2026 Municipal Elections can be filed with the  Clerks Office until August 21, 2026 at 2:00 P.M. Visit Cramahevotes.ca or stop in at Townhall to pick up a Candidate Information package to learn more. 

Thinking of Running for Council? 
Training for Municipal Candidates & Election Campaign Advertisers

Thursday May 14th, 2026 @ 6:00 PM 

 

Information for Candidates

Cramahe Township Council is made up of the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and three Councillors. In addition to local responsibilities, the Mayor represents Cramahe Township on the upper-tier Council for the County of Northumberland.

Council typically meets once per month for a regular Council meeting and once per month for a Committee of the Whole meeting, with the exception of August. Special meetings are scheduled as required, including Special Budget meetings, which generally occur toward the end of each calendar year. Members of Council also participate on various Advisory Committees, each with assigned portfolios that support Township operations and community priorities.

Candidate registration for the 2026 Municipal Election may be filed in person or by an agent with the Returning Officer as of Friday, May 1, 2026.

Key Dates for the 2026 Municipal Election: (Also see further key dates tab)

  • Nomination Period Opens: 9am on May 1, 2026

  • Nomination Day (Deadline to File): August 21, 2026, by 2:00 p.m.

  • Election Day: October 26, 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

Have a question? Please connect with the Clerks Department. 

Offices to Be Elected

In the upcoming municipal election, residents will elect a Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and three Councillors to represent the community at large. With no wards, each elected official serves all residents equally, working together to provide leadership, make local decisions, and guide the future of our community of approximately 6,200 people. These roles offer an opportunity to help shape local services, policies, and priorities that reflect the needs and values of the entire municipality.

Eligibility Requirements

To run for office, a candidate must:

  • Be at least 18 years old

  • Be a Canadian Citizen

  • Be a resident of Cramahe Township, or an owner or tenant of land in the Township (or a spouse of an owner or tenant)

  • No be legally prohibited from voting or holding office

Filing a Nomination

The nomination period for the 2026 municipal election runs from May 1, 2026 until August 21, 2026. Nomination forms will be available beginning May 1, 2026 from the Office of the Clerk. Nomination papers must be signed by the candidate and may be filed in person at the Township Office at 1 Toronto St. Colborne ON K0K 1S0 during the following times:

  • May 1 to August 20, 2026: during regular business hours, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday to Thursday and Friday 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

  • Friday, August 21, 2026 (Nomination Day): between : 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

 

When filing a nomination, candidates must bring the required documentation:

2026 Candidate Information Package

Nomination Paper - Form 1

Endorsement of Nomination - Form 2

Declaration of Qualifications (Must be signed in front of Clerk/ Designate)

MFIPPA -Information Release Form

Financial Statement -Auditors Report Candidate - Form 4

Registration of Third Party Advertiser - Form 7

2026 MMAH Candidates Guide

Key Dates Guide

Muncipal Elections Financial Filing

Every candidate for an election (including any candidate who withdraws their nomination) and every registered third party advertiser is required to file a campaign financial statement.

The Clerk is required to post financial statements for elections to Offices for the current Term of Council on the Township website.

Filing Deadlines

Candidates and registered third party advertisers must file according to legislated deadlines.

  • Preliminary Campaign Financial Statement (and auditors report, if required): 2 p.m. on Tuesday, March 30, 2027

  • Candidates or registered third party advertisers who filed an optional Form 6 to extend their campaign due to a deficit must file a supplementary campaign financial statement (and auditors report, if required) by 2 p.m. on Friday, September 24, 2027.

30-day Grace Period

Any candidate or registered third party advertiser who misses the filing deadline can submit their financial statement up to 30 days later, provided they also pay the $500 late filing fee as required by the Municipal Elections Act.

Changes to a Financial Statement

Candidates and registered third party advertisers who submit a financial statement and later identify an error may withdraw their original statement and submit a new one by 2 p.m. on the filing deadline. Only corrected campaign financial statements will be posted to the website.

Important Notice

Candidates are responsible for complying with all applicable campaign finance rules under the Municipal Elections Act, 1996. 

Municipal staff are unable to interpret rules or legislation for a candidate. If clarification is required regarding your individual obligations, candidates and registered third party advertisers may wish to consult a legal and/or an accounting professional

 

Key Resources &  Legislation

 

  • May 1, 2026 - Nomination period opens until 2pm on August 21, for Candidates and Third Party Advertisers
  • May 14, 2026 - County training for Municipal Candidates & Third Party Advertisers
  • June 1, 2026 – Last day for voters to update their school supports with MPAC
  • August 21, 2026 – Nomination day (deadline to file) from 9:00am to 2:00pm. / Last day for a candidate to withdraw themselves.
  • August 24, 2026 – Clerk certifies candidates and declares any acclamations by 4:00pm.
  • August 26, 2026 - Additional candidate nominations may be filed between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. if the number of nominations filed for an office is less than the number of persons to be elected to the office.
  • September 1, 2026 – Voters’ list is available to candidates
  • October 1, 2026 – Last day for the Clerk’s office to provide final certificates of applicable maximum amounts for each office.

The Clerk shall provide:

    • A certificate of the applicable maximum amount of expenses.
    • A certificate of the applicable maximum amount of contributions to a candidate’s own election campaign.
    • A certificate of the applicable maximum amount for parties, etc. after Voting Day.

  • October 23, 2026 - Last day for Third Party Advertisers to file a notice of registration on the Friday before voting day during the Clerk’s office hours or to withdraw their registration.
  • October 24th – 25th, 2026 – Advance voting (Locations Pending)
  • October 26, 2026 – Voting day 9:00am – 8:00pm.
  • November 15, 2026 – New term of office to begin
  • December 31, 2026 - Election campaign period ends
  • March 1, 2027 - Last day of the 30-day period before the initial filing date to provide candidates and registered third party advertisers with notice of filing requirements for initial financial statements and auditors reports.
  • March 25, 2027 - Last day before the initial filing date for candidates and registered third party advertisers to apply to the Superior Court of Justice to extend time for filing initial financial statements and auditors reports.
  • March 30, 2027 - By 2 p.m., Deadline for candidates and registered third-party advertisers to file their initial financial statements and auditor’s reports for the election year. This is also the last day to notify the Clerk in writing if an application has been made to the Superior Court of Justice to request an extension for filing.

Key Election Dates

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Clerks Department

Township of Cramahe Clerks Department
1 Toronto Street, P.O. Box 357
Colborne, ON K0K 1S0

Email: Clerk@cramahe.ca

Phone: 905-355-2821
Coming Soon - Cramahe Votes Hotline

Office Hours

Monday-Thursday 8:30 am to 5:00pm

Friday 8:30am-12:30pm