Notice of Nominations
Nominations for the 2026 Municipal and School Board Elections are open. File by appointment at the Municipal Office during regular hours (8:30 AM–4:30 PM), with Nomination Day submissions accepted 9:00 AM–2:00 PM. View the Notice of Nominations for details.
Upcoming Info Session
An interactive Candidate Information Session will be held on May 7, 2026 at 6:00 PM at the West Nipissing Municipal Council Chambers, hosted by the Wishart Municipal Law Group. The session will provide information on the role of Municipal Council, responsibilities of elected officials, and municipal governance practices.
For more information
Melanie Ducharme, Municipal Clerk
elections@westnipissing.ca
Become A Candidate - Filing Your Nomination
To submit your nomination, you must schedule an appointment with the Clerk’s office by telephone at 705-753-5100or by emailing elections@westnipissing.ca. The following documents must be filed in person with the Municipal Clerk:
- A completed Nomination Form (Form 1)
- The applicable nomination fee. Under clause 33(2)(c) of the Municipal Act, the fee is $100 for most positions, and $200 for candidates running for head of council (O. Reg. 150/18, s. 1)
- A completed Endorsement of Nomination Form (Form 2)
Once your campaign has concluded, you are required to submit the following to the Municipal Clerk at elections@westnipissing.ca:
Please note: Nomination fees can be paid by cash, certified cheque, money order, or electronic payment if permitted by the Clerk. Candidates must present valid identification at the time of filing. Only original forms with signatures will be accepted, and they must be submitted in person by the candidate or an authorized agent. Nomination papers must also include 25 endorsement signatures from eligible voters using Form 2. This signature requirement does not apply to candidates for school board trustee positions.
Important Dates
| Revisions to Voter Information | NOW! Update and confirm your information or register to vote atwww.registertovoteon.ca |
| Nomination Period | May 1, 2026 to August 21, 2026 (2PM) |
| Third Party Advertiser Registration | May 1, 2026 to to October 23, 2026 |
| Campaign Period | From Date of Filing Nomination Paper (on or after May 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026) |
| Nomination Day | August 21, 2026 (2 PM) |
| Withdrawal of Nominations | 2PM on August 21, 2026 |
| Preliminary List of Electors Delivered | August TBD |
| Voters’ List available | September 1, 2026 |
| Electronic Voting Period Begins | October 14, 2026 at 9 AM |
| Voting Day | October 26, 2026 (8 PM) |
| Declaration of Results | October 27, 2026 |
| Filing Date | March 30, 2027 2 PM Deadline |
Eligibility
- a candidate must be a resident of the Municipality or a non-resident owner or tenant of land in the Municipality or the spouse of such non-resident owner or tenant;
- a Canadian citizen and at least 18 years old;
- not legally prohibited from voting; and not disqualified by any legislation from holding municipal office;
- candidates need 25 signatures on their nomination form and must pay a fee.
Documents and Forms
| FORM # | TITLE | DESCRIPTION |
| FORM1 | Nomination Form | Filed by all candidates seeking office. |
| FORM2 | Filed by all candidates seeking office must accompany the Nomination Form. (form must contain 25 elector signatures supporting candidate’s candidacy | |
| FORM4 | – Auditor’s Report | All candidates must file Form 4. Candidates who receive contributions or incur expenses in excess of $10,000 must also attach an Auditor’s Report. All surplus funds shall be paid to the Municipal Clerk. |
| FORM5 | – Subsequent Expenses | To be filed if a candidate has incurred costs related to a recount, compliance audit, or supplementary filing period has passed and who has applied for the return of their surplus funds to defray those costs. |
| FORM6 | Notice of Extension of Campaign Period | To be completed and filed by candidates or registrants requesting an extension of the campaign period due to a deficit. |
| FORM9 | Declaration of Identity | To be completed by persons who do not present the prescribed proof of identity and residence. This form must be completed at the voting place. |
Additional Documents:
- Notice of Penalties
- Telephone/Internet Voting Method - Policies and Procedures
- By-law 2006/60 Use of French and English in Notices , Forms, and Other Information
- By-law 2025/72 Use of Alternative Voting Methods (Internet and Telepgone) 2026 Municipal and School Board Election
- Consent Form - Candidate Information (municipal website posting)
Campaign Finances
Dowload the Notice of Penalties
As stated in Section 33, the Clerk shall provide information pertaining to financial guidelines upon a filing of a person’s nomination
Candidates’ Campaign Expense Limit
4.1. In accordance with Section 88.20 of the MEA, the Clerk will determine the maximum campaign expense limits a candidate may spend on his or her campaign using the prescribed formula. The Clerk will calculate the amount for the Final Certificate of Maximum Campaign Expenses using the number of eligible electors on the Voters’ List for the 2026 Municipal Election. The Certificate will be provided to each Candidate, via email.
Election Finances
4.2. Information regarding election finances and campaign contributions, including financial responsibilities of candidates, campaign contributions/fundraising, campaign expenses and financial reporting is available in the Ministry of Municipal Affairs’ 2026 Candidates’ Guide for Ontario Municipal and School Board Elections. This and other documentation can be found on the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing website: www.mah.gov.on.ca
The below information is provided for convenience:
• Corporations and trade unions that hold bargaining rights for employees in Ontario are prohibited from contributing to an individual campaign. A corporation or trade union that contravenes the campaign financing provisions of the MEA, is liable to fines up to $50,000. These types of organizations may contribute to registered third party advertisers’ campaigns (see section D – Third Party Advertisers, below).
• Candidates will be required to inform contributors of the contribution limits. A contributor is limited to a total of $1,200 to any one candidate in an election and $5,000 to two or more candidates for office on the same council or local board.
• An individual, including the candidate, who contravenes the provisions of the MEA, is liable to fines of up to $25,000.
• Candidates are required to open a separate bank account. If they receive contributions (including donations, spouse or themselves) or incur expenditures related to their campaign, these must be reflected in their account statement.
All candidates are required to file a financial statement using the prescribed form. Electronic submissions will not be accepted. The received financial statements will be publicly disclosed through the municipal website. For more information regarding financial statements, see section, Post-Election.
2026 Municipal Election – Campaign Expense Limits
Legislated Formula (Municipal Elections Act)
| Office | Maximum Campaign Expense Spending Limit | Amount Contributed to Own Campaign | Maximum Amount for Parties, etc. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | $7,500 + $0.85 per elector | $5,000 + $0.20 per elector (maximum $25,000) | 10% of maximum campaign expenses |
| Councillors | $5,000 + $0.85 per elector | $5,000 + $0.20 per elector (maximum $25,000) | 10% of maximum campaign expenses |
| School Board Trustee | $5,000 + $0.85 per elector | $5,000 + $0.20 per elector (maximum $25,000) | 10% of maximum campaign expenses |
Municipality of West Nipissing – 2026 Preliminary Campaign Limits
MAYOR
Total Electors: 13,985
- Maximum Campaign Expense:
$7,500 + (0.85 × 13,985) = $19,387.25 - Own Contribution Limit:
$5,000 + (0.20 × 13,985) = $7,797.00 - Maximum for Parties, etc. (10%):
$1,938.73
Election Signs
The Municipality of West Nipissing By-Law 2018/76 contains provisions related to election signs. Please refer to the by-law for full details.
• Sign permits are not required.
• Election signs may be erected in any zone.
• Election signs are permitted on municipal road allowances and on private property subject to certain conditions.
All election signage must be removed immediately following the election. Failure to comply may result in a candidate or third party advertiser being invoiced for the collection and disposal of any remaining signage by the Municipality.