2026 Municipal Election

The next municipal election will be held on October 26, 2026.

The previous municipal election was held on October 24, 2022. Under the Municipal Elections Act, the four-year term of office for the current council and school board trustees began November 15, 2022 and ends on November 14, 2026.

This page is dedicated to providing residents with resources, information, and key dates related to the upcoming municipal election. Check back for updates as the election approaches.

Information for Voters

We encourage you to confirm that you are on the Voters List as soon as possible. Being on the list will make your voting experience easier, and help you avoid a trip to the municipal office to be added closer to the election.

If you are a resident, owner or tenant of property in Ontario, a Canadian citizen, at least 18 years old and not legally prohibited from voting, you can vote in Ontario’s municipal and school board elections.

By visiting Register to Vote, eligible voters can:

  • confirm their information on the voters list
  • update, add or remove information on the voters list

Register to Vote is easy to use:

  • To confirm your information, you'll need your name, date of birth, and property address.
  • Additional ID is required to update, add or remove voter information.
  • You can also register as an absentee voter or if you are 16 or 17, add your name to the list of future voters.  

If you have questions about the Register to Vote process, please contact Register to Vote:

School Board Support

As a property owner, you are required to support a school system even if you do not have children or your children are not currently attending school. The school board you support dictates for which school board trustees you are eligible to vote.

The Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) is responsible for maintaining information on the school support associated with your property.

The Municipality of Lambton Shores Council approved the use of internet voting for 2026. The Municipality of Lambton Shores has successfully used this voting method since 2018.

More information about how to vote, including video tutorials, will be shared close to the voting period.

View By-Law 6 of 2026: Alternative Voting Method

Election Day is Monday, October 26, 2026. There will be an online voting period leading up to 8:00 p.m. on Election Day

The Voting Period is set for October 16, 2026 at 9:00am through to October 26, 2026 at 8:00pm

The new term of Council will be November 15, 2026 to November 14, 2030.

The Municipality will offer a Voting Help Centre during the voting period. The Voting Help Centre will be located at the administration building (9577 Port Franks Road, Thedford).

Voting Help Centre Dates and Times:

  • October 16, 2026 from 9:00am to 4:30pm
  • October 17, 2026 from 9:00am to 1:00pm
  • October 19, 2026 from 8:30am to 4:30pm
  • October 20, 2026 from 8:30am to 4:30pm
  • October 21, 2026 from 8:30am to 4:30pm
  • October 22, 2026 from 8:30am to 4:30pm
  • October 23, 2026 from 8:30am to 4:30pm
  • October 24, 2026 from 9:00am to 1:00pm
  • October 26, 2026 (Election Day) from 8:30am to 8:00pm

The Municipality of Lambton Shores has a ward system with the Mayor and Deputy Mayor elected at large. In the Municipal election, you will have the opportunity to cast a vote for:

  1. Mayor (one elected at large)
  2. Deputy Mayor (one elected at large)
  3. Ward Councillor (one elected by each ward)

Helpful Ward Maps:

On Election Day, the Clerk will declare the unofficial results. Results will be shared on the Municipal website as soon as possible once the voting period closes.

Information for Candidates

The Municipality of Lambton Shores Council approved the use of internet voting for 2026. The Municipality of Lambton Shores has successfully used this voting method since 2018.

More information about how to vote, including video tutorials, will be shared close to the voting period.

View By-Law 6 of 2026: Alternative Voting Method

Nominations for the Municipality of Lambton Shores will be accepted for the offices of:

  • Mayor (1): one elected at large
  • Deputy Mayor (1): one elected at large
  • Councillors (7): seven positions (one elected per ward)

View the Lambton Shores Ward Map

Nomination Period: Nominations can be filed starting May 1, 2026 and ends on August 21, 2026 at 2:00pm.

Nomination Packages must be filed in person at 9577 Port Franks Road, Thedford with the Clerk. Please schedule an appointment by emailing the Clerk at stroyer-boyd@lambtonshores.ca

Please allow yourself 30 minutes for your scheduled appointment, which will included submitting the required forms and fees, as well as reviewing additional elections forms with the Clerk. Identification that shows your address must be provided at the time of filing your nomination papers.

Nomination Package:

  1. Nomination Form - Form 1
  2. Endorsement Form - Form 2
  3. Financial Statement - Form 4
  4. 2026 Candidate Guide
  5. Internet Voting Election Policies and Procedures for the 2026 Municipal & School Board Elections
  6. Use of Corporate Resources for Election Purposes Policy
  7. Election Sign By-Law
  8. Map of Electoral Wards

Anyone wishing to run for Council must submit the signatures of 25 eligible electors supporting the nomination. The individuals providing the signatures will each have to sign a declaration stating that they were eligible to vote in the municipality on the day they signed the endorsement.

Nomination Filing Fees:

  • $200 for the Office of Mayor
  • $100 for Councillors and School Board Trustees

The campaign period begins when a candidate files their nomination form during the Nomination Period and ends on December 31, 2026. Alternative time periods apply if the candidate withdraws their nomination, the Clerk rejects the nomination, or the candidate extends their campaign to eliminate a deficit. s.88.24(1),(2)

List of important dates for the 2026 Election:

  • Friday, May 1, 2026: Nomination Period begins
  • Monday, June 1, 2026: Last day to review or change school support designation for electors. Visit school-support.mpac.ca to learn more
  • Wednesday, August 12, 2026: Last day to check and make revisions or add electors to the voters list through Elections Ontario
  • Friday, August 21, 2026 at 2:00pm: Nomination Period ends
  • Friday, October 16, 2026 at 9:00am: Voting begins
  • Monday, October 26, 2026: Election Day
  • Tuesday, November 17, 2026: Inaugural Meeting
  • Thursday, December 31, 2026: End of Campaign Period for Candidates
  • Tuesday, March 30, 2027 at 2:00pm: Deadline for Candidates to file their Financial Statement - Form 4

On Election Day, the Clerk will declare the unofficial results. Results will be shared on the Municipal website as soon as possible once the voting period closes.

Information for Third Party Advertisers

Third party advertising refers to advertisements or other materials that support, promote or oppose a candidate, or support, promote or oppose a “yes” or “no” answer to a question on the ballot. The meaning of “third party” in this context means a person or entity who is not a candidate.

Third party advertising is separate from any candidate’s campaign, and must be done independently from a candidate. Any advertisements or materials that are made and distributed by a candidate, or under a candidate’s direction, are part of the candidate’s campaign.

A third party advertisement is an advertisement in any broadcast, print, electronic or other medium that promotes, supports or opposes a candidate, or a “yes” or “no” answer to a question on the ballot. Advertisement includes traditional ads as well as materials such as brochures or signs.

Below are important dates for Third Party Advertisers, in addition to the dates listed in the Candidates section above:

  • Thursday, December 31, 2026: End of Campaign period for Third Party Advertisers
  • Tuesday, March 30, 2027 at 2:00pm: Deadline for Third Party Advertisers to file their Financial Statement - Form 8

Questions related to the 2026 Municipal Election?

Please contact elections@lambtonshores.ca

Contact Us

9577 Port Franks Road, Thedford, ON N0M 2N0
Municipal Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Phone: 519-243-1400 | 1-866-943-1400 | Fax: 519-243-8611