Information for Candidates

The 2026 Municipal Election will see the positions of Mayor, City Councillor and School Board Trustees open to elections. Nominations for these positions will open May 1, 2026 and close on August 21, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.

Candidate information packages are now available in the City Clerk's Office.

How do I file my nomination?

Nominations for these positions will open May 1, 2026 and close on August 21, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.

From May 1, 2026 to August 20, 2026 a nomination meeting must be scheduled with the City Clerk’s Office. Please contact the Clerk's Office to secure your nomination meeting and receive detailed information regarding your nomination.

On Nomination Day (August 21) persons interested in filing a nomination can do so as a walk-in between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., at the City Clerk's Office.

You will need to pay the nomination fee, provide identification and swear an oath at the City Clerk’s Office. You must also complete the following forms:

Nomination Paper - Form 1
Endorsement of Nomination - Form 2 with signatures of 25 voters supporting your nomination
Declaration of Qualifications for Municipal Candidates form or Declaration of Qualifications for School Board form.

Can I withdraw a nomination?

If you no longer wish to run in the City of Stratford’s municipal election, you must file a written withdrawal in-person before 2:00 p.m. on Nomination Day (August 21, 2026).

Am I qualified to run for City Council and School Board Trustee?

Qualifications for Mayor & Councillor

To run for mayor or city councillor in the City of Stratford, on the day the nomination paper is filed, a person must be:

A Canadian citizen
18 years of age or older
A resident of the City of Stratford, or
An owner or tenant of land in the City of Stratford, or the spouse of the owner or tenant

Qualifications for School Board Trustees

To run for any of the four school boards in the City of Stratford on the day the nomination paper is filed, a person must be:

A Canadian citizen
18 years of age or older
A resident in the area of jurisdiction of the school board definition

Definition of Residence

In accordance with the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 a person’s residence is “the permanent lodging place to which, whenever absent, he or she intends to return”.

The following rules apply in determining a person’s residence:

A person may only have one residence at a time
The place where a person’s family resides is also his or her residence, unless he or she moves elsewhere with the intention of changing his or her permanent lodging place
If a person has no other permanent lodging place, the place where he or she occupies a room or part of a room as a regular lodger or to which he or she habitually returns

Running an Accessible Campaign

What types of disability challenges will candidates face during the Election period?

Candidates will need to consider the needs of persons with disabilities that include, but are not limited to, deaf and hard of hearing; deaf-blind; blind or visually impaired; cognitive or mental; speech; mental illness; and mobility.

Why do extra measures need to be taken to reach out to persons with disabilities?

Extra measures need to be taken to communicate to persons with disabilities because not all persons are able to access information that is widely used. This could mean the elector with the disability may not be able to read a newspaper article either in print or on the internet; the elector may not be able to visually see the TV ad or media advertising; the elector may not be able to hear the radio commercial; or the elector may not be able to understand the information presented.

What barriers currently exist between persons with disabilities and the Election?

Currently there are many opportunities for improving the involvement of persons with disabilities and informing them about candidates and election organizers. Accessibility is an ongoing consideration, and ongoing efforts are being made to allow persons with disabilities the proper access to become involved with the Election.

In what ways can candidates reach out to persons with disabilities?

Candidates can visit group homes, old age homes, retirement homes, nursing homes and hospitals to inform the electors of their intentions while running for office.

Candidates can utilize the services of a sign language interpreter and/or a deaf-blind intervener when appropriate.

Written information, both on the internet and in hard copy, can be improved through the use of large print; clear speech communication; and rephrasing when necessary.

Alternate forms of communication can be used such as braille, large print, captioning, electronic text, audio format, descriptive video service (DVS), and sign language video format.

A quiet meeting environment can also be helpful.

The Role of Council

The City of Stratford has one Mayor, and 10 Councillors elected at-large to represent the City.

Role of Council members

The Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MAH) has published a document called, "The Municipal Councillor's Guide." This guide provides an overview of the many duties and challenges elected officials at the municipal level face.

Mayor

The MAH guide is the source of this abbreviated description for the role of head of Council, which in the City of Stratford is referred to as the Mayor:

to act as the municipality's chief executive officer;
to preside over council meetings such that business is carried out both efficiently and effectively;
to provide leadership to the council;
to provide information/recommendations to council on policies, practices, procedures, to ensure transparency and accountability; and,
to represent the municipality at official functions.

Councillors

This abbreviated description for the role of ward Councillor is based on the guide published by MAH:

to represent the public and to consider the well- being and interests of the municipality;
to develop and evaluate the policies and programs of the municipality;
to determine which services the municipality provides;
to maintain the financial integrity of the municipality;
to ensure that administrative policies practices are in place to implement the decisions of council; and,
to ensure the accountability and transparency of the operations of the municipality.

Municipal councillors also sit as members of Standing Committees. These committees carry out much of the work of council and then report back to council with recommendations. As a member of municipal council, you would be required to attend meetings of the Standing Committees on which you are a member, and also to attend meetings of the full City Council.

Voter's List

The Voters’ List will be available to candidates on September 1, 2026.

Candidate's Guide and Information Session

The Province of Ontario has released its candidates' guide for the 2026 municipal and school board election. The guide, which tells you what you need to know to run as a candidate in Ontario municipal council and school board elections, is linked below:

2026 Candidate's Guide

The Association of Municipalities Ontario has prepared a guide to running for municipal council called "Lead Where You Live." The guide is available by clicking the link below:

Lead Where You Live

Candidate Information Sessions were jointly held on February 25 and March 25 with presentations offered by Clerks on Call and the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

Election Signs

Sign By-law

The City’s Sign By-law 159-2004 prohibits and regulates signs and other advertising devices, including election signs, within the City of Stratford. Section 21.1 of the By-law outlines the specific rules for election signs.

In accordance with the City’s Sign By-law, September 11, 2026 is the first day election signs can be displayed in the City of Stratford for the 2026 Municipal Election. Election signs must be removed within forty-eight (48) hours immediately following 11:59 p.m. of the day of the election (October 26).

For an additional resource to the Sign By-law please refer to the Election Sign Candidate Information Bulletin.

Sign Content

The following content requirements for election signs must be adhered to in accordance with section 21.1(g) of the City’s Sign By-law:

Each Election Sign shall identify who is responsible for the messaging.
Each Third Party Sign shall identify the name of the registered Third Party, the municipality where the Third Party is registered and a telephone number, mailing address or email address at which the registered Third Party may be contacted.
No person shall display the City’s logo or the City’s municipal election logo, crest, seal or other City identification in whole or in part, on any Election Sign.

Sign Complaints

To submit a complaint regarding an election sign that may not be installed in accordance with the City’s Sign By-law, please complete the City of Stratford By-law Complaint Form.

In the event of non-compliance with the Sign By-law, Stratford By-law Enforcement Officers will contact the Candidate or Third Party Advertiser about the concern and work collaboratively with them to bring the sign into compliance. Alternatively, the individual responsible for the sign may be asked to remove the sign in contravention of the By-law. Should any signs be placed that cause an immediate safety concern, such as impacting visibility within a sight triangle, By-law Enforcement will remove the sign and contact the individual afterwards to advise.

What should I do if my election sign(s) is/are stolen or vandalized?

If your election sign(s) is/are stolen or vandalized, please contact Stratford Police Services at their non-emergency line (519-271-4141) to report the theft or vandalism.

2026 Candidate Financial Information

Financial Statements

On or before 2:00 p.m. on March 30, 2027, a candidate shall file with the Clerk with whom the nomination was filed a financial statement and auditor's report (see below if required), each in the prescribed form, reflecting the candidate's election campaign finances. Financial statements must be filed even if the candidate withdrew their nomination, did not actively campaign, was acclaimed, filed a Notice of Extension of Campaign (see below), or their nomination was not certified by the Clerk.

If the financial statement is not filed by the deadline, this statement may be filed within 30 days thereafter but requires payment of a $500 late filing fee in accordance with the Municipal Elections Act. This grace period ends at 2:00 p.m. on April 29, 2027. If a candidate files their financial statement within the 30-day grace period they will not receive a refund of their nomination fee.

Supplementary Financial Statements

Any candidate who may be in a deficit position at the end of the campaign period (December 31, 2026) may choose to extend their campaign by filing a Notice of Extension of Campaign (Form 6) to the Clerk. The deadline for a candidate to file a Form 6 is 4:30 p.m. on December 31, 2026 to extend their campaign until June 30, 2027, to continue raising money.

Candidates who extend their campaign must file two financial statements:

The initial filing, which details all campaign finances from the day the nomination was filed until December 31, 2026 (due by 2:00 p.m. on March 30, 2027).
The supplementary filing, which details all campaign finances from the day the nomination was filed until June 30, 2027 (due by 2:00 p.m. on September 24, 2027).

Auditor's Report

If a candidate raised or spent more than $10,000 they must have their financial statement audited and include the auditor's report when they submit their financial statement to the Clerk.

Note: An auditor's report must be prepared by an auditor licensed under the Public Accounting Act, 2004.

2026 Posted Financial Statements

All financial statements filed with the Clerk will be posted on this webpage for public viewing.

Clerk's Report on Financial Filing Compliance

n accordance with section 88.23(4) of the Municipal Elections Act, the Clerk shall make available to the public a report setting out all candidates in an election and indicate whether each candidate complied with section 88.25:

2022 Posted Financial Statements

All financial statements filed with the Clerk are posted on this webpage for public viewing. The financial statements that have been filed to date can be accessed by clicking on the link next to the candidate's name below:

Mayor