The next Municipal and School Board Election will be held on Monday, October 26, 2026.
For any questions regarding the 2026 Municipal Election, please contact the City Clerk's Office by email or by phone at 519-271-0250 extension 5237.
Voters list and how to update your information
Elections Ontario maintains the Permanent Register of Electors for Ontario, commonly known as the Register or Voters List. This list includes individuals who are eligible to vote in provincial and municipal elections across Ontario.
You can use Elections Ontario’s Voter Registration application to confirm, update, or add your information if you:
- Have changed your name or address
- Own or rent a new property
- No longer own or rent a property
- Want to remove your information from the Register or Voters List
Register today by visiting RegisterToVoteON.ca or call 1-866-242-3025.
2026 Voters' Guide
The Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing prepares a Voters' Guide for each election. The Voters' Guide provides information to voters for the 2026 municipal council and school board elections. Find out who is eligible to vote, how to vote and how you can support candidates in Ontario municipal council and school board elections. The information also applies to any by-elections that may be held during the 2026-2030 council and school board term.
Voting in Multiple Municipal Elections
If you or your spouse own or rent property in a municipality other than your primary residence, you may be eligible to vote in more than one municipal election.
For more information on updating your voter registration, removing a deceased person from the Register, or joining the Register of Future Voters, visit the Elections Ontario website.
Students and Voter Registration
Students attending school away from home may be eligible to vote in multiple municipalities. If a student’s permanent residence and temporary student home are in different municipalities or a Territory Without Municipal Organization area, they can update or add their "home address" as their permanent family residence and list their student home as an additional property they, or their spouse, own or rent.
Updating Your School Support
As of January 1, 2024, the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) is no longer responsible for collecting voter information for municipal elections. However, MPAC is required to collect school support information.
Property owners in Ontario must designate support for a school system, even if they do not have children or if their children do not currently attend school. This designation appears on your Property Assessment Notice.
You can update your school support designation through MPAC’s Online School Support Tool. To learn more about school support, visit the MPAC website.
| What to bring with you to vote |
| Identification is required when you vote. You will need to show ID which contains your name and address. You may have to show two pieces of ID to accomplish this.
Please bring an original, or certified/notarized copy, of any of the following documents:
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| Who can vote? |
| In order to be eligible to vote, you must meet the Qualifications of Electors as listed in the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, s.17(2)
A person is entitled to be an elector at an election held in a local municipality if, on voting day, he or she,
All you need to do is show up to vote on Election Day at your designated poll with identification. Student voting Students are allowed to vote in both their home municipality and the municipality where they are attending school. |
| Who can make contributions to a candidate's campaign? |
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Any person who is a resident of Ontario can make a contribution to a candidate’s campaign or contribute to a third party advertiser to help fund their advertisements. You may contribute a maximum of $1,200 to a single candidate. You may also contribute a maximum of $1,200 to a third party advertiser. These amounts include the value of any goods or services donated to the campaign. You may not contribute more than $5,000 in total to candidates running for offices on the same council or school board, or to third party advertisers who are registered in the same municipality. If you want to contribute to a candidate or third party advertiser, you should make sure that you know what the contribution limits are and keep track of your donations to ensure that you don’t end up giving more than is permitted. Groups, such as neighbourhood associations and clubs, or professional associations, such as fire or police associations, are not eligible to make financial contributions to candidates or third party advertisers. Members may contribute individually. |
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 2:00pm.
| How do I file my nomination? |
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Nominations for these positions will open May 1, 2026 and close on August 21, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. You can schedule a nomination meeting with the City Clerk’s Office during this period. Please contact the Clerk's Office to secure your nomination meeting and receive detailed information regarding your nomination. 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:
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| Can I withdraw a nomination? |
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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 Trustees? |
Qualifications for Mayor & CouncillorTo run for mayor or city councillor in the City of Stratford, on the day the nomination paper is filed, a person must be:
Qualifications for School Board TrusteesTo 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:
Definition of ResidenceIn 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:
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| 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 |
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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:
Councillors This abbreviated description for the role of ward Councillor is based on the guide published by MAH:
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 |
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The Voters’ List will be available to candidates on September 1, 2026. |
| Candidate's Guide and Information Session |
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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: 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: 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 |
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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 9, 2022 is the first day election signs can be displayed in the City of Stratford for the 2022 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 24). For an additional resource to the Sign By-law please refer to the Election Sign Candidate Information Bulletin. |
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Sign Content |
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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:
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Sign Complaints |
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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 Municipal 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. |
Information for Third Party Advertisers
Compliance Audit Committee
| What is a Compliance Audit Committee? |
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The Compliance Audit Committee (CAC) is responsible for reviewing and considering compliance audit applications submitted by an elector who believes that a Candidate or Registered Third Party Advertiser has contravened a provision of the Municipal Elections Act (MEA) relating to election campaign finances. The CAC is also responsible for reviewing reports submitted by the City Clerk with respect to any contributor who appears to have contravened any of the contribution limits to a candidates’ election campaign or to a Registered Third Party Advertiser. The Committee has the authority to:
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2026 Compliance Audit Committee |
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Information to be provided. |
| Applying to be Member |
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Information to be provided. |
Key Dates and Other Resources
| Accessibility |
| Accessible Voting
The City of Stratford is committed to providing an accessible and barrier-free community and services. Prior to the 2022 Municipal Election, the 2022 Municipal Election Accessibility Plan was prepared and outlines the measures that the City of Stratford would be implementing in order to ensure that all voters and candidates have an equal opportunity to participate in the 2022 Municipal Election. The 2022 Accessibility Report was prepared following the election and outlines how barriers were identified, removed and prevented during the 2022 municipal and school board election. If you require the 2022 Municipal Election Accessibility Plan or the 2022 Accessibility Report in an alternate format, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at elections@stratford.ca. FeedbackYour feedback on accessible voting is essential to us in providing an election that is accessible to all electors. With your help, the City Clerk’s Office will continue to learn, develop and adjust our approaches in order to meet the needs of persons with disabilities. You can provide feedback to us:
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| Additional Resources |
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Legislation City By-laws and Policies |
| Past Election Results |
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2026 Candidate Financial Information
| Financial Statements |
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On or before 2:00 p.m. on March 31, 2023, 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 May 1, 2023. If a candidate files their financial statement within the 30-day grace period they will not receive a refund of their nomination fee. |
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Supplementary Financial Statements |
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Any candidate who may be in a deficit position at the end of the campaign period (January 3, 2023) 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 January 3, 2023 to extend their campaign until June 30, 2023, to continue raising money. Candidates who extend their campaign must file two financial statements:
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Auditor's Report |
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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. |
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Posted Financial Statements |
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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
Tina Doherty - Financial Statement - Form 4 |
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In Default - no financial statement filed |
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In accordance with Section 88.23 of the Municipal Elections Act, the following candidates are in effect of default: Councillor
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Clerk's Report on Financial Filing Compliance |
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In 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 Third Party Advertiser Financial Information
| Financial Statements |
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On or before 2:00 p.m. on March 31, 2023, a registered third party advertiser shall file with the Clerk with whom the registration was filed a financial statement and auditor's report (see below if required), each in the prescribed form, reflecting the third party advertiser's election campaign finances. 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 May 1, 2023. |
| Supplementary Financial Statements |
| Any registered third party advertiser who may be in a deficit position at the end of the campaign period (January 3, 2023) may choose to extend their campaign by filing a Notice of Extension of Campaign (Form 6) to the Clerk. The deadline for a third party advertiser to file a Form 6 is 4:30 p.m. on January 3, 2023 to extend their campaign until June 30, 2023, to continue raising money.
Third party advertisers who extend their campaign must file two financial statements:
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| Auditor's Report |
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If a registered third party advertiser 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. |
| Posted Financial Statements |
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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 third party advertiser's name below: Registered Third Party Advertiser:Michael Sullivan - Financial Statement - Form 8 |
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Clerk's Report on Financial Filing Compliance |
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In accordance with section 88.29(11) of the Municipal Elections Act, the Clerk shall make available to the public a report setting out all registered third parties in an election and indicate whether each complied with section 88.29: |
Latest Update: April 1, 2026