Municipal Election

Municipal Elections in Ontario are held every four years on the fourth Monday of October. The next municipal election will be held Monday, October 26th, 2026. Under the Municipal Elections Act, the four-year term of office for the current council and school board trustees began November 14th, 2022 and ends November 14th, 2026.

The next municipal election will be held October 26, 2026. Bluewater will vote using internet and telephone.

For information regarding Municipality of Bluewater's current council, please see our council page.

Official list of candidates, notice of election, and acclaimed offices

The 2026 municipal election nomination period closed August 21, 2026 at 2 p.m. As of 4 p.m. Monday, August 24, 2026, the Clerk of the Municipality of Bluewater must certify nominations and post the official list of certified candidates, as well as issue the declaration of acclaimed candidates. Where more than one candidate has filed a nomination and an election for the position is to be held, a notice of election is issued.

Please see the Official List of Certified Candidates and Acclaimed Offices page as well as the notice of election for a list of candidates.

Who can vote?

If you are a resident, owner or tenant of property in Ontario, a Canadian citizen and 18 years of age or older on the day of the Election, you can vote in Ontario’s municipal and school board elections.

Your name must be on the voters list for the Municipality of Bluewater as a resident or non-resident elector to vote in the 2026 municipal election.

Check if you are on the list, update your information, or register to vote by contacting the Corporate Services team at 519-236-4351 after September 1st.

Voter information letters with voting access information will be mailed to registered voters in September.

Anyone wishing to check if they are on the voters list, update their information or register to vote may contact the Corporate Services Department after September 1, 2026, by visiting the municipal office in person or by phone.

Please note:

Only authorized election staff may answer voter registration questions and register voters.
Staff cannot release information about another voter to another individual, including spouses or other residents at the same address.
Calling ahead is recommended to ensure staff are available to assist you if visiting in person.
Staff cannot confirm elector status by email or fax.

Eligible voters wishing to register or update their information will be required to submit the appropriate forms to election staff at the municipal office and show approved identification.

Election staff are available Monday to Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding statutory holidays.

The following documents are accepted as proof of identity and residence per O.Reg. 304/13:

An Ontario driver’s licence
An Ontario Health Card (photo card)
An Ontario Photo Card
An Ontario motor vehicle permit (vehicle portion)
A cancelled personalized cheque
A mortgage statement, lease or rental agreement relating to property in Ontario
An insurance policy or insurance statement
A loan agreement or other financial agreement with a financial institution
A document issued or certified by a court in Ontario
Any other document from the government of Canada, Ontario or a municipality in Ontario or from an agency of such a government
Any document from a Band Council in Ontario established under the Indian Act (Canada)
An income tax assessment notice
A Child Tax Benefit Statement
A Statement of Employment Insurance Benefits Paid T4E
A Statement of Old Age Security T4A (OAS)
A Statement of Canada Pension Plan Benefits T4A (P)
A Canada Pension Plan Statement of Contributions
A Statement of Direct Deposit for Ontario Works
A Statement of Direct Deposit for Ontario Disability Support Program
A Workplace Safety and Insurance Board Statement of Benefits T5007
A property tax assessment
A credit card statement, bank account statement, or RRSP, RRIF, RHOSP or T5 statement
A CNIB Card or a card from another registered charitable organization that provides services to persons with disabilities
A hospital card or record
A document showing campus residence, issued by the office or officials responsible for student residence at a post-secondary institution
A document showing residence at a long-term care home under the Fixing Long-Term Care Act, 2021, issued by the Administrator for the home
A utility bill for hydro, water, gas, telephone or cable TV or a bill from a public utilities commission
A cheque stub, T4 statement or pay receipt issued by an employer
A transcript or report card from a post-secondary school

The help Centre is available from September 1 until October 26, 2026.

Authorized election staff can help eligible voters check and update their information or register to vote from September 1 until the close of voting on Monday, October 26, 2026 (8 p.m.) at the municipal office, 14 Mill Ave, Zurich.

Regular Help Centre hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding statutory holidays.

Extended hours will be offered Wednesday, October 21 from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Election Day, October 26, from 8:30 a.m. until 8 p.m.

Help Centre staff can help with:

Checking if someone is registered to vote and registering new voters.
Updating or correcting voter information.
Answering voter related questions.
Issuing/re-issuing lost or missing voter information letters.
Removing deceased voters from the voters list.
Assisting you to cast your ballot using the internet or telephone (October 13 onward).
Providing a voting kiosk where voters can use our equipment (computer) to cast their ballot (October 13 onward).

Please see the registering to vote, checking and updating information section before visiting the Help Centre.

Important: The doors of the Help Centre will be locked at 8 p.m. on October 26, 2026. Anyone remaining in the Help Centre at 8 p.m. will be permitted to cast their ballot.

Anyone who has accessed the voting system through their own device prior to 8:00 p.m. on October 26, 2026 will be permitted to complete the voting process; however, they must submit their ballot by 8:05 p.m.
p.m.

Voting opens October 13, 2026 at 9 a.m. and closes October 26, 2026 at 8 p.m.

Voter information letters containing unique log in information will be mailed via Canada Post by the end of September. If you do not receive a voter information letter by October 9th, please call the Corporate Services department at 519-236-4351 or visit the municipal office in person.

Voters may only vote once. It is illegal to vote more than once or by using someone else’s voter registration information.

If you require assistance, please contact Help Centre staff.

Vote by Phone

Dial the number indicated on your voter information letter.
Follow the audio prompts to log in using the unique identifying information in your voter information letter.
Listen to the options for voting provided and follow the prompts.

Internet voting

Navigate to the website indicated in your voter information letter.
Log in using the unique identifying information in your voter information letter.
Review the options and select the person you are voting for.
Submit your vote.

Using the kiosk at the municipal office

Come to the municipal office located at 14 Mill Ave during regular operating hours or during our extended hours (See help centre section for more information).
Bring your voter information letter and approved ID.
Notify the front desk that you need help voting.
Help Centre staff will provide you with equipment to cast your vote in our office. If you need help logging on or navigating the system, election staff can help with that too!

Important: The doors of the Help Centre will be locked at 8 p.m. on October 26, 2026. Anyone remaining in the help centre at 8 p.m. will be permitted to cast their ballot.

Anyone who has accessed the voting system through their own device prior to 8 p.m. on October 26, 2026 will be permitted to complete the voting process; however, they must submit their ballot by 8:05 p.m.

If you own or rent multiple properties located in different wards within the municipality, you are entitled to cast only one vote in the municipal election:

Resident electors (live in Bluewater) must vote in the ward where they reside. If you also own or rent property in another ward, or if your spouse owns or rents property in another ward, you are not eligible to vote in that other ward.
Non-resident electors (own or rent property but do not live in Bluewater) who own or rent properties in more than one ward within the Municipality must choose one ward in which to vote. You must ensure that you are included on the voters' list for the qualifying property address in the ward you have selected.

Neither you nor your spouse qualify as a non-resident elector if you do not personally own or rent the property in the municipality. For example, if the property is owned by your business or your cottage is owned by a trust, you would not qualify as a non-resident elector.

The 2026 Voters' Guide published by the Province of Ontario is a comprehensive guide for voters in Ontario.

MPAC (Municipal Property Assessment Corporation) collects school support designation information for assessment (taxes) and election purposes. Whether you own or rent your home, your property is linked to a school board. School support automatically defaults to English Public unless you request a change with MPAC. Updating school support for election purposes does not automatically change your designation for tax purposes.

The deadline to change school support and have it reflected on the Voters' List was June 1. Voters can still update school support designation after June 1 through MPAC's online portal. However, the change will not appear on the Preliminary List of Electors and you will still need to contact the municipal election team once you receive your confirmation of change from MPAC.

Who can run for Council?

To run for Bluewater Council, you must be eligible to vote in Bluewater.

On the day you file your nomination, you must be:

A Canadian citizen and at least 18 years of age
A resident of the municipality, or the owner or tenant of land in the Municipality, or the spouse of such a person
Not prohibited from voting
Not disqualified from holding office (i.e. no financial violations from previous elections, not prohibited by any legislation)
Not disqualified under the provisions as outlined in the Municipal Elections Act.

The nomination period opens May 1st and closes August 21st, 2026 at 2 p.m.

Download and print the nomination package, gather the required signatures, and sign the required forms. Nominations are accepted from May 1st until August 21st at 2 p.m.

Packages are also available from the Municipal Office, 14 Mill Ave, Zurich, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

If you do not want to print the entire package, you can print individual forms that require signatures.

When you are ready to file your nomination, make an appointment with the Clerk. Please come to the office prepared to pay the filing fee with cash, cheque or debit (Mayor-$200, all other positions-$100).

The 2026 Candidates' Guide-Ontario published by the Government of Ontario is a comprehensive document explaining everything required to run for municipal council.

Please review this document if you are thinking about running for municipal council.

These resources provide valuable information for individuals thinking about running for municipal council.

Third-party advertising

Third-party advertising is a paid message placed in any medium (broadcast, print or electronic) by an individual (other than the nominated candidate), corporation, or trade union, that supports or opposes a candidate for council, mayor or a school board.

Third-party advertisers must register with the Clerk to advertise during a municipal election. Third-party advertisers may register until the close of business on Friday, October 23, 2026.

Anyone considering registering as a third-party advertiser is encouraged to read the Ontario Third-Party Advertising Guide. Questions about third-party advertising can be directed to the Clerk.

The restricted advertising period in which third parties must be registered to advertise is May 1, 2026 until the close of voting on October 26, 2026.

Who can register as a third-party advertiser?

Individuals, corporations and trade unions in Ontario can register as third-party advertisers and can also make contributions to third-party advertisers. Third-party advertising must be done independently of candidates.

Broadcasters or publishers who wish to conduct third-party advertising must register as a third-party advertiser and follow the requirements of the Municipal Elections Act.

There is no restriction against family members or campaign staff of candidates registering to be third-party advertisers. Third-party advertising must not be done under the direction of a candidate.

Who cannot register as a third-party advertiser?

Candidates cannot register as a third-party advertiser and cannot provide direction to a third-party advertiser.

Groups, associations or businesses that are not corporations are not eligible to register and may not spend money on third-party advertising in municipal elections.

Federal and provincial political parties, constituency associations, registered candidates and leadership contestants as well as federal and provincial governments, municipalities, or local board cannot register.

What is not considered third-party advertising

Activities that do not involve incurring expenses (i.e. discussions or expressing an opinion about a candidate) are not considered third-party advertising. Other examples include:

Speaking with friends and neighbours
Posting on social media
Sending an email to a group or mailing list
Advertising about an issue that is not about a candidate or a question on a ballot

A comprehensive third-party advertising guide is available from the Province of Ontario.

Forms are available for download from our website. Packages may also be picked up in-person at the municipal office, 14 Mill Ave, Zurich, Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

To register, contact the Clerk to set up an appointment to submit your package. Third-party advertisers may register up until the close of business on Friday, October 23, 2026.

Key dates

The following list identifies key dates in the 2026 municipal election cycle.

Now until August 12—Register to vote or update voter information online through Elections Ontario
May 1—Candidate nomination period opens
June 1—Deadline to update school support designation with MPAC.
August—Preliminary List of Electors delivered to municipalities by Elections Ontario
August 21—Nomination Day—Deadline to file candidate nomination papers or to withdraw nominations
August 24—Deadline for Clerk to certify nominations and deadline for Clerk to declare any candidates elected by acclamation
September—Voter information letters mailed to registered voters
September 1 to October 26—Revisions to voters list can be made by contacting the municipal office.
October 13—Advance voting opens (internet and phone)
October 23—Deadline to register as a third-party advertiser (close of business)
October 26—Election Day
November 15—Beginning of 2026–2030 term of office

Key dates will be updated throughout the election cycle as more dates are finalized.

Updates during the 2026 municipal election cycle will be shared by the Municipality through our website, social media platforms, and newsletters.

Questions about the municipal election can be directed to the Corporate Services department.

Municipality of Bluewater
14 Mill Avenue
ZURICH, ON
N0M 2T0
Phone: 519-236-4351
or 1-877-236-4351
Fax: 519-236-4329
Send an Email