Candidate Information

Candidate Information & Resources

Nominations

Nominations may be filed in person or by an agent with the Township’s Clerk beginning on Friday, May 1, 2026 until Thursday, August 20, 2026, during regular business hours (Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) and on Nomination Day, Friday, August 21, 2026 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The nomination must be completed in full and filed in person by the candidate or an agent of the candidate and includes:

  1. Identification for proof of identity and qualifying address (eg: Driver's Licence or Passport with Insurance Policy, Utility Bill, lease or rental agreement etc.)  List of acceptable identification can be found on the Elections Ontario website.
  2. A completed copy of the Nomination Paper (Form 1)
  3. A declaration of qualification (Form 2) from each of the at least 25 Minden Hills electors endorsing the nomination (for Mayor and Council candidates only)
  4. The filing fee

If filing by agent, the agent must present a commissioned Agent Appointment Form.

File Your Nomination

To ensure timely service, candidates and agents filing nominations on behalf of candidates are encouraged to book an appointment with the Clerk’s Department T: 705-286-1260 ext. 585 or Email to request an appointment.

The prescribed Nomination Paper - Form 1 and Endorsement of Nomination - Form 2 provided by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing are available below. 

Note: If you're experiencing challenges opening the forms, download the form(s) and then locate the file location where it was saved. Next, right click on the PDF file and select "Open with", and then select Adobe Acrobat.

Nomination Paper - Form 1 

Endorsement of Nomination - Form 2

A person may be nominated for an office by filing a nomination in the Clerk’s Office, in person or by an agent.

25 Endorsement Signatures Required: The nomination must be endorsed and signed by at least 25 persons:

  • A person may endorse more than one nomination;
  • A person endorsing a nomination must be eligible to vote in an election for an office within Minden Hills, if a regular election was held on the day that the person endorses the nomination;
  • Endorsements must be completed and signed on the Form 2 (forms coming soon)
  • Collecting more than 25 endorsements is good practice in the event that one endorsement is completed incorrectly;
  • School Board Trustee candidates do not require endorsements.
  • Once the 2026 Form 2 becomes available, candidates may collect signatures early, but signatures must be on the prescribed form for 2026. 

For Mayor: $200
For Councillor: $100

The filing fee must be paid when you file your nomination paper and the payment must be:

  • Cash
  • Certified cheque or money order payable to “Township of Minden Hills”
  • Debit
  • Note - No Personal Cheque will be accepted

The filing fee is not considered a campaign expense, but rather, a personal expense, and will be returned to you upon successful filing of your campaign Financial Statement. You do not have to account for this fee on your Financial Statement. 

Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing - Municipal Election Updated Forms:

  1. Nomination Paper - Form 1
  2. Endorsement of Nomination - Form 2
  3. Appointment for Voting Proxy - Form 3
  4. Financial Statement - Auditor's Report Candidate - Form 4
  5. Financial Statement - Subsequent Expenses - Form 5
  6. Notice of Extension of Campaign Period - Form 6
  7. Notice of Registration - Third Party - Form 7
  8. Financial Statement - Auditor's Report Third Party - Form 8
  9. Declaration of Identity - Form 9

The Municipal Elections Act states that all forms and correspondence submitted by the candidate to the Township Clerk are deemed to be public documents and can be viewed, at the Township's Clerk's Office, during regular business hours.

A nomination package of forms for all prospective candidates will be available when the 2026 Provincial Prescribed forms are available in April. No appointment is required to pick up this package of forms.

2026 Candidates' Guide - Ontario Municipal Council and School Board Elections

The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing's 2026 Candidates' Guide provides information about how to run as a candidate in Municipal Council and School Board elections. 

Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Guide to Running for Municipal Council

AMO’s Lead Where You Live guide provides information to assist candidates when preparing for the municipal election.

Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Leading With Respect Handguides

AMO's Leading With Respect Handguides provides practical resources, tips, and tools that elected officials and senior staff can adapt and use to foster civility and respect in municipal governance.

AMO also has additional resources and workshops available. Visit AMO Election Resources, there is also details regarding the workshops below. 

Municipal Elections Act, 1996, S.O. 1996  

Visit e-Laws Ontario to review and/or download the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, c.32, Sched.

Offices for Election

Office

Number to be Elected
Mayor One (1) to be elected by all electors in the Township of Minden Hills
Deputy Mayor One (1) to be elected by all electors in the Township of Minden Hills
Councillor at Large One (1) to be elected by all electors in the Township of Minden Hills
Ward One Councillor Two (2) to be elected by all electors in Ward One in the Township of Minden Hills
Ward Two Councillor One (1) to be elected by all electors in Ward Two in the Township of Minden Hills
Ward Three Councillor One (1) to be elected by all electors in Ward Three in the Township of Minden Hills

School Board Trustees

School boards operate the Province of Ontario public schools. School board trustees are responsible for the approval of the board's annual budget, deliberating and establishing policies as authorized by the Education Act, monitoring the implementation of Ministry of Education and board policies and programs, and consulting, representing and advocating for constituents in their ward. 

The Township of Minden Hills is part of the Trillium Lakelands District School Board. The County of Haliburton has one trustee on the board.

The Municipality of Dysart et al is responsible for the School Board Trustee Election in the County of Haliburton. Nominations for School Board Trustee are filed with Dysart et al.

For more information visit the website:  Municipality of Dysart et al

Eligibility to Run

You can run to be a trustee on the Trillium Lakelands District School Board if you are: 

  • A Canadian citizen; and
  • At least 18 years old; and
  • A resident of the jurisdiction served by the Trillium Lakelands District School Board; and
  • Not prohibited from voting under any law

Please note: You must be eligible to hold office on the day you file your nomination. For example, a person who is 17 years old but will turn 18 before nomination day must wait until they have turned 18 to file their nomination. 

Who is not eligible?

  • Any person who is not eligible to vote in the board election
  • School board employees who have not taken a paid leave of absence and resigned
  • A clerk, deputy clerk, treasurer or deputy treasurer of a municipality within the jurisdiction of the board who has not taken a paid leave of absence and resigned
  • A judge on any court
  • An MP, MPP or Senator
  • An inmate serving a sentence in a penal or correctional institution.

Candidate Resources

Resources Available for Candidates

The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) has election resources to support candidates running for Municipal Office AMO Election Resources

Workshops

AMO’s Healthy Democracy Leaders Series: Stronger Leaders, Stronger Communities

Join AMO’s new online workshop series for leaders seeking re-election or first-time aspiring candidates—offered at no charge for participants. New June 2026 dates have been added

  • Session 1 - June 16 (6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m.)
  • Session 2 - June 23 (6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m.)
  • Session 3 - June 25 (6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m.)
  • Session 4 - June 30 (6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m.)

AMO's Workshop for Underrepresented Candidates

Date: June 9 (6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m.)

Led by former municipal leaders, this session provide practical guidance and insider perspectives for those from underrepresented communities, while remaining open to all participants.

The workshop explore what it takes to become a candidate, key strategies for running a successful campaign, how to develop effective messaging, and ways to use community engagement to build visibility and support.

For full details, click here.

AMO's Youth Information Sessions

Date: June 2 (6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m.)

Facilitated by currently elected officials, these sessions are designed to empower young people considering public office.

Participants will gain insight into what it’s like to run for office as a young candidate, learn how to build a strong campaign, understand candidate requirements, and explore effective approaches to voter engagement.

For full details, click here.

AMO's Urban Indigenous Peoples’ Information Sessions

Facilitated by Indigenous leaders with firsthand electoral experience, these sessions will provide insights and strategies to build your understanding and confidence around how to become a candidate and run a campaign.

Gain insight into what it’s like to run for municipal office as an urban Indigenous leader, explore key strategies for building a strong campaign, understand the requirements to become a candidate, and learn approaches to lead with cultural integrity and community connection.

For full details, click here.

How to Register for AMO's Workshops

Note that all AMO's programs are offered at no charge. Registration is required for each workshop or session.

For more information or to register, please visit the AMO Education website or contact us by email. 

 

Contact Us

Township of Minden Hills
7 Milne Street
BOX 359
Minden ON K0M 2K0
Phone 705-286-1260
Email

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