Candidate Information & Resources

Notice of Nomination for Office

The Council for the Township of Alnwick/Haldimand is comprised of the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and three (3) Councillors. The Mayor also serves as Councillor on the upper-tier Council for the County of Northumberland.

There is one (1) regular Township of Alnwick/Haldimand Council, one (1) Committee of the Whole, and one (1) Municipal Planning / Regular Council meeting per month, with the exception of August. Special meetings are called as required. Council members are also required to take part in Advisory Committee meetings and sit on external Local Boards, such as the Alnwick Haldimand Public Library Board and Conservation Authorities.

• Candidate Information Session:

  • April 16, 2026 at 6:30pm, Baltimore Recreation Centre (23 Community Centre Rd, Baltimore). Co-hosted by Alnwick/Haldimand, Hamilton, and Cramahe Townships

  • Learn about Roles of Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillor, Responsibilities and Time Commitments, Tips for First Time Candidates, Key Nomination and Election Dates

  • Meet the Township’s Election Team and learn about Township Operations

• Candidate and Third Party Advertising Information Session: Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH)

  • View the information session here.

• The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) is hosting free online workshops to support individuals who are interested in running for municipal office in the 2026 Municipal Election.

  These sessions are designed to help participants understand what it means to run for council, build confidence, and prepare for the nomination and campaign process.

  • Stream 1: For elected officials at the municipal level across Ontario who are considering re-election in 2026 and preparing for their path forward.

  • Stream 2: For community members considering a run for municipal office in 2026 – first time candidates who want to build confidence before launching a campaign.

    • More information and register here.

  • Youth Information Session: A dedicated session for youth considering a run for municipal office, focusing on eligibility, roles and responsibilities of council, and how young people can get involved in local government. This session is intended to help youth understand the legislative framework and pathways to candidacy under Ontario’s municipal election rules.

    • Register for the Youth Information Session here.

A candidate for municipal office must, upon nomination, be a qualified municipal elector and fulfill all of the following requirements:

• Reside in the Township of Alnwick/Haldimand, or be the owner or tenant of land in the Township of Alnwick/Haldimand, or the spouse of such owner or tenant; and

• Be a Canadian citizen; and

• Be at least 18 years old; and

• Not be legally prohibited from voting; and

• Not be disqualified by any legislation from holding municipal office.

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 municipality

• An employee of the municipality who has not taken an unpaid leave and resigned

• A judge on any court

• An MP, MPP or Senator

• An inmate serving a sentence in a penal or correctional institution

A potential candidate must file nomination papers prior to receiving any campaign contributions and/or expending any funds on a campaign.

The nomination period for the 2026 municipal elections runs from May 1, 2026 until August 21, 2026.

Nomination forms will be available beginning May 1, 2026 from the Office of the Clerk.

Filing a Nomination

Starting May 1, 2026, Eligible Electors of the Township of Alnwick/Haldimand may file their Nomination Papers for the 2026 Municipal Election with the Municipal Clerk by booking a Nomination meeting.

You may file your nomination paper by appointment only.

Meetings are being held at the Municipal Clerk’s Office located at 10836 County Road 2 in Grafton during regular business hours, beginning on Friday, May 1 at 9:00 a.m. until Friday, August 21 at 2 p.m. Appointments are subject to availability.

Nomination Filing Meetings can be booked by emailor by calling the Clerks Office at 905-349-2822 ext 32.

Once a Candidate has booked a meeting with the Municipal Clerk or designate to file their nomination, and the nomination package is received by the Clerk or designate, they will receive a Nomination Package.

The package includes all information in order to proceed with a nomination for the 2026 Municipal Election.

Schedule a time to meet with the Municipal Clerk.

Nomination Requirements

When filing a nomination, candidates must bring the required documentation:

• Proof of identity

• Completed Nomination Paper (Form 1)

• Filing Fee (refunded upon successful filing of campaign financial statements)

  • $200 – Mayor

  • $100– Deputy Mayor

  • $100 – Councillor

• Endorsements (Form 2)

  • Candidates for Mayor, Deputy Mayor or Councillor must also submit 25 endorsements using the prescribed Declaration of Qualification (Form 2).

  • Endorsers must be eligible to vote in the Township of Alnwick/Haldimand on the day they sign.

  • Each eligible voter may endorse more than one candidate

  • All endorsements must be completed and signed on Form 2

Additional Filing Information

‍Candidates may withdraw their nomination no later than 2:00 p.m. on Nomination Day. A briefing for candidates regarding election procedures will be scheduled following the nomination period.

‍Candidates who obtain nomination papers from the Municipal Clerk’s Office will be advised accordingly of any further legislative changes passed by the Legislature that affect election procedures.

Candidates are encouraged to regularly visit the Township of Alnwick/Haldimand’s Election webpage (www.ahtwp.ca/elections) for updated election information.

If you have any questions about filing your nomination papers, please do not hesitate to contact the Office of the Municipal Clerk.

Those wishing to run for English Language Public and Separate School Board Trustee must file their nomination with the Town of Cobourg Municipal Clerk, located at 55 King Street West, Cobourg.

For more information on the Nomination Process for English Language School Board Trustees, visit: www.cobourgvotes.ca

Those wishing to run for French Language Public and Separate School Board Trustees must file their nomination with the City of Oshawa Municipal Office, located at 50 Centre Street South, Oshawa.

For more information on the Nomination Process for French Language School Board Trustees, visit: www.oshawa.ca/city-hall/elections/.

If you're running for school board trustee, you don't need to provide endorsement.

• Two (2) Trustees to be elected for Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board (English Language Public School Board). 

• One (1) Trustees to be elected for Peterborough, Victoria, Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board (English Language Separate School Board). Nominations shall be filed in the Town of Cobourg Municipal Clerk’s Office.

• One (1) Trustee to be elected for Conseil Scolaire Viamonde (French Language Public School Board). Nominations shall be filed in the City of Oshawa Municipal Clerk’s Office, 50 Centre Street South, Oshawa

• One (1) Trustee to be elected for Conseil Scolaire Catholique MonAvenir (French Language Separate School Board). Nominations shall be filed in the City of Oshawa Municipal Clerk’s Office, 50 Centre Street South, Oshawa

• Nomination Period Opens: Friday, May 1, 2026

  • A campaign period begins when a candidate files their nomination papers.

• Nomination Period Closes: Thursday, August 21, 2026.

  • Paperwork must be filed by 2:00 p.m.

• Candidates are Certified on Monday, August 24, 2026

  • All candidates will be certified by the Clerk by 4:00 p.m. and before any acclamations are announced

• Election Day: Monday, October 26, 2026

• 2026-2030 Term of Office starts: Sunday, November 15, 2026

  • Inaugural meeting of Council: Tuesday, November 24, 2026 at 9:30 a.m.

• Nomination Paper (Form 1)

• Endorsement of Nomination (Form 2)

• Financial Statement - Auditor’s Report Candidate (Form 4)

• Declarations of Qualifications for Municipal Candidates

• Declarations of Qualifications for School Board Trustees