April 29, 2026 Virtual Candidate Information Session
If you were unable to attend the 2026 Virtual Candidate Information Session held on April 29th, the presentation materials and a recording of the session can be found below:
Thinking of Running for Mayor or Deputy Mayor – Presentation by Michelle Dunne, Clerk, County of Dufferin
Candidate and Third Party Advertiser Information Presentation by Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
Recording of the Candidate Information Session
If you are considering running in the 2026 Municipal Election, we encourage you to review the materials and learn more about the role.
New Dates have been added to the Association of Municipalities (AMO) Pre-Election Workshops and the best part is, they’re free! Check it out here.
Notice is hereby given to the Municipal Electors of the Township of Melancthon
Nominations in the Township of Melancthon will be accepted for the following offices:
Council
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Mayor one (1) to be elected
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Deputy Mayor one (1) to be elected
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Councillor three (3) to be elected
School Board Trustees
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Upper Grand District School Board (English-Public School Board Trustee): One (1) trustee for the combined Towns/Townships of Amaranth, Grand Valley, Melancthon, Mono, Mulmur and Shelburne. Nominations to be received by the Town of Mono
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Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board (English-Separate (Catholic) School Board Trustee): One (1) trustee for the combined Town of Caledon and Dufferin County. Nominations to be received by the Town of Caledon
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Conseil Scolaire Catholique MonAvenir (French-Separate (Catholic) School Board Trustee): One (1) trustee for Electoral Sector 5. Nominations to be received by the City of Brampton
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Conseil Scolaire Viamonde (French-Public School Board Trustee): One (1) trustee for Electoral Sector 5. Nominations to be received by the City of Barrie
Nomination Period
Beginning Friday, May 1, 2026 at 8:30 a.m. and ending at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, August 21, 2026 candidates may file a nomination form in person during regular business hour with the Clerk. It is strongly recommended that you call the Township Office at 519-925-5525 to book an appointment to file your Nomination paper. Nominations must be completed on the prescribed nomination form and accompanied by the nomination filing fee of:
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Mayor: $200.00
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Deputy Mayor: $100.00
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Councillor: $100.00
The filing fee is payable by cash, certified cheque or debit.
Filing a Nomination
A nomination form must be signed by the candidate and filed in person or by an agent with the Clerk. It is strongly recommended that you call the Township Office at 519-925-5525 to book an appointment to file your Nomination paper. When filing, the candidate must provide a piece of Government photo identification, which includes their name and qualifying address. If the nomination is filed by an agent, it must be accompanied by a letter signed by the candidate and commissioned or notarized by a person authorized under the Commissioners for Taking Affidavits or Notaries Act. In addition to this letter, an agent must also provide a commissioned copy of the candidate’s identification to be retained on file.
On August 21, 2026 (Nomination Day), nominations can only be filed between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
Nominations will be certified by 4:00 p.m. on Monday, August 24, 2026.
Endorsement signatures are not required to file a nomination in the Township of Melancthon as the Township has under 4,000 eligible electors.
In the event there are an insufficient number of certified candidates to fill all positions available, nominations will be reopened for the vacant positions only on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. and such additional nominations, if required, may be filed with the Clerk.
Voting Period
Electors are hereby given notice that if a greater number of candidates are certified than required to fill the said offices, voting will take place between Friday, October 16, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. and Monday, October 26, 2026, at 8:00 p.m.
Denise B. Holmes, Clerk & Returning Officer
MUNICIPAL ELECTION RESOURCES
The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing publishes candidates, voters and third-party advertiser guides to provide information about municipal and school board elections. The guides are below:
2026 Candidates’ Guide
2026 Voters’ Guide
2026 Third-Party Advertisers’ Guide
Relevant Legislation
Municipal Elections Act, 1990, S.O. c.32 Sched.
Municipal Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c. 25
Education Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. E.2
For further information, please contact:
Denise B. Holmes, CAO/Clerk & Returning Officer, 519-925-5525, ext. 101 or Kaitlin Dinnick, Deputy Clerk & Deputy Returning Officer, 519-925-5525, ext. 103
2026 Candidate Information Sessions
Considering Running for Council? Get the information you need to make informed decisions about running for municipal office.
📢 Save the Dates! – Joint Candidate Information Sessions 🗳️
Thinking about running in the upcoming municipal election? Join us to learn more about the roles and responsibilities of municipal office and the nomination process.
📍 April 29, 2026 – 6:30 p.m.
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing Session – Virtual (Zoom)
📍 May 6, 2026 – 7:00 p.m.
Monora Park Pavilion, 500 Monora Park Drive, Mono, Ontario
📍 May 7, 2026 – 10:00 a.m.
Centre Dufferin Recreation Complex (Shelburne Arena), 200 Fiddle Park Lane, Shelburne, Ontario
✅ Learn about becoming a candidate
✅ Ask questions
✅ Get prepared for the municipal election process
More details to follow — mark your calendars! 📅
Are you thinking of running for Council?
Join this AMO Workshop to gain useful insights and strategies focused on underrepresented communities
For more event info, please click on the below link:
Running for Municipal Office – Everything You Need to Know as an Underrepresented Candidate | AMO
AMO also has many resources available to support the run up to the 2026 municipal elections. AMO’s Lead Where You Live resource is a comprehensive guide for anyone considering running in the 2026 municipal election. This resource walks you through what municipal councils do, what it means to serve your community, and the steps involved in launching a successful campaign. Whether you’re exploring the idea or preparing to file your nomination, this guide provides practical information, tools, and insights to support your journey.
Municipal Election 2026 🗳️
The municipal election will take place on October 26, 2026.
Residents will once again be able to vote online or over the phone.
Are you registered to vote? It’s easy!
Make sure your information is up to date so you’re ready to participate.
👉 Check your registration: Voter Registration
