Candidate Information

Candidates are required to complete the following to file a nomination:

• Nomination Paper - Form 1
• Endorsement of Nomination - Form 2 (Requires 25 signatures)
• Declaration of Qualifications - Council Candidates (Form OS21A)
• Declaration of Qualifications - School Board Candidates (Form OS21B)
• Provide Proof of Identification
• Release of Campaign Information (Form OS11)

Booking an Appointment: To file your nomination papers, please book an appointment with the Clerk's Department by emailing elections@owensound.ca, or by phone at 519-370-7350.

Once candidates have filed their nominations, a list of registered candidates will be available on the Registered Candidates webpage.

Campaigning is not permitted until your nomination papers have been officially filed.

2026 Candidate Information Guide

Please Note:

This guide has been prepared for the purpose of supplying information which will be of assistance to persons intending to stand for elected office.

Candidates for School Board offices are encouraged to contact the office of the Director of Education of the appropriate School Board to obtain information on the duties and responsibilities of a trustee. Candidates for the position of representative on the French language section of a School Board should contact the Clerk of the municipality responsible for the election of persons to that office.

It is most important to note that the contents of this document are intended only as a guide to certain provisions of relevant legislation and do not purport to recite all applicable statutory references.

Prospective candidates must satisfy themselves through their own determination that they have complied with the election financing regulations and that they are in fact qualified, and not disqualified by law, to seek elected office. Candidates must make themselves aware of the penalty sections of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 (“MEA”) respecting campaign finances.

This document is subject to revisions. Please check the revision history to confirm you are working from the most recent version of this document.

All procedures in this guide are subject to change based on public health guidelines.

The following Council Orientation Dates have been scheduled for following the 2026 election, this schedule is subject to change.