Election Day is October 22, 2018
Municipal Elections take place every four years in accordance with the Municipal Elections Act. The next regular Municipal Election to elect a Mayor, Councillors and School Board Trustees will be October 22, 2018. The next term of Council begins on December 1, 2018 and ends in November 2022.
Municipal Election Signs
Please be aware that charges can be laid under the Criminal Code for municipal election signs.
Mischief under $5,000, if a sign is defaced, manipulated or damaged
Thief under $5,000, if someone takes the sign from someone's property.
All candidates are treated equally.
Please respect the election process and have respect for all candidates!
Information for Voters
A person is entitled to be an elector at an election held in the Township, if on Voting Day the person is:
- A Canadian citizen;
- At least 18 years old;
- Residing in the Township or an owner or tenant of land in the Township, or the spouse of such owner or tenant; and
- Is not otherwise prohibited from voting
If you need to correct information or be added to the Voter's List please fill out the Application to Amend Voter's List Form and return this form to the Municipal Office at 33663 Fingal Line during business hours. Ensure you bring Identification that provides proof of residency and age. (See List of acceptable Identification)
Your voter kit will arrive by mail.
Instruction Video for Vote by Mail
Please check our website and Facebook page in an event a postal strike for updates.
Candidate Nominations (Updated as of 2:05 7/27/2018)
Click here for the full list of certified candidates
Mayor Nomination List
Name: Ian Chard
Qualifying Address: 7957 Argyle Street
Mailing Address: 7957 Argyle Street, Fingal ON, N0L 1K0
Name: Grant Jones
Qualifying Address: 35893 Scotch Line, RR #1
Mailing Address: 35893 Scotch Line, RR. #1, Port Stanley, ON, N5L 1J1
Deputy Mayor Nomination List
Name: Robert Monteith
Qualifying Address: 35351 Fifth Line
Mailing Address: 35351 Fifth Line, Shedden ON, N0L 2E0
Name: Gayle Bogart
Qualifying Address: 35469 Third Line
Mailing Address: 35469 Third Line, Shedden ON, N0L 2G0
Councillor Nomination List
Name: Peter North
Mailing Address: 4485 Thomas Road
Qualifying Address: 4485 Thomas Road, Port Stanley, ON, N5L 1J2
Name: Joseph McKinnon
Qualifying Address: 37111 Talbot Line
Mailing Address: 37111 Talbot Line, Shedden, ON, N0L 2E0
Name: Justin Pennings
Qualifying Address: 36114 Fingal Line
Mailing Address: 36114 Fingal Line, St. Thomas, ON, N5P 3S5
Name: Ryan Roke
Qualifying Address:7978 Union Road
Mailing Address: 7978 Union Road, Fingal, ON, N0L 1K0
Name: Robert Braam
Qualifying Address: 12343 William Street, Southwold
Mailing Address: 12343 William Street, Southwold, ON, N0L 2G0
Name: Sarah Emons
Qualifying Address: 35507 Fourth Line
Mailing Address: 35507 Fourth Line, Southwold, ON, N0L 2G0
Information for Candidates
The nomination period for the next Municipal Election opens on May 1, 2018 and closes on Nomination Day, July 27, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. A Candidate for Municipal Office must, upon nomination, be a qualified municipal elector in the Township and meet all requirements.
Campaign periods begin when candidates file their nomination papers and end on October 22, 2018. Candidates may not accept donations, spend money or advertise until they file their nomination.
If you are interested in running for office, you are encouraged to view the Ministry’s Candidates' Guide available at the municipal office.
Full details available in the 2018 Candidates Package and Election Campaign Forms. Questions may be directed to Lisa Higgs, CAO/Clerk at 519-769-2010 or cao@southwold.ca
2018 Municipal Elections Candidate Training Opportunities
For AMO “So You Want To Run For Council” Training register for online training at: www.MunicipalEducation.ca Cost - $66.37+HST ($75)
2018 Election Key Dates
May 1st Nomination Period Starts
July 27th until 2:00 p.m. Nomination Day (last day to be nominated)
End of September Voter Kits Mailed
October 22nd Election Day
December 1st Council Term Begins
Joint Compliance Audit Committee
The following Q&As will help you answer any question you may receive from members of your community.
What is voterlookup.ca?
voterlookup.ca is an online service available to Ontario residents. Using voterlookup.ca, electors can confirm and update their electoral information for the purposes of the Preliminary List of Electors for the upcoming municipal and school board elections.
Who administers voterlookup.ca?
The Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) administers voterlookup.ca. MPAC is a not-for-profit corporation mandated by the Government of Ontario to conduct property assessments for tax purposes on behalf of municipalities and is legislated to provide municipalities with a Preliminary List of Electors in a municipal election year. This list is used by Municipal Clerks to produce the final Voters’ List used for the election.
What is enumeration?
Enumeration is another word for compiling a list. Information confirmed and collected through voterlookup.ca will be used to compile information for the purposes of preparing the Preliminary List of Electors that MPAC is legislated to provide in support of municipal and school board elections.
Why should I use voterlookup.ca?
The information confirmed and collected through voterlookup.ca will be used to compile the Preliminary List of Electors that MPAC is legislated to provide in support of municipal and school board elections. The Municipal Clerk uses this list to create the final Voters’ List. Confirming your elector eligibility now will make for an easier process when it is time to vote.
Can I still vote in the upcoming municipal election if I don’t register at voterlookup.ca?
Yes, although you will have to bring required proof as you may be asked to provide this. Contact your Municipal Clerk’s office for more information on what is required.
Is voterlookup.ca available in French?
All the features of voterlookup.ca are available in French.
What information do I need to provide to register at voterlookup.ca?
You will need to provide the name of your city/town/village, full name, date of birth and either your property address and; or assessment roll number (found on your tax bill or Property Assessment Notice).
What do I do if voterlookup.ca tells me my information is not registered in the system or I have concerns/disagree with the information provided?
Double-check the information you have entered to ensure it is correct. If you have questions/concerns, or prefer to speak with someone by phone, call 1-866-296-6722.
How can I remove a name if a tenant or boarder has moved from my home?
To remove a tenant or boarder from your property, please contact 1-866-296-6722.
How can I remove an owner name as the result of a death?
To remove a name in MPAC’s Names Database for election purposes a death certificate must be provided to MPAC via email at CPF@mpac.ca or:
PO Box 9808
Toronto ON M1S 5T9
MPAC’s property database, which includes ownership, must reflect information as it is legally registered in the Land Titles/Land Registry system. Therefore, if an update needs to be made to a deceased name of an owner, MPAC requires legal documentation via a survivorship application to remove a name from a property.
Do I have to register on voterlookup.ca?
You do not need to register but will need to provide the name of your city/town/village, full name, date of birth and either your property address and; or assessment roll number to confirm or update your elector eligibility.
Why has system been introduced to compile the information used to prepare electoral lists?
voterlookup.ca was originally launched in 2014 to enable electors to actively participate in ensuring that their electoral information is accurate and up-to-date through the flexibility of an online service. voterlookup.ca replaces the traditional Municipal Enumeration Form mail-in system that was less efficient and less effective in gathering information.
Is this online service related with voting in the upcoming provincial election?
No. voterlookup.ca is an online service used to compile information for the Preliminary List of Electors that MPAC provides to support municipal and school board elections that will occur on October 22, 2018.
Will my information be secure online?
voterlookup.ca was created harnessing the latest technology and designed using the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario Privacy by Design principles. voterlookup.ca also meets the requirements in the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of privacy Act.
How does voterlookup.ca differ from the door-to-door or enumeration forms through the mail?
voterlookup.ca is a more efficient method of collecting voter information, replacing the previous paper-driven process. The site features a declaration component which requires the user to verify that the information is ‘true and accurate’. This approach is no different than other data collection methods employed in the past including, door-to-door visits, telephone calls or the enumeration form mail-out.
How does the authentication work for voterlookup.ca?
voterlookup.ca uses a declaration based on legally enforceable statements presented to each user. Specific information entered by each user on voterlookup.ca has to match-up to existing data maintained by MPAC before users are permitted to add their name or apply changes to their information.
Will my personal information be shared or sold?
Information collected using voterlookup.ca is provided to municipalities in the Preliminary List of Electors for the sole use of preparing the final Voters’ List for the upcoming municipal and school board elections. MPAC takes privacy seriously. Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act requirements state that information shared with MPAC for electoral proposes may only be shared with other electoral agencies.