Elections

You need to be on the voters' list to vote in a municipal council or school board election.

Starting September 1, 2026, you can contact City Hall for more information on how to confirm, update or add your information to the voters' list. 

Registering to vote is the voter's responsibility and helps confirm that your name appears on the voters’ list for the Ontario municipal election. Ensuring you are on the voters' list ahead of time ensures you receive your voter's letter and makes for a smooth voting experience.

Your school support designation helps determine which school board voters’ list you appear on for the municipal election.

In Ontario, MPAC (Municipal Property Assessment Corporation) collects and maintains this information and provides it to Elections Ontario for the Preliminary List of Electors.

Voters should review and update their school support designation, if needed, by June 1, 2026, to help ensure their information is correct for the October 26, 2026 election.

To learn more and/or review and update your school support, visit: www.mpac.ca 

In December, 2025, the City of Pembroke Council passed By-law 2024-70 authorizing the use of internet voting, paper ballots, and vote tabulators for voting in the 2026 Municipal and School Board Election.

These voting options are intended to provide eligible electors with a voting process that is accessible, convenient, and secure.

Eligible electors can expect to receive a Voter Information Letter (VIL) at the beginning of October 2026. This letter will include the information needed to vote once the voting period opens. 

If you do not receive a voter information letter in the mail, please check with the Clerks office to see if your information is up to date by calling 613-735-6821.

The voting period will begin on October 16, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. and will close on October 26, 2026, at 8:00 p.m.

Ballots may be cast electronically using a:

• computer
• tablet, or
• smartphone

A Voter Help Centre will be available during the voting period to assist eligible electors with the voting process, including:

• receiving help with internet or telephone voting
• being added to the Voters’ List
• updating personal information on the Voters’ List

The Voter Help Centre will be located at:

Pembroke City Hall
1 Pembroke Street East
Pembroke, ON

Hours of operation for the Voter Help Centre will be posted on this website closer to the voting period.

In order to register to become a candidate for Mayor, Councillor or School Board Trustee in the upcoming election, you must be: 

• A Canadian citizen and at least 18 years old 
• A resident of the municipality, a non-resident owner or tenant of land in the municipality or the spouse of such non-resident owner or tenant
• Not legally prohibited from voting; and not disqualified by any legislation from holding municipal office.

Candidates are also required to pay a fee as follows:

• $100 for Councillor, or School Trustee;
• $200 for Mayor

To run for office in the City of Pembroke, you must file an official Nomination Paper (Form 1). You cannot raise or spend campaign funds until your nomination has been filed.

Nomination papers must be filed in person by you or your agent with the Clerk’s Office at City Hall. Nominations may be filed between May 1, 2026 and August 21, 2026 during regular office hours. On Nomination Day, Friday, August 21, 2026, nominations will be accepted until 2:00 p.m.

You or your agent must provide identification when filing. Candidates are encouraged to book an appointment in advance.

When filing your nomination, you must:

• complete the Nomination Paper (Form 1)
• complete the Endorsement of Nomination (Form 2), if required
• complete the Consent to Release Personal Information form
• provide proof of identity
• pay the required nomination fee:
  • $200 for Mayor
  • $100 for Councillor or School Board Trustee

Accepted payment methods are cash, debit, certified cheque, or money order.

Candidates for municipal Council must submit 25 original endorsement signatures with their nomination.

Each person endorsing a nomination:

• may endorse more than one candidate
• must be eligible to vote in the City of Pembroke on the date they sign the form
• The qualifying address provided must include the postal code.
• When an individual provides their signature as endorsement for a candidate, the form they are signing (Form 2) contains a declaration that the individual is eligible to vote in the municipality as of the day they sign the endorsement
• Candidates running for school board trustee are not required to submit endorsement signatures.

Candidates are responsible for making sure all forms are complete and accurate. Do not sign any forms before filing your nomination.

All nominations are reviewed by the Clerk and must be certified before they are officially accepted.

A candidate may withdraw their nomination by filing written notice with the Clerk before 2:00 p.m. on August 21, 2026.

Nomination papers are public documents and may be viewed by the public.

Nomination fees will be refunded if the candidate files their campaign financial statement by the required deadline of March 30, 2027.

Here's how to withdraw your nomination papers:

• Withdraw your nomination in writing before 2 p.m. on Nomination Day (Friday, Aug. 21, 2026)
• Submit your withdrawal in person. You may need to show ID.
• Candidates who withdraw their nomination are still required to submit an initial financial statement by 2 pm on March 30, 2027, that covers all financial transactions up to the time of the withdrawal.
• A candidate who has already filed a nomination and wishes to run for a different office must submit a new nomination package for the new office by 2:00 p.m. on August 21, 2026. The new nomination must be filed in person by the candidate or their agent at the Clerk’s Office. Once the new nomination is filed, the candidate’s previous nomination is considered withdrawn

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

Candidates' Guide to Accessible Elections (AMCTO 2021)

Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Election Resources

AMO's Health Democracy Leadership Series: Supporting Local Leadership in run up to the 2026 Municipal Elections

AMO - Supporting Your Run For Municipal Office in 2026 : Lead Where You Live

AMO - Information Session for Youth Considering Running for Municipal Office - June 2, 2026 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

AMO - Information Session for Urban Indigenous Peoples Considering Running for Municipal Office May 6 and June 3, 2026 6:30-8:30 p.m.

AMO - Running for Municipal Office - Everything You Need to Know as an Underrepresented Candidate - June 9, 2026 6:30 p.m.

AMO - Explore Supports for Candidates

Municipal Elections Act

Ontario Municipal Councillor's Guide

School Board Trustee Elections