Elections

Municipal & School Board Election 2026

The 2026 Municipal and School Board Elections will take place on October 26, 2026.

The Clerk is appointed as the Municipal Returning Officer by statute and is responsible for the administration and management of municipal elections every four years in accordance with the Municipal Elections Act .

Am I on the voters list?

It's quick and easy to check your voter information!

For the 2026 Municipal and School Board Election, the voters’ list will be prepared using the Permanent Register of Electors maintained by Elections Ontario.

Even if you received a voter card for a recent federal or provincial election, this does not automatically guarantee that your information is up to date for the municipal election — especially if you have moved, changed your name, or need to update your school support.

What’s changed?

Elections Ontario is now responsible for maintaining the voters’ register used for municipal elections.
Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) no longer prepares municipal voters’ lists, but it continues to collect school support information, which determines which school board ballot you receive.
Municipalities use the register provided by Elections Ontario to prepare their official voters’ lists.

What should you do?

Residents are encouraged to check and update their voter information ahead of the 2026 Municipal Election to ensure they are included on the voters’ list and receive the correct ballot.

General Election Information

Information for Candidates

Who can run for Council

To run for municipal Council, you must meet the following requirements:

be a Canadian citizen and at least 18 years of age
be a resident or non-resident elector in the municipality where you are filing your nomination
be eligible to hold office on the day your nomination is filed

For more detailed guidance, consult the  MMAH 2026 candidates' guide

Serving on Town Council

Serving on Council is a meaningful opportunity to help shape the future of your community, but it also comes with significant responsibilities and the need for thoughtful decision making.

Council Members address important issues, consider diverse viewpoints, and often navigate challenging or sensitive matters, all in the best interest of residents.

We encourage you to review the resources below as you consider the possibility of running for Council.

Candidate Package

Nominations open Friday, May 1, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. and close on Friday, August 21, 2026, at 2 p.m.. In order to run for Council or School Board Trustee in the 2026 Municipal Election, you must complete all forms within the Candidate Package prior to submission.

All Candidates must book an appointment with the Clerk to file nomination papers. Please email hlei@twpbrm.ca no earlier than Friday, May 1, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. to book an appointment.

Once a nomination is filed, candidate names will be posted on this website. You cannot begin campaigning until your nomination papers have been officially filed.

Candidate Information Sessions

If you’re considering running for Council, we encourage you to attend the in-person Candidate Information Session hosted by Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) on Thursday, May 28 at 6 p.m., at the Jus Jordan Arena Complex Hall, 729 Synagogue Avenue, Iroquois Falls, ON. This is a great opportunity to learn what it takes to serve and see if this opportunity is right for you.

🔗 Learn More

AMO Election Resources: Supporting your Run for Municipal Office in 2026

School Support Designation

Whether you own or rent your home, your property is linked to a school board – even if you don’t have children or your children aren’t currently attending school. While you’re not required to make a designation, you do have the option to choose which school board you support. If you don’t make a choice, your support will default to the English-Public school board.

Your designation also helps determine how you’re listed on the Preliminary List of Electors, placing you on the correct voters list for the municipal and school board elections.

Ensure your school support designation is up to date before the next election

Homeowners and tenants should review their school support designations, and if needed, update them by June 1, 2026, to be accurately included on the Preliminary List of Electors ahead of the municipal and school board elections on October 26, 2026.

How to update school support designation

Property owners can change their school support designation online using MPAC AboutMyProperty™ or their online portal for tenants. To get started, choose the option that applies to you:

A step-by-step guide is available in English or French.

Please note: Registration may take up to 24 hours to activate.

2026 Municipal Election Key Dates

Below are the important dates and deadlines for candidates, third party advertisers, and voters for the 2026 Municipal Election.

Date	Activity/Milestone
April 15, 2026	Notice of Nomination for the Township of Black River-Matheson Notice of Nomination for School Board Trustees
May 1, 2026	Candidate nomination and Third-Party Advertiser registration open First day to file a Nomination Paper for: Mayor Councillor School Board Trustee Once a nomination paper is filed with the Clerk: Candidates may begin raising and spending money on their campaign A preliminary spending limit will be provided A preliminary contribution limit will be provided to candidates running for Mayor and Councillor (Does not apply to School Board Trustee candidates) Third Party Advertisers First day to file a Notice of Registration A third party advertiser cannot raise or spend money, nor begin advertising, until registration is certified by the Clerk A preliminary spending limit will be provided upon certification Click HERE for more information
May 28, 2026 6 p.m.	MMAH Candidate Information Session at the Jus Jordan Arena Complex Hall, 729 Synagogue Avenue, Iroquois Falls
August 21, 2026, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.	The last day to file a nomination Deadline to withdraw a nomination Candidate nominations may be filed with the Clerk between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. By 2 p.m., last day for a candidate to withdraw their nomination by filing a written notice with the Clerk Click HERE for more information
August 24, 2026, 4 p.m.	Certification of nominations by the Clerk
September 1, 2026	Voters' list becomes available to certified candidates
September 30, 2026	Final spending limits provided to: Candidates Registered third party advertisers Final self-contribution limits provided to candidates running for: Mayor Councillor(Does not apply to School Board Trustee candidates)
October 16, 2026	Advanced Internet and Telephone Voting opens
October 19, 2026 - 8:30 a.m.	Black River-Matheson Voter Assistance Centre opens at Municipal Office; 421 Fifth Avenue, Matheson P0K 1N0
October 23, 2026	Third-party advertiser registration end date
October 26, 2026, 8:30 a.m. –8 p.m.	Voting Day Internet and Telephone Voting Voter Assistance Centre Open
November 14, 2026	Current Term of Council ends (2022–2026)
November 15, 2026	New Term of Council begins (2026–2030)
December 31, 2026	End of campaign period; last day to notify the Clerk in writing to extend campaign period if in a deficit

Advanced Voting

Internet and Telephone Voting opens
Friday, October 16, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.

Internet and telephone voting will be available 24/7

Information regarding how to access Internet and Telephone voting will be provided once available.

Voter Assistance Centre

Voter Assistance Centre - 421 Fifth Avenue Matheson P0K 1N0 Hours of Operation during voting period:
Monday, October 19 - Friday, October 23	8:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 24 - Sunday, October 25	8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Monday, October 26	8:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Voting Day

Monday, October 26, 2026

Internet and Telephone Voting open until 8PM

Voter Assistance Centre - Township Office, 421 Fifth Avenue, Matheson ON P0K 1N0
Open from 8:30AM to 8PM

The Clerk's department is responsible for accepting nominations of candidates running for office, preparing voters' lists, preparing ballots, selecting sites and staff for voting locations for advance voting days and voting day, and certification and distribution of election results.

The Clerk, as Returning Officer, conducts elections for the offices of:

Mayor
Councillor (Ward 1)
Councillor (Ward 2)
Councillor (Ward 3)
Councillor (Ward 4)
Councillor (Ward 5)
Councillor (Ward 6)

421 Fifth Avenue.
P.O. Box 601
Matheson, ON P0K 1N0

Phone: (705) 273-2313
Fax: (705) 273-2140
Send an Email

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