Municipal Elections
Changes for 2018
Election guides for voters, candidates and third party advertisers
Information for voters
Ranked ballot elections
General resources
Election job opportunities
Information for broadcasters and publishers
Contact us
Changes for 2018
The following changes were made to the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 after the 2014 municipal elections and will impact the 2018 municipal elections:
- there are new rules regulating third party advertising
- municipalities now have the option to used ranked ballots to elect their councils
- nominations to run for municipal council or school trustee may be filed with the municipal clerk beginning May 1, 2018, and may be filed until 2 p.m. on July 27, 2018
- candidates running for council in municipalities with more than 4000 electors must submit 25 endorsement signatures when they file their nomination
For more detailed information, see the ministry’s election guides.
Municipal council and school board elections will take place on Monday, October 22, 2018.
Introduction
Election guides for voters, candidates and third party advertisers
2018 Voters’ guide for Ontario municipal council and school board elections2018 Candidates’ guide for Ontario municipal council and school board elections
2018 Guide for third party advertisers – Ontario municipal council and school board elections
Information for voters
To vote in a municipal council or school board election, you need to be on the voters' list as an elector.
You can add yourself, change personal information, change your school support for electoral purposes and add other electors under your address.
You are required to show identification to vote. If your name is on the voters’ list, you will be required to show one piece of identification that has your name and address. Your photo or signature is not required.
List of acceptable documents for voter identification
If you can't get to a voting place to cast your ballot, your municipality may allow you to appoint a voting proxy.
Ranked ballot elections
Beginning with the 2018 election, municipalities have the option of using ranked ballots to elect members of council. More information about ranked ballot elections:
- Guide to Ranked Ballot Elections For Ontario Municipalities
- Ranked Ballots – Guide for Clerks
- Follow Your Ballot: An example of a ranked ballot election
- Frequently Asked Questions about ranked ballot elections
Read about how the City of London will be using ranked ballots in the 2018 council election.
General resources
Municipal Elections Act, 1996
Ranked Ballot Elections Regulation
Declaration of Office – Municipal Act
Declaration of Office – Municipal Act - Alternate option for Indigenous persons
Declaration of Office – City of Toronto Act
Declaration of Office – City of Toronto Act - Alternate option for Indigenous persons
Information for Federal Public Servants – Public Service Commission of Canada
Municipal Elections Act Review
Election job opportunities
Municipal elections in Ontario are administered by the municipal clerk. Contact your municipal clerk for information about employment opportunities in your municipality. Contact Elections Ontario for employment opportunities in the provincial election.
Information for broadcasters and publishers
Broadcasters and publishers have new responsibilities related to the campaign advertisements of candidates and third party advertisers. The campaign period begins on May 1 and ends on December 31.
Advertisements by candidates or third party advertisers:
If a candidate is advertising, you must collect in writing:
- the candidate’s name
- the name, business address and telephone number of the individual who deals with the broadcaster or publisher under the direction of the candidate (Note: this individual may be the candidate themselves)
If a registered third party is advertising, you must collect in writing:
- the name of the registered third party (Note: this may be the name of an individual, a corporation, or a trade union)
- the municipality where the third party is registered
- the name, business address and telephone number of the individual who deals with the broadcaster or publisher under the direction of the registered third party
You must not broadcast or publish any campaign advertising without recording this information.
Broadcasters and publishers must maintain records of:
- the information collected in writing
- a copy of the advertisement (or the means of reproducing the advertisement for inspection)
- a statement of the charge made for its appearance
These records must be kept for 4 years after the date the advertisement appears. The public must be permitted to inspect the records.
Third party advertising is restricted from the start of the campaign period on May 1 until the close of voting on October 22, 2018. Broadcasters and publishers are not required to collect information or retain records for advertisements that appear before May 1.
Read the guide for third party advertisers to learn about the rules.