The following offices are to be elected, at large:

• Mayor (1)
• Deputy Mayor (1)
• Councillor (5)

To be eligible to run for the office of Mayor, Deputy Mayor, or Councillor, you must be:

• A Canadian citizen;
• At least eighteen (18) years of age;
• A resident of the Town of Kingsville or an owner or tenant of land in the Toronto (or the spouse of the owner or tenant);
• Not legally prohibited from voting; and,
• Not disqualified from holding office by by any legislation.

Disqualified Persons

The following people are disqualified from holding the office of Mayor, Deputy Mayor, or Councillor:

• A judge of any court;
• A member of the Provincial Legislature, the Federal House of Commons or Senate who has not resigned from their office by the close of nominations. Proof of resignation must be provided by the close of nominations; or,
• A candidate who failed to file the necessary financial statement or exceeded the prescribed spending limit in the last municipal election or by-election.

Town of Kingsville Employees

Town of Kingsville employees who wish to run for the office of Mayor, Deputy Mayor, or Councillor must take an unpaid leave of absence prior to filing a nomination. Documentation proving the leave of absence is required upon nomination filing.

To be eligible to run for the office of School Board Trustee, you must be:

• A Canadian citizen;
• At least eighteen (18) years of age;
• A resident in the area of jurisdiction of the applicable board;
• Not legally prohibited from voting; and,
• Not disqualified from holding municipal office by any legislation.

Disqualified Persons

The following people are disqualified from running for the office of school board trustee, or from holding office on any school board:

• A Clerk, Deputy Clerk, Treasurer  or Deputy Treasurer of any municipality within the area of jurisdiction of the school board except those on an unpaid leave of absence
• A member of the Provincial Legislature, the Federal House of Commons or Senate who has not resigned from their office by the close of nominations. Proof of resignation must be provided by the close of nominations
• A candidate who failed to file the necessary financial statement or exceeded the prescribed spending limit in the last municipal election or by-election

School Board Employees

• Employees of any school board (including supply teachers) are disqualified from being elected as school board trustee or from holding office on any school board, except during a leave of absence.
• The employee must be on a leave of absence before filing their nomination paper. Documentation proving leave of absence is required.

Area of Jurisdiction 

If you want to run for School Board Trustee, you must live within that applicable School Board's area of jurisdiction. 

To become a candidate in the 2026 Municipal and School Board Election, you are required to file your nomination in person with the Clerk or their designate. The first day to file a nomination is Friday, May 1, 2026, and thereafter, candidates may file nominations on any business day (Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm) until Nomination Day.

On Nomination Day, Friday, August 21, 2026, nominations may be filed between 9:00 am and 2:00 pm.

To file a nomination, you must submit the following:

1. A completed Nomination Paper - Form 1
2. An Endorsement of Nomination - Form 2 containing at least twenty-five (25) original signatures (applicable for the offices of Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and Councillor only)
3. The applicable nomination filing fee (to be paid by cash, debit, certified cheque or money order, made payable to Town of Kingsville)
   • $200 for Mayor
   • $100 for Deputy Mayor, Councillor, or School Board Trustee
4. An acceptable piece of identification 

Original signatures are required on all forms. Digital signatures are not acceptable. 

If an agent is filing a nomination on behalf of a candidate, the agent must provide all of the above, express written authorization from the candidate for whom they are filing, as well as their own identification. 

Appointments for nominations are preferred but not required. To schedule a nomination appointment, email Kingsville Elections or call 519-733-2305 ext. 500. Please note that appointments last approximately thirty (30 minutes) and are scheduled on a first come, first served basis.

Candidates filing a nomination must present valid acceptable identification (ID) showing name, qualifying Kingsville address and signature. This can be one piece of ID or a combination of two (2) pieces of ID.

One piece of ID showing name, qualifying Kingsville address and signature, including:

• Ontario Driver’s Licence
• Ontario Health Card (photo card with address)
• Ontario Motor Vehicle Permit (plate portion)
• Cancelled personalized cheque
• Mortgage, lease or rental agreement
• Insurance policy
• Loan or financial agreement with a financial institution
• Document issued or certified by a court in Ontario
• Any other document from the government of Canada, Ontario or a municipality in Ontario or from an agency of such a government
• Any document from a Band Council in Ontario established under the Indian Act (Canada)

Or

Two pieces of First piece of ID showing name and signature, including:

• Ontario Driver’s Licence
• Ontario Health Card
• Ontario Motor Vehicle Permit (plate portion)
• Canadian passport
• Certificate of Canadian Citizenship
• Certificate of Indian Status
• Veterans Affairs Canada Health Card
• Social Insurance Number Card
• Old Age Security Card
• Credit card
• Debit card
• Employee Identification card
• Student Identification card issued by a post-secondary institution
• Union Identification card or professional licence card
• Cancelled personalized cheque
• Mortgage, lease or rental agreement for property in Ontario
• Insurance policy
• Document issued or certified by a court in Ontario
• Any other document issued by the government of Canada, Ontario or a municipality in Ontario or from an agency of such a government
• Any document from a Band Council in Ontario established under the Indian Act (Canada)

Second piece of ID showing name and qualifying Kingsville address:

• Ontario Motor Vehicle Permit (vehicle portion)
• Income Tax Assessment Notice - T1
• Child Tax Benefit Statement
• Statement of Employment Insurance Benefits Paid T4E
• Statement of Old Age Security T4A (OAS)
• Statement of Canada Pension Plan Benefits T4A (P)
• Canada Pension Plan Statement of Contributions
• Statement of Direct Deposit for Ontario Works
• Statement of Direct Deposit for Ontario Disability Support Program
• Workplace Safety and Insurance Board Statement of Benefits T5007
• Property tax assessment
• Insurance statement
• Mortgage, lease or rental statement for property in Ontario
• Credit card, bank account, RRSP, RRIF, RHOSP or T5 statement
• CNIB Card or a card from another registered charitable organization which provides services to persons with disabilities
• Hospital card or record
• Document showing campus residence issued by the office or officials responsible for student residence at a post-secondary institution
• Utility bill for hydro, water, gas, telephone or cable TV or a bill from a public utilities commission
• Cheque stub, T4 or pay receipt issued by an employer
• Transcript or report card from a post-secondary school
• Document issued or certified by a court in Ontario
• Any other document issued by the government of Canada, Ontario or a municipality in Ontario or from an agency of such a government
• Any document from a Band Council in Ontario established under the Indian Act (Canada)

Candidates must comply with campaign finance rules as set out in the Municipal Elections Act, 1996. You will also be required to file a Financial Statement - Form 4 after the Election, within a prescribed timelines, that reflects the money you raised and spent on your campaign.

Some important finance rules to keep in mind include:

• You cannot raise or spend any money on your campaign until you file a nomination paper;
• You must open a bank account for your campaign if you intend to spend any money or accept any contributions;
• Individuals can only contribute a maximum of $1,200 to a candidate for Councillor, Deputy Mayor or School Board trustee and $2,500 to a candidate for Mayor;
• You must collect the full name and address of everyone who contributes money or goods/services to your campaign;
• You cannot accept contributions from corporations or trade unions; and,
• You must follow spending and contribution limits provided to you when you file your nomination.

2022 Candidates' Guide: Ontario Municipal and School Board Elections

2025-2027 Municipal Elections Calendar

County of Essex Policy for Temporary Election Signs on County Roads

Election Sign By-law 78-2018

Lead Where You Live: A Guide to Running for Municipal Council

Leading With Respect Handguides

Municipal Act, 2001

Municipal Elections Act, 1996

The Ontario Municipal Councillor's Guide

County of Essex Candidates' Information Meeting - April 8, 2026

Not sure if running for Council is right for you? The County of Essex is hosting a regional Candidates' Information Meeting on Wednesday, April 8, 2026. See the County's News Release for more information and to register. 

Running for Municipal Office: Everything You Need to Know as an Underrepresented Candidate  - April 8, 2026

The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) is offering a workshop specifically for underrepresented candidates. This 90 minute workshop provides useful insights and strategies to support you in getting your name on the ballot. See AMO's News Release for more information and to register.

Healthy Democracy Leaders Series: Stronger Leaders, Stronger Communities - Various Dates

The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) is offering a workshop series for first-time aspiring leaders and leaders seeking re-election. "Stronger Leaders, Strong Communities" is designed to equip you with the tools, resilience, and confidence to meet challenges head on and to rediscover the purpose that brought you to public service in the first place. 

This series is being offered in 2 streams:

Stream 1: For elected officials at the municipal level across Ontario who are considering re-election in 2026 and preparing their path forward. Register for Stream 1.

Stream 2: For community members considering a run for municipal office in 2026—first-time candidates who want to build confidence before launching a campaign. Civic-minded leaders who want to explore whether elected office is right for them. Register for Stream 2.

An Information Session for Youth Considering Running for Municipal Office - Various Dates

The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) is offering a workshop series for young people thinking about running for office in the 2026 Municipal Election. See AMO's News Release for more information and to register.

An Information Session for Urban Indigenous Peoples Considering Running for Municipal Office - Various Dates

The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) is offering a workshop series for indigenous peoples thinking about running for office in the 2026 Municipal Election. See AMO's News Release for more information and to register.