• Candidate must be a resident of the Village of Merrickville-Wolford or a non-resident owner or tenant of land in the Village of Merrickville-Wolford or the spouse of such non-resident owner or tenant;
• a Canadian citizen
• at least 18 years old;
• not legally prohibited from voting;  and not disqualified by any legislation from holding municipal office.
• You must pay a fee of $100 ($200 for Mayor).

Despite the above, the following people are disqualified from being elected as a member of Council or from holding office as a member of Council:

• an employee of the Municipality unless he or she takes an unpaid leave of absence beginning the day they are nominated and resigns if elected to the office;
• 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 the Clerk will not certify the nomination; and
• a candidate who failed to file the necessary financial statement(s) in the last Municipal election or by-election.

• is a Canadian citizen; is at least 18 years old;
• is a resident of board's area of jurisdiction;
• is a supporter of that school board; and
• is not prohitibed from voting.

Despite the above, the following people are disqualified from being elected as a school board trusteel or from holding office on any school board:

• an employee of the school board unless he or she takes an unpaid leave of absence beginning the day they are nominated and resigns if elected to the office;
• a clerk, treasurer, deputy-clerk 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 or the Clerk will not certify the nomination; and
• a candidate who failed to file the necessary financial statement(s) in the last Municipal election or by-election.

Municipal Candidates

Nomination Period begins on Friday, May 1st at 9:00 a.m. up to and including Friday, August 21st, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.

An eligible individual can become a candidate by filing the following information with the Returning Officer, beginning May 1, 2026 during regular business hours and before Nomination Day of August 21, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. at the Municipal Office (317 Brock St. W, Merrickville):

• the prescribed Nomination Paper Form 1
• a completed declaration of Qualifications form signed by the candidate
• a completed Consent to Release Personal Information signed by the candidate
• the prescribed nomination filing fee of $200 for the office of Mayor and $100 for the office of Councillor to be paid by cash, debit, certified cheque, or money order
• proof of identity 

Candidate packages are available from the Clerk's Department at the Municipal Office located at 317 Brock St. W, Merrickville, Ontario, Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Candidates must submit their nomination papers at the Municipal Office. Candidates are asked to bring proof of identity and residence, along with the unsigned forms, with them to be signed in front of the Returning Officer, Deputy Returning Officer, or designate.

Candidate's Guide

The Ministry of Municipal Affairs & Housing produces a Candidates' Guide to provide information to candidates in municipal and school board elections. 

Trustee Candidates

Details on submitting Nomination forms for school board Trustee positions will be updated once available.

Note: Nomination Papers are public documents and are available for inspection at the Clerk's Department.

Campaign spending limits will be available in the nomination package available at the Municipal Office.

Candidates are not allowed to spend money to campaign or ask for or accept contributions before filing nomination forms.

The first day that nominations can be filed for the upcoming election will be Friday, May 1, 2026.. Nomination day (the deadline to file a nomination) for the upcoming election will be Friday, August 21, 2026.

Key Dates

May 1: Nominations Open

August 21: Nominations Close at 2:00 p.m.

October 26: Voting Day

Who is Running

As nominations are received, there will be a Meet the Candidates page made available.

These webpages provide potential Candidates and School Board Trustee's and Third Party Advertisers with additional resources for the 2026 Municipal and School Board Trustee Election. 

Village of Merrickville-Wolford Policy and Procedures are still in the development process.

• Municipal Elections Act
• Municipal Act
• Municipal Conflict of Interest Act
• Association of Municpalities of Ontario (AMO)

If you are considering running for office in the 2026 Municipal Election, below are some municipal resources that you can begin referencing pertaining specifically to Merrickville-Wolford.