Elections

A person is entitled to be an elector at an election held in the Township if, on Election Day, the person is:

• A Canadian citizen;
• At least 18 years old;
• Residing in the Township, an owner or tenant of land in the Township, or the spouse of such owner or tenant; and
• Not otherwise prohibited from voting.

Between April and August of 2026, municipal enumerations will be conducted by MPAC in order to prepare a preliminary list of electors for the Township. If you have moved since the last election in 2022, or have not confirmed your citizenship through MPAC, you may not be on the list. The Township encourages all voters to participate in MPAC’s municipal enumeration.

Are you on the Voter's List?

Township Council approved the use of Internet and Telephone voting methods for the 2022 Municipal Election. This voting method was previously used in the 2018 Municipal Election. These voting methods replaced the Vote-By-Mail method used during the 2014 Municipal Election. Internet and telephone voting is fast and convenient, and will give voters the opportunity to cast their ballots from anywhere using a computer, smart phone, tablet, or touchtone telephone 24-hours a day throughout the eleven-day voting period.

Whether an elector is away on personal travel, suffering from an illness, working days or nights, has a disability or difficulty travelling, they may cast their ballot from anywhere with an internet connection or a telephone. Additionally, voters will no longer need to get in their cars and travel to polling locations, reducing greenhouse gas emissions; and no ballots will need to be printed which reduces the amount of paper needed for the election.

Telephone voting is comparable to telephone banking and is like Internet voting. However, voters make their selections by touchtone phone. Telephone voting is not compatible with rotary dial phones. 

During the voting period, Township staff will be available to help voters by phone or at the Voter Help Centre to check to see if they are on the voters' list, add or amend their information on the list, help them to use a computer to vote, or to answer any questions about the election or voting process.

View Common Voter Questions and Answers for e-Voting.

The Nomination Period for the next Municipal Election opened on May 2, 2022 and closed on Nomination Day, August 19th, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. A Candidate for municipal office must, upon nomination, be a qualified municipal elector in the Township and fulfill the following requirements:

• Live in the Township of South-West Oxford, be an owner or tenant of land in the Township, or the spouse of an owner or tenant;
• Be a Canadian citizen;
• Be at least 18 years old on Voting Day;
• Not legally prohibited from voting or disqualified by any other legislation.

For the next Municipal Election, new requirements under the Municipal Elections Act require that anyone wishing to run for office as a member of Council submit signatures of at least 25 eligible voters supporting their nomination to run for office.

The campaign period begins when Candidates file their Nomination Papers and officially ends on the date specified (typically a date in January of the following year). Candidates may not accept donations, spend money, or advertise until they file their nomination.

If you are interested in running for office, you are encouraged to view the Candidates' Guide prepared by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. Additional information including important dates can be found on AMCTO's Elections Calendar.

More information for Candidates and voters will continue to become available. Questions may be directed to Julie Middleton, Clerk at 519-485-0477 ext. 7023 or via email.

The following forms are required to be submitted with the Clerk to file your nomination. Nominations must be filed by the date specified by the Clerk during the nomination period.

Below are the forms utilized by Candidates during the 2022 Municipal Election (for reference):

• Nomination Paper -  Form 1.
• Endorsement of Nomination - Form 2.
• Freedom of Information Release.

Anyone interested in running for office is encouraged to read the following resources which will provide you with more information on running for office:

• 2022 Candidates Guide for Ontario Municipal Council and School Board Elections.
• AMCTO Candidate's Guide to Accessible Elections.
• Internet and Telephone Voting Procedures.

Candidates must also have regard to the needs of electors with disabilities. Campaign offices, election materials, and canvassing should all be reviewed in order to ensure that they are fully accessible. The Accessibility Directorate of Ontario has released several quick reference documents to assist Candidates with accessible elections considerations:

• Count Us In: Removing Barriers to Political Participation - Quick Reference Guide to Accessible Campaign Information and Communication

• Count Us In: Removing Barriers to Political Participation - Quick Reference Guide to Accessible Constituency, Riding Association, Central Party, and Campaign Offices

• Count Us In: Removing Barriers to Political Participation - Quick Reference Guide to Accessible All Candidates Meetings

When is the next Municipal Election?

• The 2026 Municipal Election will be held on Monday, October 26, 2026

How can you vote in the next Municipal Election?

• Previously Council has approved voting by internet and phone.
• The approved voting method(s) for the 2026 Municipal Election have not yet been approved by Council.
• Details on the voting period (including advanced voting) will be mailed to you with your Voter Information Letter.

What is the first day Candidates can file their Nomination Papers?

• DATE: TBD
• Candidates that are running for School Board Trustee offices must contact the City of Woodstock Clerk or the City of Sarnia Clerk.

When will Nomination Papers be made available?

•  Nomination Papers will be available online in advance of the voting period.
• If you require assistance with filling out these forms, please contact the Clerk.

When is the last day a Candidate can file their Nomination Papers?

• DATE: TBD

How do I file Nomination Papers?

• All nomination forms must be filed in-person at the Township Office located at 312915 Dereham Line, Mount Elgin, ON. Candidates will be required to pay the applicable filing fee, provide identification, and swear an oath at our office.

How do I withdraw my nomination?

• We have a Notice of Withdrawal form that you will be required to complete at the Elections Office (Township Office). This must be done before the close of nominations on the date specified (TBD).

What is a Third Party Advertiser?

• A Third Party Advertiser can be an individual, corporation, or trade union that is not a Candidate but participates in the election by running a campaign the same way a Candidate would. A Third Party Advertiser can run a campaign that promotes or opposes a particular candidate.

What is the timeframe for Third Party Advertisers to register?

• Third Party Advertisers must register with the Clerk between specific dates specified (TBD).

Where and how is the Voters' List provided?

• The Voters’ List will be available to Candidates on a date to be specified (TBD). On the written request of a certified Candidate for an office, the Clerk shall provide them with the part of the Voters’ List that contains the names of the electors who are entitled to vote for that office.

When can I start campaigning?

• You can only start campaigning after you file your Nomination Papers.

How do I know if I am disqualified from holding office?

• It is the responsibility of each Candidate to ensure they are qualified to seek the office for which they are being nominated. If you are unsure, seek legal advice immediately. You will also be required to swear an Oath of Qualification when filing your nomination.

How does a Candidate choose which Ward to run in? Do you have to live in the Ward you are running in?

• A Candidate can run for office in the Ward of their choice. You do not have to live in the same Ward you are running in. However, you do have to vote from the address at which you reside. For example, if you live in Ward 2 but are running in Ward 1, you have to vote in Ward 2.

What is the definition of a, "Residence"?

In accordance with the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 a person’s, "Residence" is, “the permanent lodging place to which, whenever absent, he or she intends to return”. The following rules apply in determining a person’s, "Residence":

• A person may only have one, "Residence" at a time.
• The place where a person’s family resides is also his or her, "Residence", unless he or she moves elsewhere with the intention of changing his or her permanent lodging place.
• If a person has no other permanent lodging place, the place where he or she occupies a room or part of a room as a regular lodger, or to which he or she habitually returns.

Are there limitations on entering apartment buildings after submitting Nomination Papers?

• Campaign provisions have been clarified to allow Candidates to access apartment buildings, condominiums, non-profit housing co-ops, or gated communities from 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. in order to campaign. Landlords and condominium corporations will not be allowed to prohibit tenants or owners from displaying campaign signs in their windows. Here are the excerpts from the legislation:

Access to residential premises

   88.1  No person who is in control of an apartment building, condominium building, non-profit housing cooperative or gated community may prevent a candidate or his or her representative from campaigning between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. at the doors to the apartments, units or houses, as the case may be.

Display of signs at residential premises

   88.2  (1)  No landlord or person acting on a landlord’s behalf may prohibit  a tenant from displaying signs in relation to an election on the premises to which the lease relates.

Same, condominium corporations

   (2)  No condominium corporation or any of its agents may prohibit the owner or tenant of a condominium unit from displaying signs in relation to an election on the premises of his or her unit.

Exception

   (3)  Despite subsections (1) and (2), a landlord, person, condominium corporation or agent may set reasonable conditions relating to the size or type of signs in relation to an election that may be displayed on the premises and may prohibit the display of signs in relation to an election in common areas of the building in which the premises are found.

Same

   (4)  Despite subsection (3), no landlord, person, condominium corporation or agent may prohibit the display of signs in relation to an election in common areas of the building if space in the building is being used as a voting place.

The legislation regarding the rights of candidates to enter apartment buildings, condominiums, and non-profits for the purposes of canvassing can also be found in the Condominium Act, 1998, S.O. 1998, Chapter 19, Residential Tenancies Act , 2006, S.O. 2006, Chapter 17 and Co-operative Corporations Act, R.S.O. 1990, Chapter C.35 

How are students counted towards votes?

• If a student in the Township of South-West Oxford meets the general eligibility requirements, they are entitled to vote in the Township of South-West Oxford municipal election.

How do I find out how many people are running in a Ward?

• The Township of South-West Oxford will post the names of candidates online once they have been reviewed and approved by the Clerk. 

Is it possible to file Nomination Papers online?

• No, you must file your Nomination Papers in-person at the Township Office. Please contact the Clerk at 519-485-0477 ext. 7023 or via email to book your appointment to file.

Are qualifications only at the time of the nomination or throughout the election?

• You must be eligible to run for office at the time of nomination and throughout the election. If you are elected, you must maintain your eligibility during your time in office.

How do Candidates prove the Voters' List has been destroyed after the Election?

• Candidates will sign a declaration swearing that they will destroy the Voters’ List in an acceptable manner. If they would like to return their list to the Clerk’s Office, we will ensure the list is destroyed on their behalf.

How do I determine which name goes on the ballot? 

• When you file your Nomination Papers, there will be a section for you to write down your name as you want it to appear on the ballot. If you normally go by a different name than your legal first name, you may use that name provided the Clerk agrees. You do not have to provide all of your names under, "Given Name(s)" on the form. Only provide the one(s) that you want to appear on the ballot.

I filed my Nomination Papers; can I assume my name will appear on the ballot?

• No, the Clerk is required to certify each nomination after it has been filed and before the close of nominations. The Clerk will verify the Candidate’s name is on the Voters’ List and, therefore, an eligible elector.
• It is the responsibility of the Candidate to ensure they meet all the qualifications and file proper Nomination Papers. Each Candidate should contact the Township Office to ensure that their forms are in order. Since the Clerk may examine the Nomination Papers after the Nomination Period ends, and may reject them, a Candidate may find that their papers have been rejected and are too late to file additional information or provide proof to the Clerk of their qualifications.

Third Party Advertisers are required to register prior to incurring any expenses for the appearance of a Third Party Advertisement, and must comply with the requirements of the Municipal Elections Act including filing a financial statement as well as spending and contribution limits. A registered Third Party Advertiser may be an individual, corporation, or trade union that has registered with the Clerk of the municipality where they want to advertise. If they want to advertise in more than one municipality, they have to register in each municipality they plan to advertise in. 

A Third Party Advertisement may be a message in any broadcast, print, electronic, or other medium that has the purpose of promoting, supporting, or opposing a candidate in the election or a question on the ballot. Third Party Advertisements are required to contain the following information:

• Name of the registered Third Party;
• Name of the municipality where the Third Party is registered; and
• Phone number, email address, or mailing address at which the registered Third Party may be contacted regarding the advertisement. 

For more information, view the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing's 2022 Guide for Third Party Advertisers.

To register in South-West Oxford, the Notice of Registration - Third Party - Form 7 must be filed in-person with the Township of South-West Oxford Clerk at the Township Office located at 312915 Dereham Line, Mount Elgin, ON.