Elections

Elections

The Municipality of Lakeshore’s next municipal election is:

Monday, October 26, 2026 (Voting Day) 

The election will take place in-person with paper ballots, supported by the use of optical scan vote tabulators.  

On Voting Day, Lakeshore Voters will elect the following offices:  

  • One (1) Mayor   

  • One (1) Deputy Mayor  

  • Six (6) Councillors:  

    • Councillor – Ward 1
    • Councillor – Ward 2
    • Councillor – Ward 3
    • Councillor – Ward 4
    • Councillor – Ward 5
    • Councillor – Ward 6
Individuals interested in running in the 2026 Lakeshore Municipal Election are invited to attend a free Candidates’ Information Meeting on April 8, 2026, at 6:00 PM at the County of Essex Council Chambers.  

Nomination Period

The nomination period commences on May 1, 2026. Candidate nominations can be filed by appointment from 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM, Monday to Friday. 

Please note that the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing is currently updating candidate forms. The revised forms are expected to be available in April. Until then, the 2022 candidate forms are available for reference. 

Nomination Day

Nomination Day is on August 21, 2026.

Deadline to: 

  • File a nomination
  • Withdraw a nomination
  • Change a nomination

Nominations can be filed between the hours of 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM.  

Results

Once the election results are officially announced, they will be available here.

Election Jobs

When municipal election positions become available, details will be posted on this webpage. Please check regularly for updates.

Key Dates

Wednesday, April 8, 2026

Candidates’ Information Meeting

County of Essex Council Chambers on the second floor of the Civic Centre (360 Fairview Ave W Essex, ON).

Friday, May 1, 2026

First Day of Nomination Period
Friday, August 21, 2026

Nomination Day (9:00 AM to 2:00 PM), Deadline to: 

  • File a nomination
  • Withdraw a nomination
  • Change a nomination
Thursday, October 1, 2026

First Advanced Voting Day (10:00 AM to 8:00 PM)

Comber Community Centre, 7100 Community Centre St, Comber

Saturday, October 10, 2026

Second Advanced Voting Day (10:00 AM to 8:00 PM)

Atlas Tube Recreation Centre, 447 Renaud Line, Lakeshore

Monday, October 26, 2026

Election Day (10:00 AM to 8:00 PM)

Voting Locations: TBD

Sunday, November 15, 2026 New Term of Office Commences

Frequently Asked Questions

To vote in a municipal election, you must:

  • Be a Canadian citizen and at least 18 years old.
  • Be qualified to vote in the municipality by:
    • living in the municipality, or
    • owning or renting property in the municipality, or
    • being the spouse of somebody who owns or rents property in the municipality.
  • Not be prohibited from voting according to Section 17 of the Municipal Elections Act (MEA).

Note: property must be personally owner or rented to vote in that municipality. Properties owned by a business or trust do not qualify.

University and College Students:

  • Section 2 (2.1) of the MEA allows post-secondary students to vote in both the municipal election where they are attending school and the municipal election in their "home" municipality, provided they are residing in another municipality to attend a post-secondary institution and intend to return to their "home" municipality at the conclusion of their studies.

To run as a candidate in a municipal election, you must:

  • Be a Canadian citizen and at least 18 years old.
  • Be qualified to vote in the municipality by:
    • living in the municipality, or
    • owning or renting property in the municipality, or
    • being the spouse of somebody who owns or rents property in the municipality.
  • Not be prohibited from holding municipal office according to Section 29 of the MEA.

Nominations for the 2026 election open on Friday, May 1, 2026.

Voters need to have a Voter Information Letter in order to vote.

Identification is required when you vote. You will need to show ID which contains your name and address. You may have to show two pieces of ID to accomplish this.

Please bring an original or certified/notarized copy of any of the following documents:

  • Ontario driver’s licence
  • Ontario Health Card (photo card)
  • Ontario Photo Card
  • Ontario motor vehicle permit (vehicle portion)
  • cancelled personalized cheque
  • mortgage statement, lease or rental agreement relating to property in Ontario
  • insurance policy or insurance statement
  • loan agreement or other 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 or such a government
  • any document from a Band Council in Ontario established under the Indian Act (Canada)
  • income tax assessment notice
  • 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
  • credit card statement, bank account statement, or RRSP, RRIF, RHOSP or T5 statement
  • CNIB Card or a card from another registered charitable organization that 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
  • document showing residence at a long-term care home under the Long-Term Care Homes Act, 2007, issued by the Administrator for the home
  • utility bill for hydro, water, gas, telephone or cable TV or a bill from a public utilities commission
  • cheque stub, T4 statement or pay receipt issued by an employer
  • transcript or report card from a post-secondary school

Planning and preparation for the 2026 Municipal Election are ongoing. More information will become available closer to the opening of the Nomination Period.   

Please send any questions concerning the upcoming 2026 municipal or school board election to Elections@Lakeshore.ca  

Contact Us

Municipality of Lakeshore
419 Notre Dame St.
Belle River, Ontario N8L 0P8

Phone 519-728-2700
Email PublicService@Lakeshore.ca