Elections

Residents are invited to participate in upcoming public information sessions to share feedback on voting options such as in-person paper ballot voting, mail-in voting, and electronic/telephone voting. During the sessions Township staff will be available to answer questions about voting methods being considered for the 2026 Municipal and School Board Election. To view the information boards from the public information sessions, visit the link below. 

Information Boards - Voting Methods Public Information Session

• Public Information Session 1 - Monday, January 19, 2026 | 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. | Snow Valley Resort (2632 Vespra Valley Road, Day Lodge)
• Public Information Session 2 - Tuesday, January 20, 2026 | 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. | Elmvale Community Arena (14 George Street, Elmvale, in the Springwater Room)

• Public Information Session 3 - Thursday, January 22, 2026 | 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. | Township Administration Centre (2231 Nursery Road, Minesing)

Voting Methods Survey

View the staff reports presented to Council regarding potential voting methods for the 2026 Municipal and School Board election. 

• Staff Report - 2026 Municipal and School Board Election – Alternative Voting Methods
• Staff Report - Voting Methods Consultation

• One (1) Mayor
• One (1) Deputy Mayor
• Five (5) Ward Councillors (one for each of Wards 1 to 5)

School Board Trustee elections are also held on October 26, 2026. Nominations for school board trustee are accepted by the Clerk of the municipality with the most electors representing the school board district. For the 2026 Election, the municipalities responsible for each school board trustee elections are:

• Simcoe County District School Board (English Public) - Township of Oro-Medonte
• Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board (English Separate) - Township of Springwater
• Conseil Scolaire Catholique Monavenir (French Public) - City of Barrie
• Conseil Scolaire Viamonde (French Public) - City of Barrie 

A full listing of election forms, documents and publications will be included on the Township CivicWeb Portal in early 2026.

What is the role of a Council Member or Head of Council?

The Municipal Act, Section 224 outlines the following responsibilities for the role of a Councillor:

1. To represent the public and to consider the well-being and interests of the municipality;
2. To develop and evaluate the policies and programs of the municipality;
3. To determine which services the municipality provides;
4. To ensure that administrative policies, practices and procedures and controllership policies, practices and procedures are in place to implement the decisions of council;

(d.1) To ensure the accountability and transparency of the operations of the municipality, including the activities of the senior management of the municipality;

1. To maintain the financial integrity of the municipality; and
2. To carry out the duties of Council under this or any other act.

The Municipal Act, Section 225 outlines the following responsibilities for the role of a Head of Mayor (Head of Council):

1. To act as the chief executive officer of the municipality;
2. To preside over Council meetings so that its business can be carried out efficiently and effectively;
3. To provide leadership to the Council; 
   (c.1) Without limiting clause (c), to provide information and recommendations to the Council with respect to the role of Council described in clauses 224 (d) and (d.1);
4. To represent the municipality at official functions; and
5. To carry out the duties of a head of Council under this or any other Act.

How often do Council Meetings occur?

Regular meetings of Council occur on the first and third Wednesday of every month, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Public meetings under the Planning Act are generally held on the fourth Monday of the month, as required, and Special Meetings are called as deemed necessary by the Mayor or Clerk.

On average, how many hours are needed to prepare for bi-weekly Council meetings?

It is estimated that the preparation time for regular meetings is 2 to 10 hours per meeting, depending on agenda volume and complexity of agenda items. For an example of an agenda and items included on an agenda, please visit the Township CivicWeb Portal.

What are the rates of remuneration for Members of Council?

Further information coming soon. 

How many advisory committees are Councillors typically a part of?

Councillors may participate in between 1 and 4 advisory committees which provide advice and assistance to Council on a variety of special interest areas. 

For a current listing of our Advisory Committees of Council, please visit the Townships CivicWeb Portal.

Qualifications and Nominations Requirements

• Every person is qualified to be elected or hold office for the Mayor, Ward Council and School Board Trustee, if on the day the nomination paper is filed, the person is:
  • At least 18 years of age; 
  • A Canadian Citizen; 
  • A resident of the Township of Springwater, or an owner or tenant of land in the Township of Springwater, or the spouse of an owner or tenant;
  • Not legally prohibited from voting;
  • Not disqualified by any legislation from holding municipal office; and
  • Entitled to be an elector within the Township of Springwater.
• A nomination paper must be signed by 25 eligible voters supporting the nomination. The individuals providing signatures must sign a declaration stating they are eligible to vote in the municipality on the day they sign the endorsement. This endorsement becomes a public record. 
• Each candidate must provide proof of Canadian citizenship in a form acceptable to the Township Clerk. It is the responsibility of the candidate to file a bona fide nomination paper. 
• Nomination forms will be made available in the spring of 2026 or sooner, once released by the Province.
• Employees of the Township of Springwater or its local boards who wish to run for office must take an unpaid leave of absence as of the day the employee is nominated and ending on voting day, before submitting the nomination paper. Employees must provide a copy of the documentation showing this leave of absence and effective date are complete, and must resign their position if elected. 

The following individuals are disqualified from being elected or holding office on a municipal Council:

• 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 Township Clerk will not certify the nomination.
• A candidate who failed to file the necessary financial statement in the last municipal election or by-election.
• An inmate serving a sentence under the Municipal Elections Act and Municipal Act. 

A full list of disqualifications is available under the Municipal Elections Act and Municipal Act, found here.

Filing Fees

• Filing fee for nomination to the position of Mayor is $200.00.
• Filing fee for nominations to Deputy Mayor, Ward Councillor or School Board Trustee is $100.00.
• Payment must be by cash, certified cheque, debit or money order payable to the Township of Springwater.

Withdrawal of Nomination

 If a candidate decides they no longer wish to run for Office, the following must occur: 

• File a written Withdrawal of Nomination form, in-person, with the Township Clerk;
• Provide identification; and
• File a financial statement by the deadline date.

The last day to withdrawal: Friday, August 21, 2026, at 2:00 p.m.

Reasons to Reject a Nomination by the Clerk

Prior to 2:00 p.m. on Friday, Augst 21, 2026 (Monday following Nomination Day), the Township Clerk must examine each nomination filed. If satisfied and if the nomination complies with the Municipal Election Act, 1996, the person is qualified to be nominated and the Township Clerk shall certify the nomination. If not satisfied, the Township Clerk shall reject the nomination and give notice to the person who sought to be nominated and all other candidates for that office. The Township Clerk's decision to reject a nomination is final. 

The Township Clerk may consider the following criteria in the decision to reject or certify nominations:

• The candidate has refused or declined to provide proof of qualifications or identification suitable to the Township Clerk.
• The candidate does not meet the eligibility requirements set out under Section 29(1) of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996.
• The nomination form is not complete in its entirety, or the filing fee has not been paid.
• The necessary financial statement was not filed for the previous regular election for any new election in which the individual may have been a candidate.

 Who Can Vote?

 A person is entitled to vote in a municipal election if, on Voting Day, they:

• Reside in the local municipality, or are the owner or tenant of land in the municipality, or the spouse of such owner or tenant; and
• Are a Canadian citizen;
• Are at least 18 years old; and
• Are not prohibited from voting under the Municipal Elections Act or otherwise prohibited by law

Resident Elector

A resident elector is a person who lives and is eligible to vote in that municipality’s election. A person is only allowed to have one residence.

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:

1. A person may only have one residence at a time;
2. The place where a person’s family resides is also their residence, unless they moves elsewhere with the intention of changing their permanent lodging place;
3. If a person has no other permanent lodging place, the place where they occupy a room or part of a room as a regular lodger, to which they habitually return, is their residence.

Non-Resident Elector

If a person lives in one municipality but owns or rents property in another municipality, then they are a non-resident elector and able to vote in that municipality’s election. 

Spouse of Non-Resident Elector

If a person lives in one municipality and qualifies as a spouse of a non-resident elector, then they are able to vote in that municipality’s election.

People Without Housing

Persons without a permanent residence may also qualify to be added to the Voters List during the revision period by submitting an application to the Clerk. If a person has no permanent residence or lodging place, the following rules apply in determining their residence:

1. The place to which the person most frequently returned to sleep or eat during the five weeks preceding the determination is their residence.
2. If the person returns with equal frequency to one place to sleep and another to eat, the place to which they return to sleep is their residence.
3. Multiple returns to the same place during a single day, whether to eat or to sleep, shall be considered one return.
4. A person’s affidavit regarding the places to which they returned to eat or sleep during a given time period is conclusive, in the absence of evidence to the contrary.

MPAC is not required to include a person without housing's name on the Preliminary List of Electors. As persons without housing are entitled to be electors, they are also eligible to be candidates provided they meet the citizenship and age requirements, and are not otherwise prohibited by law.

Students

A person may have residences in two local municipalities at the same time if the person lives in one of the local municipalities in order to attend an education institution but not with the intention of changing their permanent lodging place, and the person’s permanent lodging place is in the other local municipality.

Therefore, students can vote in the municipality where they attend school and they can also vote in the municipality where they live.

Trailer Owners – Campgrounds

Trailer owners in campgrounds are tenants of the campground – therefore, they are potentially eligible electors. Under a timeshare contract, to be eligible, the person must be entitled to use the land on Voting Day, or for a period of six weeks or more during the calendar year in which the election is held.

Who Cannot Vote?

The following cannot vote:

• A person who is serving a sentence of imprisonment in penal or correctional institution.
• A corporation.
• A person acting as executor or trustee or in any other representative capacity, except as a voting proxy in accordance with section 44 of the Municipal Elections Act.
• A person who was convicted of the corrupt practice described in subsection 90(3), if Voting Day in the current election is less than five years after Voting Day in the election in respect of which he or she was convicted.

Election day is Monday, October 26, 2026. 

Scroll right or rotate your screen to view the complete table on a mobile device. 

The Clerk's Department are pleased to assist you with any questions you may have concerning the Municipal Election. For any questions, concerns or further information, please contact clerks@springwater.ca or 705-728-4784 x2015.

Do you need Assistance for the 2026 Municipal Election?

The Township of Springwater Clerk’s Department is committed to having regard to the needs of electors with disabilities and consideration to the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001, as amended, while providing all eligible electors full access and the right to vote during the 2026 Municipal Election.

The Township of Springwater Administration Centre at 2231 Nursery Road provides full accessibility for the 2026 Municipal Election. If you have specific needs/or a disability and require additional assistance, please contact the Clerk’s Office at 705-728-4784 x2015 or email clerks@springwater.ca. 

Pursuant to Section 88.37(1) of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, as amended, municipalities are required, prior to October 1 in a regular election year, to establish a Compliance Audit Committee (CAC). The purpose of the CAC is to consider applications for compliance audits of candidates’ or registered third parties’ campaign finances and determine if audits are required. The responsibilities of the CAC are fulfilled in a fair, open and responsible manner.

The Committee is to be comprised of persons with accounting and audit, academic or legal backgrounds and/or other individuals with knowledge of election campaign finances. Members should have a demonstrated knowledge and understanding of municipal election campaign finances; proven analytical and decision-making skills; experience working on a committee, task force or similar setting; and good oral and written communication skills.

The Committee is established prior to Election Day and appointments take effect on the first day of the new Council’s term of office.

Who can register as a Third Party Advertiser?

A registered third party advertiser is an individual, corporation, trade union, or other body that advertises to support or oppose a candidate or a question on the ballot for the municipal election. A registered third party is subject to many of the same requirements as that of a candidate, including filing registration papers, expense limits and financial statements, and is subject to the Township's Election Sign By-law and other legislation and by-laws. 

No election advertising outside of a candidate or registered third party is permitted. 

A third party may register with the Clerk's Department Friday, May 1, 2026 until October 26, 2026. 

Registered third party packages will be available in the spring of 2026, or sooner. There is no registration fee for third party advertisers, but the Clerk must examine the registration, and then certify the notice of registration if deemed compliant, or reject the registration.

The following are not permitted to register:

• Municipal election candidates.

• Federal and Provincial political parties, constituency associations, registered candidates and leadership contestants.

• A Federal and Provincial government, municipality or local board.

If third party advertisers want to advertise in more than one municipality, they will be required to register in each municipality. This includes newspaper publications that originate in one municipality but are delivered to multiple municipalities.

Candidate Information Session

The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, in partnership with the City of Orillia and the Townships of Oro-Medonte, Severn, Ramara and Springwater will be hosting free information sessions for potential candidates interested in running in the 2026 Municipal and School Board Election and those interested in registering as a Third-Party Advertiser. 

What is considered a paid advertisement?

The following are not considered as paid advertisements:

• An advertisement by and under the direction of a candidate;

• Where no expenses are incurred by the person/entity in relation to the advertisement; and

• When given or transmitted by an individual to employees, by a corporation to its shareholders, directors, members or employees or by a trade union to its members or employees.

Advertising that does not cost money to post or to broadcast, such as comments made on social media, will not be considered as third party advertising.

Rules for Broadcasters and Publishers

Broadcasters and publishers are responsible for ensuring that all qualifying advertisements comply with the Municipal Elections Act.

Restricted Campaign Period

Broadcasters and publishers may only permit third party advertisements to appear between May 1, 2026 to Election Day October 26, 2026 (Election Day).

Mandatory Information

A registered third party advertiser must provide the following information to the broadcaster or publisher in writing before the third party advertisement appears:

• The name of the registered third party;
• The name of the business address and telephone number of the individual who deals with the broadcaster or publisher under the direction of the registered third party; and
• The municipality where the registered third party is registered.

All third party advertisements must contain the following information:

• The name of the registered third party;
• The municipality where the registered third party is registered; and
• The telephone number, mailing address or email address at which the registered third party may be contacted regarding the advertisement

Maintaining Records

The broadcaster or publisher of a third party advertisement must maintain records for 4 years after the date the advertisement appears. These records must contain:

• Mandatory information described in section 1 (above), as outlined under section 88.5(2) of the Act;
• A copy of the advertisement, or the means of reproducing it for inspection; and
• A statement of charge made for its appearance.

The public must be permitted to inspect the records during normal business hours.

Charges and Contributions

The broadcaster or publisher may not charge a third party advertiser more or less than their normal advertising rate. If less is charged, the difference is deemed to be a contribution to the third party advertiser. Providing free advertising is considered a contribution towards the third party advertiser, unless all third party advertisers are offered the same service.

Broadcasters or Publishers as Registered Third Party Advertisers

Broadcasters or publishers, who wish to conduct third party advertising, must register as a third party advertiser and follow the requirements of the Act. A Third Party Advertisers’ guide, published by the Government of Ontario, will be provided upon registration.

Can anyone use the Township logo in their campaign material?

No, the Township’s logo is protected, and the Township asserts copyright over its use.

What is a Registered Third Party?

A registered third party is any individual, corporation or trade union that advertises to support or oppose a candidate or a question on the ballot for the municipal election. A registered third party is subject to many of the same requirements as that of a candidate, including filing registration papers, expense limits and financial statements, and is subject to the Township's Election Sign By-law. No election advertising outside of a candidate or registered third party is permitted. 

An example of a registered third party would include, but is not limited to, a business operating from the municipality or a rate payers group.

Why have I been asked to sign an endorsement?

As part of their nomination filing package, a candidate for Council must include twenty-five (25) written endorsements of nomination for their position. A person endorsing a nomination must be an eligible voter in Springwater on the day to which the endorsement is made. 

When can I file my nomination for Council?

The nomination period for 2026 is from May 1 to August 21, 2026.

When can election signs be posted?

Municipal election signs may be posted starting on the second Friday in September, and must be removed by end of day on the fifth day following Election Day. This means municipal election signs may be posted from Friday, September 11, 2026 to Saturday, October 31, 2026.

As a resident, how much can I donate to one candidate? Can I donate to multiple candidates?

An individual may contribute up to $1,200 to one candidate. You may donate to more than one candidate, however, total contributions to multiple candidates from one individual cannot exceed $5,000.

Can election signs be posted in a different ward from the one in which a candidate is running for office?

No, municipal election signs can only be posted in the area for which the candidate has filed a nomination.

Who can vote?

In order to qualify as an eligible elector, you must:

• Reside in the Township of Springwater, or are the owner or tenant of land, or the spouse of such owner or tenant;
• Be a Canadian citizen;
• Be 18 years of age (as of Election Day); and
• Not prohibited from voting as outlined in s.17(3) of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 or otherwise by law.

How do I register to vote in the municipal election?

Once the Preliminary List of Electors (PLE) is available, there will be a public notice to review, correct or add your name to the Voters List.

Does a candidate have to live in the ward in which they run for office?

No. An eligible candidate for the Township of Springwater can run for office for either Mayor, Deputy Mayor, or for Councillor in any one of the five wards.

Wards

In the Township of Springwater, you elect your Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and Ward Councillor. See a breakdown of the Township of Springwater's wards by clicking the link to the map below. The Township of Springwater is conducting a Ward Boundary Review to ensure electoral wards remain balanced and provide all residents with fair and effective representation. To view information on the process visit the Ward Boundary Review section of our website. 

Ward Boundary Look-up Tool