Elections

The next Municipal Election will be held on October 26, 2026. We're here to help. If you need more information, or have any questions, please contact the Clerk's Office at 2529 Stirling Marmora Road, or at 613-395-3380 ext. 2234 or clerk@stirling-rawdon.com

Visit RegisterToVoteON.ca for information on eligibility, registration and how to check, update or add your information to the voters list for both municipal and provincial elections.

Key Dates

Thinking of Running for Council.... Now What?

Join the free upcoming candidate information sessions.

Compliance Audit Committee

The Corporations of the Townships and Municipalities of Hastings County are currently seeking interested applicants to be a part of the Joint Hastings County 2026 Election Compliance Audit Committee.

Click here for the full advertisement for the Joint Compliance Audit Committee.

Interested applicants can click here for the applications.

Eligibility to Vote

You can vote if you are:

A Canadian citizen; and

At least 18 years old; and

A resident of the Township of Stirling-Rawdon; or

A non-resident of the Township of Stirling-Rawdon, but you or your spouse own or rent property in the municipality; and

Are not prohibited from voting under any law

Visit Register to Vote for information on eligibility, registration and how to check, update or add your information to the voters list for both municipal and provincial elections.

What's my Ward?

Ward 1 - former Township of Rawdon Map

Ward 2 - former Village of Stirling Map

How to Vote

Check to see if you’re on the Voters’ List, and your information is up to date.

Wait for your Voter Information Letter to arrive in the mail.

Keep the Voter Information Letter in a safe place until the voting period begins in October 2026

Open your Voter Information Letter and find the PIN number that will let you access the voting system.

If you do not receive your Voter Information Letter in the mail within 3-4 days before the voting period begins, please contact the Municipal Office.

Ready to Vote? Internet Voting

Vote by Internet (takes about 5 minutes)

Visit the voting website provided in your Vote Information Letter by entering the address into the address bar at the top of your internet browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge etc.)

Enter your PIN (Do not include spaces)

Enter your date of birth

Complete the Captcha challenge as shown on the screen (if required)

Follow the prompts through all contests, through all contests, and complete your ballot by pressing Submit Ballot

Troubleshooting:

Type the voting website into your web browser's address bar which is either at the top or bottom of your web browser (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge, Opera). Typing the website into a search engine browser (such as Google, Bing, or DuckDuckGo) will not get you to our Voting website, it just searches for our voting website (which is unlisted).

If you receive an error that your credentials are invalid this usually occurs because your birth date on the Voters’ List is either incorrect, or incomplete. Try reversing your month and day if your day of birth is 12 or less (e.g. switching January 2, to February 1, 01-02 to 02-01). If this tip works, please email us so we can correct your birth date for the next Municipal Election.

Do not include any spaces in your PIN when typing it into the system.

Disable any VPN system you may have on your device, and/or try using another Internet Browser (Such as Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Apple Safari, or Mozilla Firefox), or another internet connection (such as using cellular data instead of WIFI).

Ready to Vote? Telephone Voting

Vote by Telephone (takes about 10 minutes – Do not hang up until you have voted for all races)

Dial the phone number using a touch-tone phone or smartphone;

Enter your PIN (Do not include spaces)

Enter your date of birth using the format described

Listen carefully to all of the prompts for the voting;

Your vote will be counted after voting for all the races on your ballot (e.g. Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Councillor x 3, School Board Trustee)

If you are concerned that your ballot may not have been counted, you can attempt to call in a second time with your PIN. If your vote has been properly submitted originally, the system will advise that you have already voted.

AMO - Information for Candidates

Nominations open May 1. Click here for a link to AMO's Events Calendar.

As Ontario prepares for the October 2026 municipal elections, AMO is offering a dynamic lineup of information sessions and workshops to support aspiring candidates and current elected officials.

Whether you're planning your first campaign, seeking re-election, representing an underrepresented community, or stepping forward as a young candidate, these programs are designed to meet you where you are - and help you move forward with confidence.

Find the right workshop for you.

Stronger Leaders, Stronger Communities

Session 1 - June 16 - 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m.

Session 2 - June 23 - 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Session 3 - June 25 - 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Session 4 - June 30 - 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

This engaging four-part online series is designed for first-time candidates preparing to run in the 2026 municipal elections.

Participants will build the skills, resilience, and confidence needed to lead in today’s municipal environment through sessions focused on finding your purpose, managing conflict and building effective relationships, prioritizing mental health and wellbeing, and turning values into action through movement-building.

Workshop for Underrepresented Candidates

June 9 - 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Led by former municipal leaders, this session provide practical guidance and insider perspectives for those from underrepresented communities, while remaining open to all participants.

The workshop explore what it takes to become a candidate, key strategies for running a successful campaign, how to develop effective messaging, and ways to use community engagement to build visibility and support.

Youth Information Sessions

June 2 - 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Facilitated by currently elected officials, these sessions are designed to empower young people considering public office.

Participants will gain insight into what it’s like to run for office as a young candidate, learn how to build a strong campaign, understand candidate requirements, and explore effective approaches to voter engagement.

Urban Indigenous Peoples’ Information Sessions

Facilitated by Indigenous leaders with firsthand electoral experience, these sessions will provide insights and strategies to build your understanding and confidence around how to become a candidate and run a campaign.

Gain insight into what it’s like to run for municipal office as an urban Indigenous leader, explore key strategies for building a strong campaign, understand the requirements to become a candidate, and learn approaches to lead with cultural integrity and community connection.

Lead Where You Live is AMO’s comprehensive guide for anyone considering running in the 2026 municipal election. This resource walks you through what municipal councils do, what it means to serve your community, and the steps involved in launching a successful campaign. Whether you’re exploring the idea or preparing to file your nomination, this guide provides practical information, tools, and insights to support your journey.

Through the Healthy Democracy Solutions Bank, AMO has developed a Candidate Resource Catalogue for candidates running for municipal office. Resources range from helping you make the decision to run or run again, to building your team, crafting your message, and getting out the vote.

AMO's Free Workshop Series and Leadership Programs

AMO is offering programs designed to support aspiring candidates and returning elected officials. Whether you are considering your first run for office, seeking re-election, represent an underrepresented community, or a youth, we have a program tailored for you. View details of the free workshops below. Currently in development is a session for Indigenous candidates-stay tuned for more information.

AMO's Healthy Democracy Leadership Series: Supporting Local Leadership in run up to the 2026 Municipal Elections

Information for Candidates

Candidate nominations open May 1, 2026. Candidate packages will be available as of May 1.

Check back beginning May 1, 2026 for the list of Candidates as they sign up.

Running for municipal or school board office is an opportunity to bring your experience and ideas to the table and help move your community forward.

Municipal councils and school boards benefit from people of all ages, professions and lived experiences who are willing to listen, learn and lead. If you are passionate about your community and ready to contribute, you may already have what it takes to run.

This page is your starting point. Here you’ll find information about who can run, what to expect as a candidate, important dates and deadlines, and how to file a nomination.

Eligibility

To qualify as a candidate you must be, on the day that you file your nomination:

A Canadian citizen

At least 18 years old

A resident of the Township of Stirling-Rawdon; or

A non-resident of the Township of Stirling-Rawdon and you or your spouse owns or rents property in the Township;

In the case of school boards, a resident of the area of jurisdiction of the school board;

Not ineligible under the Municipal Election Act, Education Act or any other act or otherwise prohibited by law to be nominated for or to hold the office.

Who cannot be a candidate?

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 they take an unpaid leave of absence beginning the day they are nominated and resign 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; or

A candidate who failed to file the necessary financial statement(s) in the last municipal election or by-election.

Third Party Advertisers

Since the 2018 Municipal Election, there is now a requirement for all Third Party Advertisers to register with the Municipal Clerk. Please review the information below and the Ministry of Municipal Affairs Guide to Third Party Advertisers.

Definition

A third party advertisement is an advertisement in any broadcast, print, electronic or other medium that promotes, supports or opposes a candidate, or a “yes” or “no” answer to a question on the ballot. Advertisement includes traditional ads as well as materials such as brochures or signs. This does not include advertisements by or under the direction of a candidate.

All individuals, corporations and trade unions must register before incurring any expense related to third party advertisements. October 23, 2026 is last day to register.

Exclusions from Third Party Advertising

Activities that do not involve spending money, such as discussions or expressing an opinion about a candidate are not considered to be third party advertising. Examples include:

speaking to friends and neighbours;

posting on social media, such as Twitter, Facebook or Instagram;

sending an email to a group or mailing list

Internal communications from an employer to their employees, a corporation to its shareholders, directors, members or employees or by a trade union to its members or employees are not considered to be third party advertising.

Advertising about an issue, rather than a candidate is not considered third party advertising. For example, signs saying “Support local businesses” or “Keep the waterfront green” would not be third party advertising, even if a candidate has made those issues part of their campaign.

Becoming a Third Party Advertiser

Ontario residents, corporations and trade unions that will incur expenses for advertisements related to the promotion, support or opposition of a candidate in any broadcast, print, electronic, or other medium must register as a third party advertiser. They can begin filing their Notice of Registration on Friday, May 1, 2026, by appointment only. The last day to register as a Third Party Advertiser is Friday, October 23, 2026.