Elections

You have the right to vote in municipal elections if on election day: 

1. You are a Canadian citizen.
2. You are at least 18 years old.
3. You reside in, own or are a tenant of land in the Town of The Blue Mountains, or are the spouse of such a person.
4. You are not prohibited from voting according to Section 17 of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 (MEA).

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

View 2026 MMAH Voters' Guide

Ontario Regulation 304/03, Voter Identification from the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 prescribes the list of proof of identity and residence that a person may present for the purposes of the Municipal Elections Act to show the person’s name and qualifying address to be added to the voter’s list. 

For more detailed information of this regulation, please visit O. Reg. 304/13 VOTER IDENTIFICATION on the Province of Ontario's website.

The Town will utilize both internet and telephone voting in the 2026 Municipal and School Board Election. Mail-in and paper ballots will not be used.

Video Help Guide

• 2026 Election Procedures dated April 30, 2026

A Voter Help Centre will be available at The Blue Mountains Town Hall (32 Mill Street, Thornbury) during the Voting Period according to the dates and hours listed below.

• Friday, October 16, 2026 - 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 
• Saturday, October 17, 2026 - 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. 
• Monday, October 19, 2026 - 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. 
• Tuesday, October 20, 2026 - 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. 
• Wednesday, October 21, 2026 - 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. 
• Thursday, October 22, 2026 - 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. 
• Friday, October 23, 2026 - 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. 
• Saturday, October 24, 2026 - 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. 
• Monday, October 26, 2026, 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

At the Voter Help Centre you can: 

• Ask questions
• Register to vote (with proper identification - please see Voter Information/Eligibility)
• Get voting assistance
• Vote independently via internet or telephone

The 2026 Election Accessibility Plan will be posted here once available.

• AMO Hosting Free Campaign Readiness Workshops for 2026 Municipal Election
• Applications Open for Grey County Compliance Audit Committee for the 2026 Municipal Election
• Free Workshop Series & Leadership Programs for the 2026 Municipal Elections
• 2026 Municipal Election Candidate Nomination & Third Party Advertiser Registration
• 2026 Municipal Election Candidate & Third Party Advertiser Information Sessions
• 2026 Municipal Election Notice - School Board Trustees
• 2026 Municipal and School Board Election Information

• Information for Voters - Notice of Municipal Election

Please Note: If any forms do not open in your browser, click the "download" button and attempt to open them from your computer's "Downloads" folder.

• Ontario Municipal Elections Information
• MMAH 2026 Candidates' Guide
• Nomination Paper - Form 1
• Endorsement of Nomination - Form 2
• Financial Statement - Auditor's Report Candidate - Form 4
• Use of Corporate Resources for Election Purposes Policy, POL.COR.18.01

Please Note: If any forms do not open in your browser, click the "download" button and attempt to open them from your computer's "Downloads" folder.

• Ontario Municipal Elections Information
• 2026 Third Party Advertisers' Guide
• Use of Corporate Resources for Election Purposes Policy, POL.COR.18.01
• Form 7 Notice of Registration

1. How to correct an error made on the Nomination Paper?
   If an elector makes a mistake on their nomination signature, is it admissible if they strike the mistake and right the correction nearby?

   ANSWER: The Nomination Paper should be correct when filing. If an elector makes a mistake on their endorsement information, it is recommended that it be struck out and the information correctly stated in the next endorsement box. It is recommended that candidates provide more than the requisite 25 endorsement signatures. 

2. Is an employee of a municipality or local board eligible to be a candidate and be elected as a member or Council or Local Board?

   ANSWER: In accordance with Section 30 of the Municipal Elections Act, an employee of the municipality or a local board is eligible to be a candidate and be elected as a member of the council or local board that is the employer if the employee takes an unpaid leave of absence beginning on the day the employee is nominated and ends on Voting Day, October 26, 2026.   The employee has the right to take the unpaid leave and is required to provide written notice in advance of their intent to take an unpaid leave.   If the employee is elected, they will be deemed to have resigned from their position when they are sworn in on November 16, 2026.  At the time of filing the nomination papers, candidates are asked to swear an affidavit that they are not an employee, or if they are, that they have taken a leave of absence.  For clarity, an employee is required to file their notice of a leave of absence before they file their nomination papers with the Clerks office. 

3. Is a Volunteer Firefighter considered an employee and therefore ineligible to be a candidate for and be elected as a member of Council or Local Board?

   ANSWER: In accordance with the Section 30(7) of the Municipal Elections Act, “a person shall not be considered an employee of a municipality or local board for the purposes of this section by reason only of being a volunteer firefighter as defined in the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997.”
   

4. With respect to the provisions of the “Use of Corporate Resources for Election Purposes, Policy POL.COR.18.01” can a campaign photo be taken with the Town Hall in the background? 
   
   ANSWER:   Taking a campaign photo with the Town Hall in the background is permitted, keeping in mind that, paragraph 1g) of the Policy (provided below for reference) states that the Town logo shall not be included on any election campaign material. 

   1g) Use the Town logo, crest, or corporate program identifiers on any election campaign related material, either printed or on a campaign website. This includes any Town municipal election logo and any related identifiers;
   
   

5. Can a candidate display their campaign signs in the Canada Day parade, ie on a banner on a vehicle in the parade?   

   ANSWER:   The Town’s Sign Bylaw 2016-71, section 3.4(3)(b)(v), notes that “no candidate or registered third party advertiser shall erect or display, or cause to be erected or displayed, any such signs prior to the date which is sixty (60) days before the fixed date for the election”, (no earlier than August 28, 2026).   Election signage (including banners or teardrop-style signs mounted on a vehicle) displayed during the Canada Day Parade on July 1 would not be permitted, as this falls outside the defined 60-day period (commencing August 28, 2026, as noted). 

6. If a candidate decides to run for a different office, is the candidate required to provide an additional 25 endorsement signatures, what is the process?   

   ANSWER:     You can only run for one office at a time. If you decide to run for a different office, your first nomination is deemed to be withdrawn when you file your second nomination.  For an at-large election, the contributions, expenses, etc. from the first campaign is transferred to the second campaign.  The nomination fee is transferred to the second nomination.  If the second nomination is for the office of Mayor, and the first nomination was for Deputy Mayor or Councillor, an additional $100 nomination fee would have to be paid at the time of filing the second nomination (Mayor nomination fee is $200, for all other offices, the nomination fee is $100).   The candidate is NOT required to submit new endorsement signatures, the original 25 endorsement signatures still qualify because the nomination is within the same municipal Council.   See the “2026 Candidates’ Guide – Ontario municipal council and school board elections” for additional information.   

7. The Mayor and Deputy Mayor are appointed to Grey County Council as well?   

   ANSWER:  Yes, the Town of The Blue Mountains Council passed By-law 2005-91 on November 14, 2005 to change the composition of Council.   Council now consists of the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and five Councillors and also provides that the Mayor and Deputy Mayor shall sit as members of the County of Grey Council.   Grey County By-law 4272-05 was passed on December 7, 2005 identifying the Mayor and Deputy Mayor as the Town of The Blue Mountains representatives on County Council.  

8. A Town of The Blue Mountains Councillor is appointed as an Alternate Member to Grey County Council in the absence of the Mayor or Deputy Mayor?   

   ANSWER: Yes, in accordance with the Municipal Act, the Council of a local municipality may appoint one of its members as an alternate member of the upper-tier council, to act in place of the Mayor or Deputy Mayor when absent. The alternate member is selected in accordance with the Town of The Blue Mountains Corporate Policy POL.COR.18.03 Appointment of an Alternate Member of Council to Grey County Council.  

9. I am a Candidate in the Municipal Election and I receive questions from residents regarding a By-Law Enforcement matter, or road maintenance, sidewalk, signage, trails, trees, trails, parks, water or wastewater services provided by the Town.  What can I do?   

   ANSWER: Please encourage the resident to submit an  Online Service Request through the Town website so the request can be reviewed and responded to by Town staff.  Residents can also call the Town Hall and speak with staff regarding Town services to verbally submit a service request for review.   

10. When can Candidates start advertising and what is to be included in the advertisements? 

    ANSWER:  A candidate may generally start campaign advertising once their campaign period has begun, that is, once the Clerk has received their nomination.

    For the 2026 municipal election, nominations opened on May 1, 2026, so a candidate who filed on May 1 could begin advertising from that date after filing. A person who has not yet filed nomination papers should not incur campaign advertising expenses as a candidate before their campaign period begins. The Municipal Elections Act, 1996 prohibits a candidate from incurring expenses outside their election campaign period.

    Candidate campaign advertisements are required to identify the candidate responsible for the advertisement. The Municipal Elections Act does not prescribe specific wording, but the advertisement should clearly show that the advertisement is authorized, paid for, or under the direction of the candidate’s campaign so that electors can tell it is from the candidate’s campaign and not from a third-party advertiser. 

11. I reside in another municipality and my second home in The Blue Mountains is owned by a corporation. I am the principle of the corporation, can I vote in The Blue Mountains? 

    ANSWER:  An individual must personally qualify as an elector. If the home is owned by a corporation, the corporation is the owner, not the individual and corporations are not entitled to vote.   O.Reg 304/13 Voter Identificationspecifies the identification required to vote in a municipal election.  Individuals need to provide a document that shows their identity (i.e. drivers licence), and a document that shows both the individual’s name and their qualifying address in The Blue Mountains.  O.Reg. 304/13 provides the list of acceptable documents, some of which are listed below: 

    • An Ontario driver's licence.  
    • An Ontario Photo Card or Health Card (if it shows name and address).
    • A cancelled personalized cheque.
    • A mortgage statement, lease or rental agreement relating to the property in Ontario.
    • A utility bill for hydro, water, gas, telephone or cable TV, or a bill from a public utilities commission.
    • An insurance policy or insurance statement.
    • A loan agreement or other financial agreement with a financial institution.
    • A document issued by a government body (Canada, Ontario or municipal) that shows your name and qualifying address.
    • A property tax assessment.
    • A credit card statement, bank account statement, or RRSP, RRIF, RHOSP or T5 statement.
    • A document showing residence at a long-term care home issued by the Administrator for the home.

    In summary, if the individual is a qualified elector under the Act (at least 18 years of age, Canadian citizen, and not disqualified from voting under Section 17 of the Act) and they are living in the municipality, or owning or renting property in the municipality, or is the spouse of a person that owns or rents property in the municipality and they are able to produce identification showing their identity AND a document that includes both their name and qualifying address in The Blue Mountains (i.e. utility bill), they would be eligible to vote.

12. I am not on the Voters List and it is after August 12, 2026.   How can I get on the Voters List? 

    ANSWER:   Until August 12, electors are requested to confirm they are on the voters list via https://www.registertovoteon.ca/ .  After September 1, and up until October 26, electors can visit the Town Hall Clerk’s Office, with the required proof of identification and qualifying address to be added to the Voter’s List.

    Those electors that are added to the Voters List on or before September 14 will receive their Voter Information Letter in the mail.  Those electors that attend after September 14 will receive their Voter Information Letter at the time they are added to the Voters List.

    Please refer to pages 28-33 of the  TBM 2026 Municipal and School Board Elections Procedures dated April 30, 2026  that provides various scenarios and provides instructions on how an elector will receive their Voter Information Letter, including in extenuating circumstances.

13. If a person or business wanted to do a mailing encouraging voter registration and no other issue, would they need to become a third party advertiser? 

    ANSWER:   Please note that the Clerk’s Office provides general information regarding the election process and legislative requirements but cannot provide legal advice beyond the applicable statutory requirements.

    Based on the information provided, if the mailing is limited to neutral information and does not promote, support or oppose any candidate, or where applicable a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer to a question on the ballot, would generally not be considered third party advertising under the Municipal Elections Act.  However, if the content, tone, or context of the mailing could be interpreted as encouraging electors to vote for or against a candidate, the individual or corporation should obtain independent legal advice in advance if there is any uncertainty about the content or purpose of the mailing as they may need to register as a third party advertiser before incurring expenses or distributing the material.

    Under the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, an individual or corporation that incurs expenses for third party advertisements during the restricted period for the 2026 regular municipal election (May 1 to October 26) must be registered as a third party advertiser in the municipality. If an individual or corporation incurs expenses for third party advertising without being registered, the individual or corporation may be committing an offence under the Municipal Elections Act.  Individuals and corporations are encouraged to review the Third Party Advertisers Guide 2026 for information and requirements under the Municipal Elections Act, 1996. 

14. I own a second property in the Town of The Blue Mountains and it is registered in my personal name.   How do I register to vote? 

    ANSWER:   There is no requirement to “register” to vote, unless an elector is not on the voters list. Until August 12, electors are requested to confirm they are on the voters list via https://www.registertovoteon.ca/ .  If an elector is not on the list, the elector can proceed through the steps with Elections Ontario to be added to the voters list.  

    After September 1, and up until October 26, electors can visit the Town Hall Clerk’s Office, with the required proof of identification and qualifying address to be added to the Voter’s List.

    Those electors that are added to the Voters List on or before September 14 will receive their Voter Information Letter in the mail.  Those electors that attend after September 14 will receive their Voter Information Letter at the time they are added to the Voters List.

    Please refer to pages 28-33 of the  TBM 2026 Municipal and School Board Elections Procedures dated April 30, 2026  that provides various scenarios and provides instructions on how an elector will receive their Voter Information Letter, including in extenuating circumstances.

15. Is there a date that the number of electors is measured for the weighted vote at Grey County?

    ANSWER:  After voting day, the Clerk of each of the nine lower tier municipalities in Grey County provide the Grey County Clerk, with the “Clerk’s Certificate – Number of Electors” noting the number of electors in each of our respective municipalities on Election Day.   After the Certificates are received, Grey County reviews the Certificates and assigns one vote per every 1000 electors, and part of 1000 electors, and then divides the votes equally among the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of each municipality.   If there is an odd number of votes, the extra vote goes to the Mayor.   This is in keeping with County of Grey Act, 1993.

16. With respect to the 2022 election, how many electors are there in the Craigleith area versus the rest of The Blue Mountains.  What was the number of electors in the 2022 election, and how many ballots were cast for Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillors.   

    ANSWER:  The Town of The Blue Mountains does not have a ward system. Members of Council are elected at large, meaning all eligible electors vote for the same Council positions across the municipality rather than within defined ward boundaries.   As a result, the Town does not compile or report election results, elector counts, or ballots cast by ward or by smaller geographic areas of the municipality. Election information is maintained and reported on a municipality-wide basis, in accordance with the structure of the Town’s electoral system and the requirements of the municipal election process.  The 2022 election results are posted to the Town website, noting the number of eligible electors, total ballots cast, voter turnout, and official election results.  2022 Municipal and School Board Elections

• Ontario Municipal Elections
• Use of Corporate Resources for Election Purposes Policy, POL.COR.18.01
• 2026 MMAH Voters' Guide
• 2026 MMAH Candidates' Guide
• 2026 Third-Party Advertisers' Guide
• Municipal Elections Act
• Municipal Act
• 2026 Lead Where You Live
• Healthy Democracy Leaders Series: Stronger Leaders, Stronger Communities | Association of Municipalities of Ontario
• Running for Municipal Office - Everything You Need to Know as an Underrepresented Candidate | Association of Municipalities of Ontario Workshop
• Youth Considering Running for Municipal Office | Association of Municipalities of Ontario Information Session
• Urban Indigenous Peoples' Considering Running for Municipal Office | Association of Municipalities of Ontario Information Session
• Election Resources: Supporting your Run for Municipal Office in 2026 - Read, Set, Run! Video Series | Association of Municipalities of Ontario 

2026 Election forms will be posted here as they become available.

The Municipal Elections Act, 1996, requires that all municipalities appoint a Compliance Audit Committee. The municipalities of Grey County established a Joint Compliance Audit Committee in 2022 for the purposes of receiving and making decisions on applications for compliance audits. 

Compliance Audit Requests

If a qualified elector believes on reasonable grounds that a candidate has contravened the Municipal Elections Act relating to election campaign finances, they can make an application for a compliance audit, which will then be considered by the Compliance Audit Committee.

To apply for a compliance audit for a candidate or registered third party advertiser:

1. Complete the Compliance Audit Request Form
2. Submit the form and any supporting documents in person at 32 Mill Street, Thornbury to the Town Clerk, by the deadlines indicated below.

The Town Clerk must receive the compliance audit application by the following dates:

• For the initial financial filing deadline of March 31, 2023 the Town Clerk must receive the compliance audit application form by June 29, 2023;
• For the financial statement filed during the 30-day grace period or a court-ordered extension the Town Clerk must receive the compliance audit application within 90 days of the extension filing date.

Compliance Audit Committee

The municipalities of Grey County have established a joint committee of members who serve on retainer and from whom sub-committees will be established to address each application for a compliance audit and each instance of identified over-contribution. The Town's Council appointed the Compliance Audit Committee on September 26, 2022.

To view the Committee's Terms of Reference, please click here. 

Joint Compliance Audit Committee Recruitment Advertisement

Grey County Compliance Audit Committee Terms of Reference

Compliance Audit Committee – Rules of Procedure

Grey County Compliance Audit Committee Application Form

Provincial Elections are run by Elections Ontario. For information about Provincial Elections in Ontario please visit the Elections Ontario website.

Federal Elections are run by Elections Canada. For information about Federal Elections in Canada please visit the Elections Canada website.

Candidates & Results

• View 2022 Municipal Election Results
• View 2022 School Board Trustee Results
• View Certified List of Candidates
• View 2022 Unofficial Election Results
• View 2022 Unofficial Election Results Turnout

Financial Statements

All financial statements regarding the 2022 Municipal Election will be posted below. Documents can be made accessible upon request.

• Form 4 - Joe Halos, Mayoral Candidate
• Form 4 - Elizabeth Marshall, Mayoral Candidate
• Form 4 - Andrea Matrosovs, Mayoral Candidate
• Form 4 - Tony Poole,  Mayoral Candidate
• Form 4, Peter Bordignon, Deputy Mayor Candidate
• Form 4- Gail Ardiel, Councillor Candidate
• Form 4 - Paula Hope, Councillor Candidate
• Form 4 - Alex Maxwell, Councillor Candidate
• Form 4 - Shawn McKinlay, Councillor Candidate
• Form 4 - June Porter, Councillor Candidate
• Form 4- James (Jim) Ross, Councillor Candidate
• Jennifer Seymour, Councillor Candidate
  • Notice of Default - Candidate Form EL43(A)

Other Documents

• 2022 Election Alternative Voting Methods Procedure
• 2022 Election Accessibility Plan
• By-law 2022-69 Amended Appointment of Grey County Compliance Audit Committee for the 2022 to 2026 Term of Council

Grey County Compliance Audit Committee Meeting dated June 1, 2023

• Agenda dated June 1, 2023
• Clerk's Report to the Compliance Audit Committee
• Minutes dated June 1, 2023
• Decision of the Compliance Audit Committee

Candidates & Results

• View Certified List of Candidates 
• View 2018 Municipal Election Results 
• View 2018 French Public, Conseil scolaire Viamonde School Board Trustee Election Results

Financial Statements

For more information on the 2018 financial statements, please click on the links below: 

• Form 4 - Gail Ardiel, Mayor Candidate
• Form 4 - Alar Soever, Mayor Candidate
• Form 4 - David Wilding-Davies, Mayor Candidate
• Form 4 - Odette Bartnicki, Deputy Mayor Candidate
• Form 4 - Michael Martin, Deputy Mayor Candidate
• Form 4 - Paul Mitchell, Deputy Mayor Candidate
• Form 4 - Peter Bordignon, Councillor Candidate
• Form 4 - Paula Hope, Councillor Candidate
• Form 4 - Andrea Matrosovs, Councillor Candidate
• Form 4 - Alex Maxwell, Councillor Candidate
• Form 4 - Terrence Pettit, Councillor, Candidate
• Form 4 - June Porter, Councillor Candidate
• Form 4 - Rob Potter, Councillor Candidate
• Form 4 - Rob Sampson, Councillor Candidate
• Form 4 - Jim Uram, Councillor Candidate
• Form 4 - John White, Councillor Candidate