Candidate Information

Candidate Information Night

On March 26, 2026, the Township of East Zorra-Tavistock, in partnership with Oxford County municipalities, hosted a Candidate Information Meeting in preparation for the 2026 Municipal and School Board Election. The session provided prospective and returning candidates, as well as the public, with information on council roles, eligibility, nominations, and campaign finance rules. Presentations were delivered by the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing and municipal consultant Nigel Bellchamber, with both in-person and virtual participation available. Copies of the presentation material are available below:

Watch the Candidate Information Meeting.

Candidate's Package

Candidate Election Forms and Resources will be available shortly.

All candidates are required to review the Information and Nomination Package.

To run for mayor or councillor you must be:

A Canadian citizen
At least 18 years of age
A resident of the Township of East Zorra-Tavistock, or
An owner or tenant of land in the Township of East Zorra-Tavistock, or the spouse of the owner or tenant
Not legally prohibited from voting
Not disqualified by any legislation from holding municipal office

The following people are disqualified from being elected as mayor or councillor:

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
A candidate who failed to file the necessary financial statement or exceeded the prescribed spending limit in the last municipal election or by-election

To become a candidate in the 2026 municipal election, you must file your nomination in person with the Township Clerk.

The nomination period is between May 1, 2026 and August 21, 2026 ending at 2:00pm.

Nominations can be filed in-person at the Township Administration Building (89 Loveys Street, Hickson, Ontario).

To file a nomination, you must provide:

A completed Nomination Paper - Form 1
At least 25 Declaration of Endorsements - Form 2
Acceptable Identification
Nomination filing fee (paid by cash, credit or debit card, certified cheque or money order, payable to ‘Township of East Zorra-Tavistock’)
- $200 for candidates running for Mayor
- $100 for candidates running for all other Council positions
Completed Consent to Release Personal Information Form

Please note that original signatures are required on all forms. Any documents that are not complete will not be accepted.

If an agent is filing a nomination on behalf of a candidate, the agent must provide the above documents as well as their own identification.

If you no longer wish to run for office in the 2026 Municipal Election, you must: