Candidate Information
Candidate Information
Candidate's Package
The 2026 Candidate Information and Nomination Package is now available. This package includes the required information and nomination forms for municipal council. Printed copies are available at the Township Administration Building.
All candidates are required to review the Information and Nomination Package.
View the Candidate Election Forms and Resources page for more information.
Notice of Nomination for Office
View the Notice of Nomination for Office
Nomination Process
Nominations will be accepted from Monday, May 1, 2026 to Friday, August 19, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.
Individuals wishing to file their nomination for the 2026 Municipal Election are strong encouraged to book an appointment with the Clerk. While walk-ins will be accommodated whenever possible, appointments will take priority, and the Township cannot guarantee that staff will be available to process a nomination without one. To ensure timely service, please contract the Clerk's Office to schedule your appointment.
Nominations must be filed in person at the Township of East Zorra-Tavistock Administration Building (89 Loveys Street, Hickson) by the candidate or the candidate's agent, Monday through Friday, from 8:30am to 4:30pm.
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.
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:
- File the Withdrawal of Nomination Form in-person
- Provide acceptable identification
- File a Financial Statement by the deadline