To access the Municipal Elections Act click here.
Elections
2026 Municipal Election Procedure
Click the Clerk's Procedure for the full scope of the 2026 Municipal Election Procedure:
2026 Billings Clerks Procedures
Method: Mail-in-Ballot
Voting Day: October 26, 2026. The Municipal Office will remain open for voters until the cut off time at 8:00 pm.
Declaration of results: As soon as possible after election day
Ballot Return Station: Municipal Office, 15 Old Mill Road, Kagawong ON P0P 1J0
Ballots can be mailed back or drop off in person at the Municipal Office.
Final Day to mail back the ballot package: October 15, 2026
Electors who have not mailed their ballot package by that date are encouraged to take steps to ensure alternate delivery to the Municipal Office during regular office hours or up to 8:00 p.m. on Voting Day. All electors on the Voters' List up to and including, will receive a Voter's Kit by mail from the Township's election service provider.
Ballot Counting Location: Park Centre, 34 Henry Drive, Kagawong ON P0P 1J0
Voter's Kit:
- Voting Instruction Sheet
- Composite Ballot
- Ballot Secrecy Envelope
- Return Envelope
- Voter Declaration Form
- Such other material as the Clerk deems necessary
If an elector does not receive a Voter's Kit, or if the Kit is lost or destroyed, the elector may attend at the municipal office to obtain a replacement Kit. The Clerk will confirm that the elector is qualified, administer the appropriate oath, and issue the replacement Voter's Kit.
Where a Voter's Kit is returned by Canada Post as "undeliverable", reasonable attempts will be made to obtain the elector's address or to advise the elector that the Voter's Kit was returned.
Council of the Township of BiIlings has enacted By-law 2026-18 authorizing the use of Vote by Mail as an alternative voting method which eliminates the need for advanced voting and proxy voting.
Roles and Responsibilities
Clerk (Returning Officer)
- Overall authority for election conduct
- Establishes and enforces procedures
- Final decision on ballot validity
Election Officials
- Appointed in writing
- Must take oath
- Perform assigned duties only
Deputy Returning Officer (DRO)
- Supervises ballot processing and count
- Makes decisions on ballot acceptance/rejection
USE OF MUNICIPAL RESOURCES
Municipal Elections Act, 1996 section 88.18
Municipal resources shall not be used for any election campaign purposes, the Township’s Policy is set out in By-Law #2026-19 attached under Schedule A. 2026 19 Use Of Municipal Resources During An Election
Emergencies
In the event of any condition of an emergency or circumstance that will undermine the integrity of the election, the Clerk may declare an emergency and make any arrangements as are considered necessary for the conduct of the election.
For the purposes of these procedures, an emergency may include, but is not limited to, disruptions to mail delivery, natural disasters, significant service interruptions, or any circumstance that may affect the integrity or administration of the election. In such cases, the Clerk may implement adjustments to procedures or timelines as necessary and shall document any actions taken.
OFFICIAL LIST OF CANDIDATES - 2026 Municipal Election
Municipal Election is on October 26, 2026.
Municipal and School Board Elections in Ontario are held every four years on the fourth Monday of October. The upcoming Municipal Election will be held Monday, October 26, 2026.
NOTICE is hereby given to the Municipal Electors of the Township of Billings that Nominations may be filed for the offices listed below.
Nomination can be made by completing and filling in the prescribed Nomination Form available at your municipal Clerk’s Office. Nomination forms must be filled, either in person or by your agent with the Returning Officer of the appropriate municipality during their normal office hours, between May 1, 2026 to August 20th, 2026, and between 9:00a.m. and 2:00p.m. on Friday, August 21, 2026 (Nomination Day)
The required filing fee for the Head of Council is $200.00 and for all other offices $100.00 (cash, certified cheque or money order payable to the appropriate municipality or by electronic method of payment that the Clerk specifies). It must accompany the signed form. Full details on the procedures to be followed may be obtained from the appropriate Municipal Clerk.
A nomination must be certified by the Clerk before such person becomes a certified candidate for the office to which she or he is nominated.
For school board trustee purposes, the nominations shall be submitted to the Clerk of the municipality having the largest population of the relevant electoral group residing in the geographic area serves by the school board. For Billings Township, this is Northeastern Manitoulin and the Islands (NEMI)
|
Mayor |
One (1) to be elected by all voters in the municipality |
|
Councillor |
Four (4) to be elected by all voters in the municipality |
|
School Board Trustee |
One (1) to be elected by all voters per School Board District |
Municipal Elections – Township of Billings
Election Overview
The next municipal election for the Township of Billings will be held on October 26, 2026
Municipal elections are conducted in accordance with the Municipal Elections Act, 1996. Voters will elect:
Mayor (1)
Councillors (4)
School Board Trustee
Key Dates
|
Milestone |
Date |
|
Nomination Period Opens |
May 1st, 2026 |
|
Nomination Deadline (2:00 p.m.) |
August 21, 2026 |
|
Certification of Candidates |
August 24, 2026 |
|
Voting Day |
October 26, 2026 |
|
Results Certified |
October 27, 2026 |
For Candidates
Eligibility to Run
You may run for municipal office if you are:
- A Canadian citizen;
- At least 18 years old;
- A resident, owner, or tenant of land in the Township (or their spouse);
- Not disqualified under the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 or any other law.
Filing a Nomination
To become a candidate, you must file:
- Nomination Form (Form 1)
- Filing fee:
- Mayor: $200
- Councillor: $100
- Nominations must be filed in person or by appointment with the Clerk.
- Nomination Form
Candidate Responsibilities
- Candidates are responsible for:
- Understanding campaign finance rules;
- Filing financial statements by the required deadline;
- Complying with all applicable legislation and by-laws.
Certified Candidates
A list of certified candidates will be posted following the close of nominations.
Information is provided as filed with the Clerk and is subject to change.
All candidates will be required to file financial statement after the election using the following form:
Financial Statement (Form 4)
Details on how to file your financial statement is available in the Candidate’s Guide from the Province https://www.ontario.ca/files/2026-03/mmah-2026-candidates-guide-en-2026-03-31.pdf
A Candidate Guide is also available from the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) at the link below:
Third-Party Advertisers
Individuals, corporations, and unions wishing to support a candidate may register as third-party advertisers.
Registration details and requirements will be provided in accordance with the Municipal Elections Act, 1996.
Accessibility
The Township of Billings is committed to conducting an accessible election.
Information on accessible voting options and assistance will be made available prior to Voting Day.
Contact the Clerk
For more information or to file nomination papers:
Clerk’s Office
Township of Billings
15 Old Mill Rd,
Kagawong, ON P0P 1J0
705-282-2611 x223
cao@billingstwp.ca
Disclaimer
This page is provided for convenience only. Users should refer to the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 and applicable regulations for complete details.