Elections

The right to vote is fundamental in our democracy. The powers and decisions made by Grey Highlands Council affect the day-to-day lives of all residents in our community.

In Grey Highlands, you will be voting for the following offices:

• Mayor (1)
• Deputy Mayor (1)
• Council members (5)
• School Board Trustee

The Municipality of Grey Highlands will be proceeding with an online Election for the 2026 Municipal Election. This will include members of the public having the ability to vote from the comfort of their homes or coming to a municipal facility during allotted times to vote.

All eligible electors on the Voter's List will receive a Voter Information Letter around the first week of October with instructions on voting. 

The Municipal Clerk is responsible for the Municipal and School Board elections every four years, and any by-elections as required, under the authority of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, as amended (MEA). We are dedicated to ensuring that the election process is consistent with the principles of the MEA.

The following seven principles guide the Municipal Elections:

• The secrecy and confidentiality of the voting process is paramount;
• The election shall be fair and non-biased;
• The election shall be accessible to the electors;
• The integrity of the voting process shall be maintained throughout the election;
• There is to be certainty that the results of the election reflect the votes cast;
• Electors and candidates shall be treated fairly and consistently within a municipality; and
• The proper majority vote governs by ensuring that valid votes be counted, and that invalid votes be rejected so far as is reasonably possible.

The Municipality of Grey Highlands will be providing the 2026 Election via internet/online voting. During the voting period, electors will be able to vote remotely using their own devices in the comfort of their homes or at one of the municipally run election centres where electronic devices will be available for voting. 

Internet voting is safe, easy and convenient, removing time and travel barriers and improving access for everyone, including people with disabilities, people who are ill or people who are away from home, allowing more people to participate in municipal elections.

To add your name to the voters' list or update your information, please visit the Elections Ontario Portal. You will need one piece of ID that has both your name and Ontario home address.

Am I eligible to vote?

• You are a Canadian citizen and at least 18 years old and not prohibited from voting under subsection 17 (3) of MEA; and
• You reside in GH; or
• You own or are a renter of a property in GH; or
• You are the spouse of someone who owns or rents property in GH

Who is not allowed to vote?

• A person who is serving a sentence of imprisonment in a penal or correctional institution cannot vote.
• A corporation is not entitled to a vote.
• A person acting as executor or trustee in any other representative capacity cannot vote, except as a voting proxy in accordance with section 44 of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996.
• A person who was convicted of a corrupt practice described in subsection 90 (3), of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, cannot vote if voting day in the current election is less than five years after voting day in the election in respect of which he or she was convicted.

If I own more than one property in Grey Highlands can I vote more than once?

No, each person is entitled to only one vote, no matter how many properties they own in Grey Highlands. If you don't live in Grey Highlands but own property here, you are entitled to vote.  

University and College Students

Section 2 (2.1) of the MEA allows post-secondary students to vote in both the municipal election where they are attending school and the municipal election in their "home" municipality, provided they are residing in another municipality to attend a post-secondary institution and intend to return to their "home" municipality at the conclusion of their studies.