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.

• May 1: Nomination period begins for Candidates, and Third Party Advertisers can begin to register.
• August 21 at 2 p.m.: Nomination Day (i.e. nomination period ends)
• October 20 to 26: Voting Period
• October 23: Last day for Third Party Advertisers to register.
• October 26: Voting Day
• November 15: Next term of office begins
• November 23: Inaugural meeting of Council
• December 31: End of Campaign financial reporting period
• March 30, 2027, by 2 p.m.: Deadline for Candidates to file financial statements.

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 eligible to vote if you live in Grey Highlands (either as a tenant or property owner) or y​our spouse lives in Grey Highlands.  You also must be a Canadian citizen, at least 18 years old and not prohibited from voting under subsection 17 (3) of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 (see below).

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.  

Running for Council

Are you Eligible to be a candidate?

• You must be a Canadian citizen
• You must be 18 or older
• You must qualify as a resident or non-resident elector

Who is not eligible?

The following people are disqualified from being elected to municipal office:

• any person who is not eligible to vote in the municipality
• an employee of a municipality who has not taken an unpaid leave of absence and resigned (see above)
• a judge of any court
• an MP, an MPP or a senator
• an inmate serving a sentence in a penal or correctional institution

Nomination Period

• Opens, May 1, 2026
• Nomination Day August 21st at 2:00 pm (nomination period ends)