Election
The Township of Wellesley is governed by a Council of five members - a mayor and four councillors. The mayor is elected at-large while the Councillors are elected by Ward every four years. The current term of Council is from November 15, 2022 to November 14, 2026 with the next election scheduled to take place on Monday, October 26, 2026 and the new term of Council beginning November 15, 2026.
2026 Municipal & School Board Election – How You’ll Vote
The next municipal and school board election will take place on Monday, October 26, 2026.
For this election, the Township of Wellesley will be using Internet Voting only. This means:
-
Vote anytime, anywhere – You’ll be able to cast your ballot online from your computer, tablet, or smartphone.
-
10 full days to vote – Voting will open 10 days before Election Day and remain available 24/7 until polls close on October 26th.
-
Easy to use & secure – Step-by-step guides, online tutorials, and support from Township staff will be available.
-
Help Centres – Visit our Election Help Centre at the Township Office (and possibly other local venues in each ward) if you’d like in-person assistance or to use a voting kiosk.
What’s changing?
-
Telephone voting will not be offered in 2026.
-
Paper ballots will not be available at any time or location.
More details, including voting instructions and support resources, will be shared closer to the election.
2022 Municipal and School Board Election
Candidate Financial Statement Filing
Votes Cast by Ward
|
Ward |
Eligible Electors |
Votes Cast |
Turnout |
|
Ward 1 |
1,290 |
112 |
8.68% |
|
Ward 2 |
1,612 |
157 |
9.74% |
|
Ward 3 |
3,243 |
1,011 |
31.17% |
|
Ward 4 |
2,257 |
749 |
33.19% |
|
Total |
8,402 |
2,029 |
24.15% |
Votes Cast by Method
|
Ward |
Votes Cast by Internet |
Votes Cast by Telephone |
|
Ward 1 |
108 |
4 |
|
Ward 2 |
135 |
22 |
|
Ward 3 |
945 |
66 |
|
Ward 4 |
685 |
64 |
|
Total |
1,873 |
156 |
Votes Cast by Date
|
Date |
Votes Cast |
|
Friday, October 14, 2022 |
166 |
|
Saturday, October 15, 2022 |
103 |
|
Sunday, October 16, 2022 |
85 |
|
Monday, October 17, 2022 |
161 |
|
Tuesday, October 18, 2022 |
101 |
|
Wednesday, October 19, 2022 |
125 |
|
Thursday, October 20, 2022 |
111 |
|
Friday, October 21, 2022 |
128 |
|
Saturday, October 22, 2022 |
80 |
|
Sunday, October 23, 2022 |
218 |
|
Monday, October 24, 2022 |
751 |
Voter Demographics - Age
|
Age |
Eligible Electors |
Votes Cast |
Turnout Within Age |
|
18 - 29 |
1,385 |
145 |
10.47% |
|
30 - 39 |
1,605 |
243 |
15.14% |
|
40 - 49 |
1,451 |
355 |
24.47% |
|
50 - 59 |
1,367 |
393 |
28.75% |
|
60 - 69 |
1,278 |
496 |
38.81% |
|
70 - 79 |
721 |
312 |
43.27% |
|
80 - 89 |
276 |
75 |
27.17% |
|
90 - 99 |
49 |
10 |
20.41% |
The nomination period for the 2022 Municipal Election closed on August 19, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. On August 22, 2022, the Clerk reviewed and certified all nominations in compliance with the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 and posted the Official List of Certified Candidates
Section 88.34 of the Municipal Elections Act requires the Clerk to review all contributions reported on candidates' financial statements and report on any contributions that appear to have exceeded contribution limits.
The listing below shows the status of all Candidates and their contact information.
Mayor (1 to be elected)
|
Candidates |
Contact Information |
|
Joe Nowak (acclaimed) |
519-656-2466 |
Ward 1 Councillor (1 to be elected)
|
Candidates |
Contact Information |
|
Shelley Wagner (acclaimed) |
Ward 2 Councillor (1 to be elected)
|
Candidates |
Contact Information |
|
Lori Sebben (acclaimed) |
519-504-7707 |
Ward 3 Councillor (1 to be elected)
|
Candidates |
Contact Information |
|
Mary Lichty |
519-504-6761 |
|
Derek Brick |
226-753-5823 |
Ward 4 Councillor (1 to be elected)
|
Candidates |
Contact Information |
|
Robert Caskanette |
519-584-5066 |
|
Claude Hergott |
519-897-0080 |
Office of the Regional Chair (1 to be elected)
This office represents the Regional Chair of the Regional Municipality of Waterloo. Please see the Region of Waterloo website for more information.
Trustee - Waterloo Region District School Board (1 to be elected)
This office represents the Wellesley and Woolwich Trustee of the Waterloo Region District School Board (English Public School Board). Nomination papers are filed at the Township of Woolwich, please see the Township of Woolwich website for more information.
Trustee - Waterloo Catholic District School Board (2 to be elected)
This office represents the Waterloo/Wellesley/Woolwich Trustee of the Waterloo Catholic District School Board (English Separate School Board). Nomination papers are filed at the City of Waterloo, see the City of Waterloo website for more information.
Trustee - Conseil Scolaire Viamonde (1 to be elected)
This office represents the Huron, Middlesex, Perth, Waterloo, Wellington Trustee of the Conseil Scolaire Viamonde (French Public School Board). Nomination paper are files at the City of London, see the City of London website for more information.
Trustee - Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir (1 to be elected)
This office represents the Waterloo Region-Brant-Haldimand-Norfolk Trustee of the Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir (French Separate School Board). Nomination papers are filed at the City of Kitchener, see the City of Kitchener website for more information.
Nominations and Registration
The Nomination Period for the 2022 Municipal Election begins on May 2, 2022. Nominations will occur by appointment only. To make an appointment, please contact the Clerks Department by email or by phone at 519-699-3946. The deadline to file a nomination is August 19, 2022 at 2:00p.m.
For more information, please see the 2022 Municipal Election Procedure Manual (Rev. 1) and the Ministry of Municipal Affairs' 2022 Candidates' Guide
Nomination Paper Form 1Candidates
Endorsement of Nomination Form 2 endorsed by 25 people eligible to vote for the office – Candidates
Notice of Registration Form 7 Third Party Advertisers
2022 Candidates’ Guide Ontario Municipal Council and School Board Elections
2022 Third Party Advertisers Guide
Offices
Every four years, in accordance with the Municipal Elections Act, the Township Clerk, acting as Returning Officer, conducts elections for the offices of:
- Mayor (1 at large)
- Councillors (1 from each of the 4 wards)
- Regional Chair, file with the Region of Waterloo
- School Trustees for:
- Waterloo Region District School Board (1) - English Public, Trustees file with the Township of Woolwich
- Waterloo Catholic District School Board (2) - English Separate, Trustees file with the City of Waterloo
- Conseil scolaire Viamonde (1) - French Public, Trustees file with the City of London
- Conseil Scolaire de District Catholique MonAvenir (1) - French Catholic, Trustees file in the City of Kitchener
Candidates Qualifications
Candidates must be eligible to vote in the Township of Wellesley to run for Council on the day their nomination is filed. Candidates may run in any ward in the Township.
Campaign Finances
Once a Candidate is nominated or a Third Party Advertiser is registered, there are several rules and duties that must be followed related to campaign finances. These rules apply even if a Candidate is acclaimed or withdraws their nomination.
Please review the 2022 Municipal Election Procedure Manual and the Municipal Election Act, 1996 carefully and understand these responsibilities. Penalties are serious for violating campaign finance rules.
Election Campaign
The campaign period started on the day each candidate files their nomination and generally end December 31. Candidates can only campaign, advertise, spend money, and accept contributions (including money, goods, or services) during this period.
For more information, please see the:
- 2022 Municipal Election Procedure Manual, and
- 2022 Candidates' Guide: Ontario Municipal Council and School Board Elections
Candidate Information Sessions
- "Somebody Should Do Something: Run for Office": April 21, 2022 at 6:30p.m. - Video
- "So You Want to Run For Council": May 4, 2022 at 6:30p.m.
Election Accessibility Plan
This plan is for use in the 2022 Municipal Election in conjunction with the Municipality’s current Multi-Year Accessibility Plan and Policy 2018-2022.
Election Accessibility Plan 2022 Municipal Election
Input and Feedback
The Clerk encourages input and feedback to further enhance election accessibility. If you feel you have identified a barrier, have a recommendation to improve accessibility for the upcoming election, or have any other election feedback, please contact us using the contacts below.
Voter Qualifications
You are able to vote in the 2022 Municipal Election if you:
- are a Canadian Citizen,
- are at least 18 years old,
- live in the Township of Wellesley, or are the owner or tenant of land in Wellesley, or the spouse of such a person, and
- are not otherwise prohibited from voting.
For more information on the 2022 Municipal Election, please see the 2022 Voters' Guide, Ontario Municipal Council and School Board Elections.
Are you on the Voters' List?
To ensure your information is correctly reflected on the Voters' List, please visit the VoterLookup website.
If you've moved in the last several years, you may need to update your information in order to vote. Save time during the voting period by checking your information now.
MPAC Voter Lookup
The Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) is responsible for collecting the information of residents in Ontario (name, date of birth, citizenship and school support) in order to create a Preliminary List of Electors for municipal and school board elections. Municipalities will use the Preliminary List of Electors to prepare their Voters Lists for the 2022 Municipal and School Board Elections.
One of the ways MPAC collects this information is through voterlookup.ca. Here, Ontarians can add their name and the names of other members of their household to a secure database and confirm or update their information.
This helps ensure that each municipality has the most accurate information possible for the 2022 Municipal and School Board Elections.
Take a few minutes to verify your information at voterlookup.ca and encourage your friends and family to do the same.
Voter Help Centre
Voting Day for the 2022 Municipal Election is Monday, October 24, 2022. The Township of Wellesley has established a 10 day Voting Period held from Friday, October 14, 2022 at 10:00a.m. to Monday, October 24, 2022 at 8:00p.m.
During the Voting Period a Voter Help Centre will be designated at the Township Administration Office located at 4639 Lobsinger Line, St. Clements. The Voter Help Centre will be available during regular office hours of Monday to Friday from 8:30a.m. to 4:30p.m., additional extended hours will be as follows;
- Tuesday, October 18, 4:30p.m. to 6:00p.m.
- Thursday, October 20, 2022, 4:30p.m. to 6:00p.m.
- Saturday, October 22, 2022, 10:00a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
- Voting Day, Monday, October 24, 8:30 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Eligible electors are able to vote anytime during the Voting Period from anywhere they can access a telephone or internet connection. Voters will need their year of birth, Voter ID and PIN to vote, this information is included in the Voter Information Letter mailed to voters in early October 2022.
Each voter accepts an Oath of Qualification in order for the system to provide their ballot. The ballot shows the race (the position you are voting for), the maximum number of selections, and a list of candidates to choose from. Acclaimed Candidates (where a candidate is the only one in a race) are not on the ballot. You cannot vote for more than the maximum number of candidates, but you are able to cast a blank ballot or cast a ballot where one or more races are blank.
for more information on voting procedures, view the 2022 Municipal Election Procedure Manual.
Voter Security
Wellesley Township will never call or email you asking for your Voter ID or PIN.
To ensure secrecy, confidentiality and privacy while voting, please:
- ensure no one else is listening on the same phone line while voting, and
- do not use public WiFi if you are unfamiliar with the security settings.
Internet and Telephone Voting - 2022 Municipal Election
On April 13th, 2021, the Council of the Township of Wellesley passed a motion to proceed with an alternate voting method. At the April 27th, 2021 Council Meeting a by-law was passed by Council determining the Internet and Telephone voting method.
The internet voting method has been available to municipalities for more than 15 years and allows voters to access the voting process from anywhere in the world, 24 hours a day, for as long as the voting period is open. Telephone voting is comparable to telephone banking and is like internet voting, but voters make their selections by touchtone phone. Telephone voting is not compatible with rotary phones.
Candidate Information Sessions
- "Somebody Should Do Something: Run for Office": April 21, 2022 at 6:30p.m. - Video
- "So You Want to Run For Council": May 4, 2022 at 6:30p.m. - Registration Link
Election Accessibility Plan
This plan is for use in the 2022 Municipal Election in conjunction with the Municipality’s current Multi-Year Accessibility Plan and Policy 2018-2022.
Election Accessibility Plan 2022 Municipal Election
Input and Feedback
The Clerk encourages input and feedback to further enhance election accessibility. If you feel you have identified a barrier, have a recommendation to improve accessibility for the upcoming election, or have any other election feedback, please contact us using the contacts below.
Municipal Election Compliance Audit Committee (MECAC)
Woolwich Township has partnered with the Region of Waterloo, Cities of Cambridge, Guelph, Kitchener, and Waterloo, and the Townships of North Dumfries, Wellesley, and Wilmot to form a joint Municipal Election Compliance Audit Committee (MECAC) for the term 2022-2026. The role of MECAC is to:
- grant or reject applications for a compliance audit
- if a compliance audit is granted, appoint an auditor, receive the auditor's report and decide if legal action is needed
- consider reports from the Clerk identifying contributors who appear to have contravened election contribution limits, and decide if legal action is needed
If an eligible voter believes a Candidate or Third Party Advertiser has contravened the election finance rules, the voter may apply for a compliance audit of the relevant campaign finances. The application must be made in writing and must set out the reasons why the voter believes the Candidate or Third Party Advertiser has contravened the rules. An application for a compliance audit must be submitted to the Township Clerk who conducted the Election within 90 days of the deadline to file the campaign financial statement.
There are two ways to vote in the 2022 Municipal and School Board Election, by internet or telephone. The Township of Wellesley is not offering paper ballot voting at any time during the voting period, but staff are available to assist in our Elections Help Centre to ensure you can successfully cast your electronic ballot. The voting period opens Friday, October 14th, 2022 at 10:00a.m. and closes Monday, October 24th, 2022 at 8:00p.m.
Voting in the 2022 Municipal and School Board Election
How to Vote
The internet and telephone voting system will open Friday, October 14th, 2022 at 10:00a.m. and remain open until Monday, October 24th, 2022 at 8:00p.m. You will need to have a Voter Information Letter in order to vote, these letters were mailed out on September 26, 2022. The Voter Information Letter includes your PIN number, internet website and telephone number you will use to access the electronic ballot.
Voter Notice Letter Issues
- If you have not received a Voter Information Letter by October 13, 2022, please contact the Election Help Centre at 519-699-3968 or election@wellesley.ca
- If you got a Voter Information Letter that doesn't belong to you or anyone in your household, you may return to sender or bring it back to the Township Office
- If you received more than one Voter Information Letter, please contact the Election Help Centre at 519-699-3969 or election@wellesley.ca as one of the letters may have been disabled
Municipal Election Help Centre
An Election Help Centre has been established at the Township of Wellesley Administration Office, 4639 Lobsinger Line, St. Clements, Ontario N0B 2M0, during business hours of Monday to Friday 8:00a.m. to 4:30p.m. from Friday, October 14th at 10:00a.m. to Monday, October 24th at 8:00p.m. Extended Help Centre hours are as follows,
Tuesday, October 18th from 4:30p.m. to 6:00p.m
Thursday, October 20th from 4:30p.m. to 6:00p.m.
Saturday, October 22nd from 10:00a.m. to 2:00p.m.
Monday, October 24th from 4:30p.m. to 8:00p.m.
Staff are available at the Election Help Centre to assist with voting, printing Voter Information Letters and adding new electors to the voters list. The Help Centre will have a computer and telephone set up in designated areas for eligible electors to use if they do not have access to a telephone or internet connection. The Election Help Centre can be contacted in person, by phone at 519-699-3968 or by email at elections@wellesley.ca.
Please ensure your bring your Voter Notice Letter with you to the Election Help Centre. Any requests for changes to the Voter's List will require current and valid proof of identification.
Voting Security
The Township of Wellesley will never call or email you asking for your Voter ID or PIN.
To ensure secrecy, confidentiality, and privacy while voting, please:
- ensure no one else is listening on the same phone line while voting, and
- do not use public WiFi if you are unfamiliar with the security settings.
Important dates to come
- October 14, 2022: start of 10 day voting period via internet and telephone
- October 24, 2022: Election Day (internet, and telephone voting) voting ends at 8:00pm
- November 14, 2022: start of Council orientation
- November 15, 2022 new term of office commences
- November 22, 2022: Inaugural Council Meeting
Historical Election Information
2018 Municipal Election Results
The Office of Regional Chair and School Board Trustees are elected by more than one municipality. The results posted below are for the Township of Wellesley only and do not reflect the total vote count.
Mayor (1 to be elected)
|
Candidate |
Votes |
|
Joe Nowak |
1271 (elected) |
|
Bernia Wheaton |
1248 |
Councillor, Ward 1 (1 to be elected)
|
Candidate |
Votes |
|
Shelley Wagner |
ACCLAIMED |
Councillor, Ward 2 (1 to be elected)
|
Candidate |
Votes |
|
Herb Neher |
150 (elected) |
|
Mark Witmer |
84 |
Councillor, Ward 3 (1 to be elected)
|
Candidate |
Votes |
|
Joyce Barker |
433 |
|
Grant Kingsbury |
338 |
|
Philip Morris |
27 |
|
Peter van der Maas |
593 (elected) |
Councillor, Ward 4 (1 to be elected)
|
Candidate |
Votes |
|
Carl Smit |
ACCLAIMED |
Office of Regional Chair (1 to be elected)
|
Candidate |
Votes |
|
Jay Aissa |
247 |
|
Jan d'Ailly |
267 |
|
Rob Deutschmann |
637 |
|
Karen Redman |
1313 (elected) |
English Public School Board Trustee (1 to be elected)
|
Candidate |
Votes |
|
Karen Meissner |
ACCLAIMED |
English Separate School Board Trustee (2 to be elected)
|
Candidate |
Votes |
|
Jeanne Gravelle |
ACCLAIMED |
|
Melanie Van Alphen |
ACCLAIMED |
French Public School Board Trustee (1 to be elected)
|
Candidate |
Votes |
|
Pascale Thibodeau |
3 (elected) |
|
Denis Trudel |
1 |
French Separate School Board Trustee (1 to be elected)
|
Candidate |
Votes |
|
Dorothee Petit-Pas |
ACCLAIMED |
*Note: these results are for the Township of Wellesley only and do not reflect the results from voters in all municipalities eligible to vote for the office.
2022 Municipal Election Results
The Office of Regional Chair and School Board Trustees are elected by more than one municipality. The results posted below are for the Township of Wellesley only and do not reflect the total vote count.
Mayor (1 to be elected)
| Candidates | Votes |
| Joe Nowak | ACCLAIMED |
Councillor Ward 1 (1 to be elected)
| Candidates | Votes |
| Shelley Wagner | ACCLAIMED |
Councillor Ward 2 (1 to be elected)
| Candidates | Votes |
| Lori Sebben | ACCLAIMED |
Councillor Ward 3 (1 to be elected)
| Candidates | Votes |
| Mary Lichty | 356 |
| Derek Brick | 613 |
Councillor Ward 4 (1 to be elected)
| Candidates | Votes |
| Robert Caskanette | 297 |
| Claude Hergott | 423 |
Office of the Regional Chair (1 to be elected)
| Candidates | Votes |
| Narine Dat Sookram | 100 |
| Karen Redman | 1346 |
| Brendon John Da Costa | 387 |
English Public School Board Trustee (1 to be elected)
| Candidates | Votes |
| Jen Burkholder | 367 |
| Gerhard Ens | 149 |
| Fred Meissner | 534 |
| Zach Smith | 347 |
English Separate School Board Trustee (2 to be elected)
| Candidates | Votes |
| Linda Cuff | 166 |
| Nike Dattani | 65 |
| Sally Fuentes | 98 |
| Conrad Stanley | 117 |
French Public School Board Trustee (1 to be elected)
| Candidates | Votes |
| Joseph Vandermeer | 1 |
| David O'Hara | 0 |
French Separate School Board Trustee (1 to be elected)
| Candidates | Votes |
| Dorothée Petit-Pas | 0 |
| Gilles Roy | 2 |
| Éric Sanderson | 3 |
*Note: these results are for the Township of Wellesley only and do not reflect the results from voters in all municipalities eligible to vote for the office.
Frequently Asked Election Questions
Who is an eligible candidate or elector?
An eligible candidate or elector is anyone who is:
- a Canadian citizen
- At least 18 years of age
- Resides in the local municipality or is the owner or tenant of land in the local municipality or the spouse of such person
- Not prohibited from voting by law
How do I register to be a candidate?
Candidates can run for office by filing their nomination with the Clerk along with the nomination filing fee ($200 for Mayor or $100 for Councillor).
Please note the following changes for nominations:
- nominations will be accepted May 2nd, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. to August 19th, 2022 at 2:00 p.m.
- nominations must be endorsed by 25 people.
Where to file your Nomination Paper
Nomination Papers will be received by the Office of the Regional Clerk, Regional Headquarters, 150 Frederick St. Kitchener, Ontario for the position of Regional Chair
Nomination Papers will be received by the Municipal Clerk of the Township of Wellesley at the Administration Office, 4639 Lobsinger Line, St. Clements, ON N0B 2M0 for the following positions:
- Mayor
- Municipal Councillors
Nomination Papers will be received by the Municipal Clerk of the following municipalities for the position of School Board Trustee
- Waterloo Region District School Board (1) - English Public, Trustees file with the Township of Woolwich
- Waterloo Catholic District School Board (2) - English Separate, Trustees file with the City of Waterloo
- Conseil scolaire Viamonde (1) - French Public, Trustees file with the City of London
- Conseil Scolaire de District Catholique MonAvenir (1) - French Catholic, Trustees file in the City of Kitchener
Why have I been asked to sign an endorsement?
As part of the nomination filing package of a candidate for council, they must include twenty-five (25) written endorsements of nomination for their position. A person endorsing a nomination must be an eligible voter in the Township of Wellesley on the day to which the endorsement is made.
How do I check to see if I am on the Voters List?
Complete the Voter List Look-up and you will receive a confirmation email or be requested more information to be registered on the Voters List.
Contact Us
Township of Wellesley
4639 Lobsinger Line
St. Clements ON N0B 2M0
519-699-4611
519-699-4540 (facsimile)
Township of Wellesley Recreation Complex
1401 Queens Bush Road,
Wellesley, Ontario N0B 2T0
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