Wednesday, October 21, 4:30p.m. to 6:30p.m.
Election
Voting Period Now Open
Friday, October 16, 10:00a.m. to Monday, October 26, 8:00p.m.
Voter Information Letters
Voter Information Letters have been mailed out. If you have not received your personalized Voter Information Letter contact the Clerks department at election@wellesley.ca.
Voters' List Look-up
Check the Voters' List to confirm you're registered to vote. If your name isn't on the list visit an Election Help Centre with photo ID and proof of residence to have your name added to the Voters' List.
Election Help Centres
Township of Wellesley Administration Office, 4639 Lobsinger Line, St. Clements
Friday, October 16, 2026, 10:00a.m. to 4:30p.m.
Monday, October 19, 2026, to Friday, October 23, 2026, 8:00a.m. to 4:30p.m.
Monday, October 26, 2026, 8:00a.m. to 8:00p.m.
Linwood Community Centre, 5279 Ament Line, Linwood
Tuesday, October 20, 4:30p.m. to 6:30p.m.
Hawkesville Community Centre, 3521 Broadway Street, Hawkesville
St. Clements Community Centre, 1 Green Street, St. Clements
Thursday, October 22, 4:30p.m. to 6:30p.m.
Bill Gies Recreation Centre, 1401 Queens Bush Road, Wellesley
Saturday, October 24, 10:00a.m. to 2:00p.m.
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 and Telephone Voting. This means:
-
Vote anytime, anywhere – You’ll be able to cast your ballot online from your computer, tablet, smartphone or landline telephone.
-
10 days to vote – Voting will open 10 days before Election Day and remain available 24/7 until polls close on October 26th at 8:00p.m.
-
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 during regular business hours at the Township Administration Office or one of the Ward specific Election Help Centres if you’d like in-person assistance or to use a voting kiosk.
- Paper ballots will NOT be available at any time or location.
Information for Voters
An eligible candidate or elector is anyone who is:
- A Canadian citizen
- At least 18 years of age
- Resides in the Township of Wellesley or is the owner or tenant of land in the Township of Wellesley or the spouse of such person
- Not prohibited from voting by law
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing 2026 voters' guide
Elections Ontario is mandated under the Election Act, 1990 to maintain the Register with information on individuals eligible to vote in provincial and municipal elections in Ontario, and to ensure that the information is as accurate as possible. Information in the Register is used to create Preliminary Lists of Electors which are provided to municipalities to create voter's lists for elections.
The Elections Ontario Register to Vote portal is now closed - Check, update, add or remove your information and/or property on the voters list before July 31, 2026 to ensure your information is accurate and you will receive a Voter Information Letter to access the online voting system.
Complete the Township Voter List Look-up form to request confirm that you are a registered elector on the Voters' List or to receive instruction on how to be added to the List.
Township Voter List Look-Up
The Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) is no longer responsible for collecting voter information for municipal elections. However, MPAC is required to collect school support information.
To ensure your correct school support designation is provided to Elections Ontario in time for the next municipal and school board elections on October 26, 2026, it should be reviewed and, if needed, updated by June 1, 2026.
While Elections Ontario maintains the Permanent Register of Electors in Ontario for provincial, municipal, and school board elections, MPAC (Municipal Property Assessment Corporation) is legislatively responsible for collecting school support designation information.
What is school support?
Whether you own or rent your home, your property is linked to a school board – even if you don’t have children or your children aren’t currently attending school. While you’re not required to make a designation, you do have the option to choose which school board you support. If you don’t make a choice, your support will default to the English-Public school board.
How to update school support designations
Property owners can change their school support designation online using MPAC AboutMyProperty™ or our online portal for tenants. To get started, choose the option that applies to you:
To learn more about school support, visit the MPAC website.
Voting Day for the 2026 Municipal Election is Monday, October 26, 2026. The Township of Wellesley has established a 10 day Voting Period open from Friday, October 16, 2026 at 10:00a.m. to Monday, October 26, 2026 at 8:00p.m.
During the Voting Period an Election Help Centre will be designated at the Township Administration Office located at 4639 Lobsinger Line, St. Clements during regular business hours. Additional Election Help Centre locations have been established in each ward one day during the Voting Period.
Township of Wellesley Administration Office, 4639 Lobsinger Line, St. Clements
Friday, October 16, 2026, 10:00a.m. to 4:30p.m.
Monday, October 19, 2026, to Friday, October 23, 2026, 8:00a.m. to 4:30p.m.
Monday, October 26, 2026, 8:00a.m. to 8:00p.m.
Linwood Community Centre, 5279 Ament Line, Linwood
Tuesday, October 20, 4:30p.m. to 6:30p.m.
Hawkesville Community Centre, 3521 Broadway Street, Hawkesville
Wednesday, October 21, 4:30p.m. to 6:30p.m.
St. Clements Community Centre, 1 Green Street, St. Clements
Thursday, October 22, 4:30p.m. to 6:30p.m.
Bill Gies Recreation Centre, 1401 Queens Bush Road, Wellesley
Saturday, October 24, 10:00a.m. to 2:00p.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 available for eligible electors to use. 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.
Internet and Telephone Voting Method
On April 22, 2025 the Council of the Township of Wellesley passed a motion to proceed with an alternate voting method of internet voting. At the February 24, 2026 Committee of the Whole Council supported a motion to also provide telephone voting for the 2026 Municipal and School Board Election.
The internet voting method has been available to municipalities for more than 20 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.
Eligible electors are able to vote anytime during the 10 day Voting Period from anywhere they can access a telephone or internet connection. Voters will need their Voting PIN and their full date of birth (month, day and year) to vote. The Voting PIN, along with the voting website address and the telephone voting number, is included in the Voter Information Letter mailed to voters in early October 2026.
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 2026 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.
How to Vote
The internet and telephone voting system will open Friday, October 16, 2026 at 10:00a.m. and remain open until Monday, October 26, 2026 at 8:00p.m. You will need to have a Voter Information Letter in order to vote, these letters will be mailed out in early October 2026. The Voter Information Letter includes your PIN number, internet website and telephone number you will use to access the electronic ballot.
Voter Information Letter Issues
- If you do not received a Voter Information Letter by October 16, 2026, please contact the Election Help Centre at 519-699-3968 or election@wellesley.ca
- If you received 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 Administration Office
- If you received more than one Voter Information Letter, please contact the Election Help Centre at 519-699-3968 or election@wellesley.ca as one of the letters may have been disabled
Municipal Election Compliance Audit Committee (MECAC)
Wellesley Township has partnered with the Region of Waterloo, Cities of Cambridge, Guelph, Kitchener, and Waterloo, and the Townships of North Dumfries, Woolwich, and Wilmot to form a joint Municipal Election Compliance Audit Committee (MECAC) for the term 2026-2030. 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.
Become a Candidate
Nomination
The Nomination Period for the 2026 Municipal Election begins on May 1, 2026. Candidates are encouraged to schedule an appointment to submit nomination papers. To make an appointment, please contact the Clerks Department by email or by phone at 519-699-3968. The deadline to file a nomination is Friday, August 21, 2026 at 2:00p.m.
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). In addition to the nomination filing fee, candidates are required to obtain endorsements from 25 eligible electors of the Township of Wellesley.
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. There are additional rules for candidates who are also:
- a municipal employee;
- a judge, Member of Parliament (MP), Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP), or Senator; or
- an inmate.
Where to file your Nomination Paper
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 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 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
During the appointment to submit the nomination package the documents listed below will be reviewed, signed and a copy provided to each candidate.
- Nomination Paper Form 1
- Endorsement of Nomination Form 2
- Nomination filing fee
- Proof of identity and residence as prescribed in O. Reg. 304/13
- Proof of citizenship satisfactory to the Clerk
- Consent To Release Personal Information Form WEL10
- Declaration of Qualifications Form WEL11
- Estimated Maximum Campaign Expenses Form WEL12
- Withdrawal of Nomination Form WEL17
- Appointment of Scrutineer by Candidate Form WEL29
Included for Reference or future use:
- 2026 Municipal Election Procedures
- Council Job Descriptions
- 2026 Council Meeting Calendar (including New Council Orientation Sessions)
- Financial Statement – Auditor’s Report Candidate Form 4
- Financial Statement – Subsequent Expenses Form 5
- Notice of Extension of Campaign Period Form 6
- 2026 Candidates’ Guide Ontario Municipal Council and School Board Elections
- Region of Waterloo Sign By-law and Amendments
- Region of Waterloo – Notice of Police Record Check
- Use of Corporate Resources for Election Purposes Policy
- Township or Ward Map
- Schedule of Key Dates
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 2026 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 starts on the day each candidate files their nomination and generally ends December 31 in the year of an election. Candidates can only campaign, advertise, spend money, and accept contributions (including money, goods, or services) during this period.
For more information, please see the:
- 2026 Municipal Election Procedure Manual, and
- 2026 Candidates' Guide: Ontario Municipal Council and School Board Elections
Election Accessibility Plan
The Election Accessibility Plan is for use in the 2026 Municipal Election in conjunction with the Municipality’s current Multi-Year Accessibility Plan.
- Lead Local: Municipal Election Candidate Information Night - April 23, 2026
- Lead Where You Live - AMO's guide to running in the 2026 municipal election
- AMO's Health Democracy Leadership Series: Supporting Local Leadership in run up to the 2026 Municipal Elections
- Running for Municipal Office - Everything You Need to Know as an Underrepresented Candidate
- An Information Session for Youth Considering Running for Municipal Office
- An Information Session for Urban Indigenous Peoples Considering Running for Municipal Office
The nomination period for the 2026 Municipal Election is Friday, May 1, 2026 until Friday, August 21, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. On August 24, 2026, by 4:00p.m. the Clerk will review and certify all nominations in compliance with the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 and will publish the Official List of Certified Candidates.
Mayor (1 to be elected)
|
Candidates |
Contact Information |
Nomination Status |
| Joe Nowak |
519-656-2466 |
Nomination Certified |
| Chris Martin |
519-502-7158 |
Nomination Certified |
Ward 1 Councillor (1 to be elected)
|
Candidates |
Contact Information |
Nomination Status |
| Shelley Wagner |
519-699-5814 |
Nomination Certified ACCLAIMED |
Ward 2 Councillor (1 to be elected)
|
Candidates |
Contact Information |
Nomination Status |
| Chris Van Bargen |
519-588-1970 |
Nomination Certified ACCLAIMED |
Ward 3 Councillor (1 to be elected)
|
Candidates |
Contact Information |
Nomination Status |
| Derek Brick |
226-753-5823 |
Nomination Certified ACCLAIMED |
Ward 4 Councillor (1 to be elected)
|
Candidates |
Contact Information |
Nomination Status |
| Claude Hergott |
519-897-0080 |
Nomination Certified ACCLAIMED |
Office of the Regional Chair
Following the adoption of the Better Regional Governance Act, 2026, on May 7, 2026 the Regional Chair is now a Provincially appointed position and will not appear on the ballot.
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.
Municipal Election Compliance Audit Committee (MECAC)
Wellesley Township has partnered with the Region of Waterloo, Cities of Cambridge, Guelph, Kitchener, and Waterloo, and the Townships of North Dumfries, Woolwich, and Wilmot to form a joint Municipal Election Compliance Audit Committee (MECAC) for the term 2026-2030. 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.
Third Party Advertisers
Information for Third Party Advertisers
Eligibility for Registration
Only the following persons and entities are eligible to file a notice of registration:
- An individual who is normally resident in Ontario.
- A corporation that carries on business in Ontario.
- A trade union that holds bargaining rights for employees in Ontario.
Registration
The registration period for Third Party Advertisers for the 2026 Municipal Election opens May 1, 2026 and closes Friday, October 23, 2026. Registrations will occur by appointment only. To make an appointment, please contact the Clerks Department by email or by phone at 519-699-3968. All registration appointments will be held at the Township Administration Office, 4639 Lobsinger Line, St. Clements during regular business hours of Monday to Friday, 8:00a.m. to 4:30p.m.
During the appointment to register as a Third Party Advertiser the documents listed below will be reviewed, signed and a copy provided to each registrant.
- Notice of Registration Form 7 – Third Party Advertisers
- if registering as an individual – current photo identification showing your name, address and date of birth
- if registering as a corporation or trade union – proof that you are authorized to act on behalf of the corporation or trade union
- Estimated Maximum Campaign Expenses Form WEL12
- Declaration of Qualifications – Third Party Advertisers Form WEL22
- Certificate of Maximum Campaign Expenses Form WEL24
- Notice to Registered Third Party of Filing Requirements Form WEL25
- 2026 Municipal Election Procedure Manual
- Financial Statement – Auditor’s Report Third Party Form 8
- Financial Statement – Subsequent Expenses Form 5
- Notice of Extension of Campaign Period Form 6
- MMAH 2026 Third Party Advertisers Guide
List of Registered Third Party Advertisers
The Third Party Advertiser registration period for the 2026 Municipal Election is Friday, May 1, 2026 until Friday, October 23, 2026.
Registered Third Party Advertisers
|
Third Party Advertiser |
Contact Information |
Municipal Election Compliance Audit Committee (MECAC)
Wellesley Township has partnered with the Region of Waterloo, Cities of Cambridge, Guelph, Kitchener, and Waterloo, and the Townships of North Dumfries, Woolwich, and Wilmot to form a joint Municipal Election Compliance Audit Committee (MECAC) for the term 2026-2030. 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.
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.
Media Release
2026 Municipal Election Voting Period Open
The 2026 Municipal Election voting period is now open. The voting period will be open from Friday, October 16, 2026 at 10:00a.m. until Monday, October 26, 2026 at 8:00p.m.
2026 Municipal Election - Filing of Nominations and Candidate Campaigns
The “Municipal Elections Act, 1996”, as amended, provides that every eligible person who wishes to be a candidate in the 2026 Municipal Election, to be held on Monday, October 26, 2026, shall file a Nomination Paper with the Municipal Clerk of the municipality responsible for the office they plan to run for.
Nomination period opens on Friday, May 1, 2026, and closes on Friday, August 21, 2026, at 2 p.m.
Lead Local: Municipal candidate engagement event set for April 2026
Municipalities across Waterloo Region are coming together to invite hopeful municipal election candidates to learn how to run for office.
The Lead Local: Municipal Election Candidate Engagement Event is designed to broaden awareness of the October 26, 2026, municipal election process and support individuals considering running for office. The event will take place on April 23, 2026, from 5 to 8:30 p.m. at the Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum.
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