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The Township Administration Office and the Bill Gies Recreation Centre will be closed on Monday, May 18th for Victoria Day. Regular hours will resume Tuesday.
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.
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 full 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.
An eligible candidate or elector is anyone who is:
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.
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.
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 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.
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 year of birth, Voter ID and PIN to vote, this information 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.
Wellesley Township will never call or email you asking for your Voter ID or PIN.
To ensure secrecy, confidentiality and privacy while voting, please:
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:
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.
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:
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:
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
During the appointment to submit the nomination package the documents listed below will be reviewed, signed and a copy provided to each candidate.
Included for Reference or future use:
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.
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:
The Election Accessibility Plan is for use in the 2026 Municipal Election in conjunction with the Municipality’s current Multi-Year Accessibility Plan.
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.
|
Candidates |
Contact Information |
Filing Date |
| Joe Nowak |
519-656-2466 |
May 8, 2026 |
|
Candidates |
Contact Information |
Filing Date |
|
Candidates |
Contact Information |
Filing Date |
|
Candidates |
Contact Information |
Filing Date |
|
Candidates |
Contact Information |
Filing Date |
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:
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.
Information for Third Party Advertisers
Only the following persons and entities are eligible to file a notice of 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.
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.
|
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:
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.
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.
|
Candidate |
Votes |
|
Joe Nowak |
1271 (elected) |
|
Bernia Wheaton |
1248 |
|
Candidate |
Votes |
|
Shelley Wagner |
ACCLAIMED |
|
Candidate |
Votes |
|
Herb Neher |
150 (elected) |
|
Mark Witmer |
84 |
|
Candidate |
Votes |
|
Joyce Barker |
433 |
|
Grant Kingsbury |
338 |
|
Philip Morris |
27 |
|
Peter van der Maas |
593 (elected) |
|
Candidate |
Votes |
|
Carl Smit |
ACCLAIMED |
|
Candidate |
Votes |
|
Jay Aissa |
247 |
|
Jan d'Ailly |
267 |
|
Rob Deutschmann |
637 |
|
Karen Redman |
1313 (elected) |
|
Candidate |
Votes |
|
Karen Meissner |
ACCLAIMED |
|
Candidate |
Votes |
|
Jeanne Gravelle |
ACCLAIMED |
|
Melanie Van Alphen |
ACCLAIMED |
|
Candidate |
Votes |
|
Pascale Thibodeau |
3 (elected) |
|
Denis Trudel |
1 |
|
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.
| Candidates | Votes |
| Joe Nowak | ACCLAIMED |
| Candidates | Votes |
| Shelley Wagner | ACCLAIMED |
| Candidates | Votes |
| Lori Sebben | ACCLAIMED |
| Candidates | Votes |
| Mary Lichty | 356 |
| Derek Brick | 613 |
| Candidates | Votes |
| Robert Caskanette | 297 |
| Claude Hergott | 423 |
| Candidates | Votes |
| Narine Dat Sookram | 100 |
| Karen Redman | 1346 |
| Brendon John Da Costa | 387 |
| Candidates | Votes |
| Jen Burkholder | 367 |
| Gerhard Ens | 149 |
| Fred Meissner | 534 |
| Zach Smith | 347 |
| Candidates | Votes |
| Linda Cuff | 166 |
| Nike Dattani | 65 |
| Sally Fuentes | 98 |
| Conrad Stanley | 117 |
| Candidates | Votes |
| Joseph Vandermeer | 1 |
| David O'Hara | 0 |
| 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.
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.
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.
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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