The Municipality of Port Hope is inviting residents interested in running in the 2026 municipal and school board elections to begin preparing their nomination papers.
Officials say nomination forms can be filed starting May 1, with the deadline set for August 21. Candidates must submit their forms in person or through an agent at the Municipal Clerkâs office, with appointments required to complete the process.
Those running for mayor or council must also submit an endorsement of nomination form with at least 25 signatures from eligible voters. Officials note candidates are encouraged to gather more than the minimum number of signatures to ensure compliance. This requirement does not apply to school board trustee candidates.
Filing fees are set at $200 for the mayoral position and $100 for councillor roles. School board trustee candidates must pay their fees to the appropriate municipal office depending on the position.
The municipality says candidates are not permitted to raise or spend campaign funds until their nomination forms have been officially filed.
Positions open for nomination include one mayor, six councillors across two wards, and several school board trustee roles representing English public, English Catholic, and French language boards. Some trustee nominations must be filed through municipal offices in Cobourg or Oshawa.
Election day is scheduled for October 26.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
