Elections

Getting Ready for the 2026 Municipal Elections

Visit RegisterToVoteON.ca for information on eligibility, registration and how to check, update or add your information to the voters list for both municipal and provincial elections.

Key dates

The next Municipal Election will be held on October 26, 2026. We’re here to help. If you need more information, or have any questions, please contact the Clerk’s Office at 2529 Stirling Marmora Road or 613-395-3380 ext. 2234 or clerk@stirling-rawdon.com

Eligibility to Vote

You can vote if you are:

A Canadian citizen; and

At least 18 years old; and

A resident of the Township of Stirling-Rawdon; or

A non-resident of the Township of Stirling-Rawdon, but you or your spouse own or rent property in the municipality; and

Are not prohibited from voting under any law

What’s my Ward?

How to Vote

Check to see if you’re on the Voters’ List, and your information is up to date.

Wait for your Voter Information Letter to arrive in the mail.

Keep the Voter Information Letter in a safe place until the voting period begins in October 2026

Open your Voter Information Letter and find the PIN number that will let you access the voting system.

If you do not receive your Voter Information Letter in the mail within 3-4 days before the voting period begins, please contact the Municipal Office.

Ready to Vote!

Internet Voting

Vote by internet (takes about 5 minutes)

Visit the voting website provided in your Vote Information Letter by entering the address into the address bar at the top of your internet browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge etc.)

Enter your PIN (Do not include spaces)

Enter your date of birth

Complete the Captcha challenge as shown on the screen (if required)

Follow the prompts through all contests, through all contests, and complete your ballot by pressing Submit Ballot

Telephone Voting

Vote by telephone (takes about 10 minutes – Do not hang up until you have voted for all races)

Dial the phone number using a touch-tone phone or smartphone;

Enter your PIN (Do not include spaces)

Enter your date of birth using the format described

Listen carefully to all of the prompts for the voting;

Your vote will be counted after voting for all the races on your ballot (e.g. Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Councillor x 3, School Board Trustee)

If you are concerned that your ballot may not have been counted, you can attempt to call in a second time with your PIN. If your vote has been properly submitted originally, the system will advise that you have already voted.

Troubleshooting

Having trouble voting electronically or by telephone? Review these tips:

Internet Voting:

Type the voting website into your web browser's address bar which is either at the top or bottom of your web browser (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge, Opera). Typing the website into a search engine browser (such as Google, Bing, or DuckDuckGo) will not get you to our Voting website, it just searches for our voting website (which is unlisted).

If you receive an error that your credentials are invalid this usually occurs because your birth date on the Voters’ List is either incorrect, or incomplete. Try reversing your month and day if your day of birth is 12 or less (e.g. switching January 2, to February 1, 01-02 to 02-01). If this tip works, please email us so we can correct your birth date for the next Municipal Election.
- Do not include any spaces in your PIN when typing it into the system.
- Disable any VPN system you may have on your device, and/or try using another Internet Browser (Such as Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Apple Safari, or Mozilla Firefox), or another internet connection (such as using cellular data instead of WIFI).

Are you considering running in the 2026 Municipal Election?

Join The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) new online workshop series for leaders seeking re-election or first-time aspiring candidates—offered at no charge for participants.

AMO’s Healthy Democracy Leadership Series:

Stronger Leaders, Stronger Communities

As Ontario moves toward the 2026 municipal elections, both current elected officials and aspiring candidates are navigating increasing levels of community expectation, online toxicity, and pressures on personal wellbeing. This series provides a supportive, skills-focused environment to strengthen your leadership foundation and reconnect with the values that guide public service.

This workshop series is part of AMO’s Healthy Democracy Project. To explore more research and resources, visit the Project’s website.

Two Streams — Offered at No Charge

Stream 1: Considering Re-Election in 2026

For municipal elected officials preparing their path forward and seeking renewed clarity, confidence, and resilience.

Stream 2: First-Time Candidates for 2026

For community members exploring a run for municipal office and looking to build confidence, understanding, and support before launching a campaign.

Each stream includes four inspiring sessions (you can register for the full series or individual sessions):

Session 1—February/March 2026: Finding Your Why – Leading with Purpose and Authenticity

Session 2—March/April 2026: Praise Your Rivals – Managing Conflict and Building Effective Relationships

Session 3—April 2026: What Matters Most – Prioritizing Mental Health and Wellbeing

Session 4—May 2026: Building Your Movement – Turning Values into Action

What you’ll gain by attending these sessions:

Clarity of Purpose: reconnect with your values and what drives you to serve

Resilience in Conflict: handle tough situations with skill and confidence

Personal Wellbeing: prevent burnout and create sustainable leadership practices

Stronger Communication: inspire trust and mobilize authentic community support

Practical Tools & Resources: customized workbooks, scripts, and templates you can use immediately

Peer Connection: build relationships with others also preparing to run in 2026

Join this Workshop to Gain Useful Insights and Strategies Focused on Underrepresented Communities

The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) is offering a series of workshops for people thinking about running for municipal office in the October 2026 elections.

Focused specifically on diverse candidates, this free 90-minute workshop provides useful insights and strategies to support you in getting your name on the ballot. While these workshops do offer a focus on individuals from underrepresented communities, all are welcome.

Facilitated by former municipal Councillors Steve Anderson and Jasvinder Sandhu, you will be taken through:

what to expect running as a diverse candidate

critical strategies for successfully campaigning for municipal office

understand what it takes to become a candidate

identifying your target audience

developing effective messaging and branding

utilizing community engagement practices to enhance visibility and support

And more!

Click Here For More Event Info

Registration is free.

Dates:

February 4, 2026 - 10:30am - 12:00pm

April 8, 2026 - 10:00am - 11:30am

Location: Virtual

An Information Session for Urban Indigenous Peoples’ Considering Running for Municipal Office

If you are an urban Indigenous person interested in running for municipal council in, we have a workshop for you! The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) is offering a series of workshops for urban Indigenous peoples’ thinking about running for municipal office in the October 2026 elections.

These sessions will provide insights and strategies to build your understanding and confidence around how to become a candidate and running a campaign.

Facilitated by Melanie Pilon, the first Indigenous Mayor of Municipality of Wawa and member of Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory and William Morin, member of Michipicoten First Nation and founder and leader of The First Peoples National Party of Canada (2004-2013), you will gain firsthand insight into:

Why increasing Indigenous representation matters in Municipal governance?
Critical strategies for successfully campaigning for municipal office
Understand what it takes to become a candidate
Strategies to build confidence to lead with cultural integrity
And more!

This session is part of AMO's Healthy Democracy Leadership Series. For more information visit here.

Questions? Please reach out to events@amo.on.ca

Dates:

Thursday, April 9, 6:30 – 8:30pm
Wednesday, May 6, 6:30 – 8:30pm
Wednesday, June, 3, 6:30 – 8:30pm

Registration: Free

Melanie Pilon the principal and founder of Pilon Strategies Inc. With more than 15 years of senior leadership experience in community economic development and Indigenous affairs, she currently serves as the Mayor of the Municipality of Wawa.

A proud Anishinaabe Kwe from Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory, Melanie is widely recognized for her ability to lead transformative change and foster sustainable, community-driven impact. Before founding Pilon Strategies Inc., Melanie led the National Indigenous Affairs team at Bell Canada and was the founder and Regional Broadband Champion of the Northeastern Superior Regional Broadband Network (NSRBN). She continues to strengthen municipal–Indigenous partnerships through her work with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), where she serves as Chair of the Indigenous Advisory Council.

Image of William Morin

William Morin, a citizen of Michipicoten Anishinaabek, residing in Northern Ontario, where he continues to teach Indigenous Studies for three decades at various elementary - post-secondary institutions in Ontario. William Morin, of Birds of Pray Create Consulting, is a multi-faceted interdisciplinary facilitator of Indigenous Cultural Awareness training for over two decades, provincially and nationally to a wide variety of clientele in both the private and public sectors. After serving as a Medical Assistant in the Canadian Armed Forces during the first Gulf War, he obtained four degrees and is currently finishing his PhD in Interdisciplinary Human Studies at Laurentian University. In 2004, Will helped to found the First Peoples National Party of Canada, becoming the leader and running as a candidate in three federal elections until voluntarily deregistering the party in 2013 to focus on Indigenous Cultural Awareness training.

An Information Session for Youth Considering Running for Municipal Office

If you are a youth interested in running for municipal council in October 2026, we have a workshop for you! The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) is offering a series of workshops for young people thinking about running for municipal office in the October 2026 elections.

These sessions will provide insights and strategies to build your understanding and confidence around how to become a candidate and running a campaign.

Facilitated by three current municipal leaders, Natasha Salonen-Mayor of the Township of Wilmot, Cam Wales-Councillor, City of Brockville and Aidan Kallioinen-Councillor, Town of Espanola, you will gain firsthand insight into:

What to expect running as a candidate and as young person

Critical strategies for successfully campaigning for municipal office

Understand what it takes to become a candidate

Strategies for engagement including communication

And more!

Dates:

Wednesday, February 18, 6:30-8:00P
Wednesday, March 11, 6:30-8:00PM
Wednesday, April 15, 6:30-8:00PM

Registration: FREE

See full workshop details here.

Check back beginning May 1, 2026 for the list of Candidates as they sign up.

Strong local democracy starts with people who care about their community.

Running for municipal or school board office is an opportunity to bring your experience and ideas to the table and help move your community forward.

Municipal councils and school boards benefit from people of all ages, professions and lived experiences who are willing to listen, learn and lead. If you are passionate about your community and ready to contribute, you may already have what it takes to run.

This page is your starting point. Here you’ll find information about who can run, what to expect as a candidate, important dates and deadlines, and how to file a nomination.

Eligibility

To qualify as a candidate you must be, on the day that you file your nomination:

A Canadian citizen

At least 18 years old

A resident of the Township of Stirling-Rawdon; or

A non-resident of the Township of Stirling-Rawdon and you or your spouse owns or rents property in the Township;

In the case of school boards, a resident of the area of jurisdiction of the school board;

Not ineligible under the Municipal Election Act, Education Act or any other act or otherwise prohibited by law to be nominated for or to hold the office.

Who cannot be a candidate?

The following people are disqualified from being elected as a member of council or from holding office as a member of council:

An employee of the municipality unless they take an unpaid leave of absence beginning the day they are nominated and resign if elected to the office;

A judge of any court;

A member of the Provincial Legislature, the Federal House of Commons or Senate who has not resigned from their office by the close of nominations. Proof of resignation must be provided by the close of nominations or the Clerk will not certify the nomination; or

A candidate who failed to file the necessary financial statement(s) in the last municipal election or by-election.

Info. for Registered Third Party Advertisers

Since the 2018 Municipal Election, there is now a requirement for all Third Party Advertisers to register with the Municipal Clerk. Please review the information below and the Ministry of Municipal Affairs Guide to Third Party Advertisers

https://www.ontario.ca/document/2022-third-party-advertisers-guide

Definition

A third party advertisement is an advertisement in any broadcast, print, electronic or other medium that promotes, supports or opposes a candidate, or a “yes” or “no” answer to a question on the ballot. Advertisement includes traditional ads as well as materials such as brochures or signs. This does not include advertisements by or under the direction of a candidate.

All individuals, corporations and trade unions must register before incurring any expense related to third party advertisements. October 23, 2026 is last day to register.

Exclusions from Third Party Advertising

Activities that do not involve spending money, such as discussions or expressing an opinion about a candidate are not considered to be third party advertising. Examples include:

speaking to friends and neighbours;

posting on social media, such as Twitter, Facebook or Instagram;

sending an email to a group or mailing list

Internal communications from an employer to their employees, a corporation to its shareholders, directors, members or employees or by a trade union to its members or employees are not considered to be third party advertising.

Advertising about an issue, rather than a candidate is not considered third party advertising. For example, signs saying “Support local businesses” or “Keep the waterfront green” would not be third party advertising, even if a candidate has made those issues part of their campaign.

Becoming a Third Party Advertiser

Ontario residents, corporations and trade unions that will incur expenses for advertisements related to the promotion, support or opposition of a candidate in any broadcast, print, electronic, or other medium must register as a third party advertiser. They can begin filing their Notice of Registration on Friday, May 1, 2026, by appointment only. The last day to register as a Third Party Advertiser is Friday, October 23, 2026.

Ward 1 Councillor Vacancy

Certified List of Eligible Applicant(s)

	Certified Candidates for Ward 1 Councillor

Name	Qualifying Address	Phone No.	E-Mail Address

Grant Hagerman	1281 Salem Road Stirling ON K0K 3E0	H: (613) 395-3541 C: (613) 922-3541	gjhagerman@gmail.com
Marvin Molloy	679 Cooke Road Stirling ON K0K 3E0	C: (613) 395-6076	marvin.molloy@hotmail.com
David Alexander Black	442 Cooke Road Stirling ON K0K 3E0	C: (613) 743-2592	black.david100@gmail.com
Matthew Keating	167 Woodbeck Road Stirling ON K0K 3E0	C: (613) 921-9240	eaglematthew6@gmail.com
Paul “Kevin” McCaughen	11 Carrick Street Stirling ON K0K 3E0	C: (613) 847-6151	mccaughenk@gmail.com
Dallas Edward Ohl	151 Baker Street Stirling ON K0K 3E0	C: (613) 885-2353	dallas.ohl@gmail.com