Elections

Elections for municipal government are held every four years on the fourth Monday of October. The length of term for all municipal elected officials is four years. The current term started in 2022 and ends in 2026.

In municipal elections in Ontario, unlike other levels of government, candidates are not elected to represent a political party. 

Election Day: October 26, 2026

Voting period: 
Start: Monday, October 19, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. 
End: Monday, October 26, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. 

Official List of Candidates

Looking for information on who is running in the 2026 Municipal Election? The official list of certified candidates is available below.

Notice is hereby given to the Municipal Electors that during the period commencing May 1, 2026, and completed on Nomination Day, August 21, 2026, the following persons filed all necessary papers, declarations and fees.

As Clerk, I Kaitlin Bos am satisfied that such person(s) are qualified and that their Nominations satisfy the requirements of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, as amended, as amended. I have, therefore, certified such candidates for the office listed below.

Mayor

Name of Candidate
(in alphabetical order by first name)
Contact Information

Brian Putman 

Telephone: (226) 887-1028 

Address: 210 Cole Blvd, Southampton, ON N0H 2L0

Email: brian@putmanlistens.ca 

Jeff James

Telephone: (416) 671-8854

Address: 54 Breadalbane St S, Southampton, ON N0H 2L0

Email: adventeco@gmail.com 

Website: www.jeff-for-mayor.com

Luke Charbonneau

Telephone: (519) 386-9786

Email: electcharbonneau@gmail.com 

Website: www.lukecharbonneau.com  

Deputy Mayor

Name of Candidate
(in alphabetical order by first name)
Contact Information
Diane Huber

Email: dianehuber228@gmail.com

Odette Bartnicki

Telephone: (289) 937-1801

Address: 18 Lakeforest Dr, Southampton, ON N0H 2L0

Email: odetteforcouncil@icloud.com 

Vice Deputy Mayor

Name of Candidate
(in alphabetical order by first name)
Contact Information

Bud Halpin

Telephone: (519) 353-8898

Address:  PO Box 1749 Port Elgin, ON N0H 2C0

Email: budhalpin@gmail.com

Don Matheson

Email: donmatheson@bmts.com 

Port Elgin Ward Councillor

Name of Candidate
(in alphabetical order by first name)
Contact Information

Dane Buttenaar

Address: 136 High St, Southampton, ON N0H 2L0

Email: dasa@dasaproperties.ca 

Jordan MacKinnon

Telephone: (519) 385-0807

Address: 771 Briarwood Dr, Port Elgin

Email: jordan.mackinnon1@gmail.com 

Patricia Corrigan-Frank

Telephone: (519) 386-8243

Address: PO 1393, 225 Mill St, Port Elgin, N0H 2C0

Email: patricia4portelgin@gmail.com 

Rachel Stack

Telephone: (647) 232-9217 

Address:  646 Christopher Dr., Port Elgin, ON N0H 2C3 

Email: ElectStackPEWard@gmail.com

Tamara McDonald

Address: 225 Stickel St, Port Elgin, ON N0H 2C1

Email: tamaramcdonaldrmt@gmail.com 

Saugeen Ward Councillor

Name of Candidate
(in alphabetical order by first name)
Contact Information

Eric Tolton

Telephone: (519) 927-3447

Address: 333 Lake St, Southampton, ON N0H 2L0

Email: eric.tolton@gmail.com  

Neil Sarginson

Telephone: (519) 778-2275 

Address: Normanton Street, Saugeen Shores  

Email: neil.sarg.saugeen@gmail.com

Sterling Thiele

Telephone: (519) 386-1526

Email: thiele4council@gmail.com 

Southampton Ward Councillor

Name of Candidate
(in alphabetical order by first name)
Contact Information

Brenda Reeves

Telephone: (519) 386-8151

Email: brenda4councillor@gmail.com 

Website: brendareeves.ca  

Cathe McIntosh

Telephone: (807) 598-0933 

Email: catheforcouncil@gmail.com

Cheryl Grace

Telephone: (519) 389-7582 

Address: 225 Emerald Drive, Southampton, ON N0H 2L0 

Email: cherylgrace1@gmail.com 

Harry Mazmanian

Telephone: (519) 377-3013

Address: 142 Grenville Street South, Southampton, ON N0H 2L0 

Email: maz260@icloud.com 

John Divinski

Telephone: (519) 385-0080 

Address: 115-383 McNabb Street, Southampton, ON N0H 2L0 

Email: jd@bmts.com 

School Trustee - Bluewater District School Board

Name of Candidate
(in alphabetical order by first name)
Contact Information

Julia Bates

Email: juliaforboard@gmail.com

Katie Lutz

Address: Port Elgin

Email: katielutzfortrustee@gmail.com 

School Trustee - Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board

Name of Candidate
(in alphabetical order by first name)
Contact Information

Lucie Desbiens - ACCLAIMED

Address: 951 Wellington Street, Port Elgin, ON N0H 2C3 

Email: ldesbiens1956@gmail.com 

Candidates Certified by other Municipalities:

French Language Public District School Board - Conseil Scolaire Viamonde (Certified by City of Barrie)

  • Rachael Golem
  • Eric Lapointe

French Language Separate School Board - Conseil Scolaire Catholique Providence - Area 1 (Certified by City of Sarnia)

  • Michael Salvatore

Election Key Dates

Stay informed throughout the 2026 Municipal Election. Explore the key dates below and mark your calendar for important milestones.

Activity

Date

May 1, 2026

First day of the candidate nomination period

June 1, 2026

Final day for voters to update school support information with the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC)

August 12, 2026

Final day for voters to register online via Ontario's online portal, RegistertoVoteON.ca

August 13, 2026

Voters must register or update voter information directly with the Town’s Elections Team, contact us for more information.

August 21, 2026

Nomination Day (Nominations close at 2:00 p.m.)

October 7, 2026

Voter information letters will be delivered. If you are away throughout October 7 until 26, please contact the Elections Team after the voting period starts on October 19.

Voting Period

October 19, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. to October 26, 2026, at 8:00 p.m.

Election Day

October 26, 2026

Inaugural Meeting

November 16, 2026

Getting to Know Local Government

Understanding how local government works helps voters make informed choices and helps candidates decide if running for office is right for them. Learning the basics like who does what and how decisions are made helps build stronger, more informed communities.

 

Contact Us

Elections Team
600 Tomlinson Drive, P.O. Box 820
Port Elgin, ON N0H 2C0
Phone 519-832-2008 Ext. 100
Email elections@saugeenshores.ca