Elections

The next municipal election will be held Monday, October 26, 2026. 

Register to vote or update your information on the voters' list

To add your name to the voters' list or update your information, please visit the Elections Ontario Portal. You will need one piece of ID that has both your name and Ontario home address.

Elections Ontario Voter Registration

What do potential voters and candidates need to know?   

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. 

Eligible voters for municipal elections must be: 

  • A Canadian citizen and at least 18 years old
  • A resident OR a property owner or tenant OR the spouse of an owner or tenant in the municipality

Eligible candidates for municipal elections must be:

  • A Canadian citizen and at least 18 years old 
  • A resident of the municipality, a non-resident owner or tenant of land in the municipality or the spouse of such non-resident owner or tenant
  • Not legally prohibited from voting; and not disqualified by any legislation from holding municipal office.

Council

Saugeen Shores Council consists of a Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Vice Deputy Mayor, and six Ward Councilors, all elected for a four-year term. All voters may cast ballots for the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Vice Deputy Mayor, and two Ward Councillors based on where they live or own property in Saugeen Shores.

School Board Trustee

Voters in Saugeen Shores also vote for their school board trustee.

Property owners in Ontario are required to support a school board, even if they do not have children or their children are not currently attending school. In the case of a residential property occupied by tenants, the tenants can direct the school support for that property. By default, school support is directed to your municipality’s English Public School Board.

The Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) is legislatively required to collect school support information and provide it in the assessment roll to every municipality and school board. By ensuring that you are supporting the school board of your choosing, you will be able to vote in the next municipal and school board election for trustees in that school board. Property owners, occupants, and tenants can update their school support designation online at mpac.ca/schoolsupport.

 In Saugeen Shores, the school boards are Bluewater District School Board and Bruce-Grey Catholic School Board.  

  • May 1, 2026 - First possible day of the candidate nomination period that ends on Nomination Day
  • June 1, 2026 - Final day for voters to update school support information with the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC)
  • August 21, 2026 - Nomination Day (Nominations close at 2:00 p.m.)
  • October 26, 2026 - Election Day

Vote by Internet and Telephone 

The upcoming Municipal Election will be held on Monday, October 26, 2026. The Town of Saugeen Shores will be utilizing an internet and telephone voting system. Paper ballots will not be used.  

You will be able to vote online or by telephone from Monday October 19, 2026 beginning at 10:00 a.m. and concluding on Monday October 26, 2026 at 8:00 p.m. 

A Voter Help Centre will be set-up at The Plex during the voting period for assistance with internet voting. 

Potential Candidate Information

For those considering running for office, there are a number of associations and organizations that develop helpful resources. Many of these resources are still being updated for the 2026 election. Check back often to see what's available! 

Thursday, May 14, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. 
Bruce County Administration Centre, 30 Park Street Walkerton, ON 

Bruce County’s eight area municipalities are partnering to host a candidate information session in preparation for the 2026 municipal and school board election.  

New, returning or interested candidates and members of the public are invited to learn more about the roles and responsibilities of council, who is eligible to run, the nomination process, and campaign finance and advertising rules. The meeting agenda includes presentations from the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing and municipal consultant Clerks on Call. Attendees are encouraged to send questions in advance to their municipal clerk.  

Those wishing to participate in the session virtually can register by emailing clerk@saugeenshores.ca  

Association of Municipalities Ontario (AMO) 

Relevant Legislation

Contact Us

Town of Saugeen Shores
600 Tomlinson Drive, P.O. Box 820
Port Elgin, ON N0H 2C0
Phone 519-832-2008
Toll Free 1-866-832-2008
Fax 519-832-2140