Voter Information

Who is Eligible to vote?

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 a property owner or tenant in the municipality

If you own a trailer in a campground, you may qualify to vote if you are entitled to use the land:

  • On Voting Day (October 26, 2026), or
  • For a period of six weeks or more during the year of the election.

If you meet these criteria, you may be considered a tenant of the trailer park and eligible to participate in the municipal election.

View the Trailer Owner Voting Eligibility Poster.

If you will be out of the country from October 7 until October 26 you are still eligible to vote. Please contact the Elections Team after the voting period opens October 19.

Voting Information Video

Register to Vote or Update Your Voter Information

Update your voter information: Residents can contact the Elections Team directly to update or correct their voter information.

Register to vote: To be added to the Voters' List, electors must visit the municipal office in-person with Form 24 (EL15) - Application to Amend Voters' List and acceptable identification proving your qualifying address. 

If you require accommodations, please contact the Elections Team to arrange an appointment. 

How will Voting Work?

The Town of Saugeen Shores will be using an internet and telephone voting system. Paper ballots will not be available.  

Electors will be able to vote online or by telephone during the coting period.

In alignment with Bruce County area municipalities, election services have been procured from Simply Voting, a Canadian-based eDemocracy provider located in Montreal. Simply Voting Inc. also provided voting services for the previous municipal election, allowing Saugeen Shores electors to experience a familiar and user-friendly voting process.

For more information about the security and reliability of Simply Voting, please review the  Integrated Electronic Voting Solutions for Municipal Voting Events document.

First, you must ensure you are registered to vote which can be done directly with our Elections Team.

Once you have confirmed you are on the voters' list here’s what you can expect:

  1. Receive your Voter Information Letter: This letter includes important information on how to vote by internet or telephone. This letter will be delivered October 7, 2026.
  2. Keep your voting PIN safe: Your Voter Information Letter will include a PIN
  3. Plan how and when you will vote: You will be able to vote by internet or telephone at any time throughout the election period.

Voting by internet allows you to vote from the comfort of your home anytime throughout the election period. Your Voting Information Letter will include a website to access via a web browser and the credentials necessary for authentication to securely cast your ballot. You will arrive at our secure voting site and need to authenticate yourself using your credentials.

Voting by telephone allows electors to vote without having access to the internet or modern technology, you simply need a phone with a touch-tone dial pad such as a landline or smart phone. Your Voting Information Letter will include a phone number to call and the credentials necessary for authentication to securely cast your ballot.

Voting Accessibility and Support

The Town's Elections Team is committed to ensuring the voting process is accessible to all voters. Review the accessibility supports available below. If you require additional assistance, please contact the Elections Team and we will work with you to help ensure you can access and participate in the election.

A Voting Assistance Centre will be available at the Pryde Aquatic and Wellness Centre (The AWC) in Port Elgin throughout the voting period to assist voters with internet voting. Voting kiosks will be available for those who need access to a computer or support casting their votes.

The AWC offers accessible parking and entrances, and members of the Elections Team will be available to provide assistance and answer questions throughout the voting process.

Voting Assistance Centre Hours:

  • Monday, October 19, 2026, 10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
  • Tuesday, October 20, 2026 - Friday, October 23, 2026, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
  • Saturday, October 24, 2026, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
  • Sunday, October 25, 2026, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
  • Monday, October 26, 2026, 8:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Free internet access for voters is available at Bruce County Public Library locations. Voters who require internet access to obtain election information or complete election related activities can visit any Bruce County Public Library location during their regular operating hours. 

Bruce County Public Library - Southampton Branch:

Address: 235 High St, Southampton, ON N0H 2L0
Phone Number: (519) 797-3586
Operating Hours

Bruce County Public Library - Port Elgin Branch:

Address: 708 Goderich St, Port Elgin, ON N0H 2C0
Phone Number: (519) 832-2201
Operating Hours

Our Elections Team is working with our long-term care homes to ensure residents are registered and able to vote.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who am I eligible to vote for in the municipal election?
Eligible voters in Saugeen Shores can vote for:
  • Mayor
  • Deputy Mayor
  • Vice-Deputy Mayor
  • Two Ward Councillors representing the ward where you reside, rent, or own property
  • One School Board Trustee based on MPAC school support

Your ward is determined by the address of the property where you live, rent, or own property in Saugeen Shores.

What ward do I live in?

All Wards Saugeen Township Ward 44, Port Elgin Ward 46, Southampton Ward 48

I am a non-resident elector and own property in multiple wards; can I vote in multiple wards?
If you are a non-resident elector and you own or rent properties in more than one ward in Saugeen Shores, you must choose one ward to vote in. Make sure that you are on the voters’ list for that qualifying address.
I am a resident elector and own property in multiple wards; which ward am I eligible to vote in?
As a resident elector, you must vote in the ward where you live. If you are also the owner or tenant of a property in another ward or your spouse owns or rents a property in another ward, you are not permitted to vote in that ward instead.
Why am I not on the voters' list?
There are several reasons why you may not appear on the voters' list. The Preliminary List of Electors is now provided by Elections Ontario using its Permanent Register of Electors. Despite efforts to maintain accurate records, voter lists may not include every eligible elector. If your name is missing, you can apply to be added to the voters' list through the legislated revision process.
Who is responsible for creating the preliminary list of electors?
As of January 1, 2024, Elections Ontario became responsible for generating the Preliminary List of Electors for municipal and school board elections. Previously, this responsibility belonged to MPAC. Elections Ontario now maintains the Permanent Register of Electors used for provincial, municipal, and school board elections.
Why did responsibility for the preliminary list of electors change?
The change was made by the Province of Ontario through amendments to the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 under Bill 204, the Helping Tenants and Small Businesses Act, 2020. The goal was to create a single, province-wide register of electors maintained by Elections Ontario.
What did the Town do to improve the accuracy of the voters' list?
After receiving the Preliminary List of Electors on August 16, 2026, the Town's Elections Team conducted a detailed review before the legislated deadline of September 1, 2026. Staff corrected obvious errors where permitted, including duplicate records, address issues, missing birthdates, and other apparent inaccuracies.
How do I update my voter information?
Up until the close of voting on Voting Day, eligible electors can apply to:
  • Add their name to the voters' list
  • Remove a name from the voters' list
  • Correct or update voter information
Applications can be submitted through the legislated revision process established under the Municipal Elections Act.
I'm a seasonal resident or non-resident property owner. Why might I not appear on the voters' list?
Elections Ontario's Permanent Register of Electors is primarily designed for provincial elections, which have different voter eligibility rules than municipal elections. As a result, some seasonal residents and non-resident property owners who are eligible to vote municipally may not automatically appear on the Preliminary List of Electors and may need to be added through the revision process.
Is the voter list discrepancy issue unique to Saugeen Shores?
No. Municipalities across Ontario have reported concerns regarding missing non-resident property owners and seasonal residents on municipal voters' lists. This is a province-wide issue that has been identified by numerous municipalities.
What is the Town doing to help voters?
The Town has been conducting voter education and outreach since April 2026. Efforts have included:
  • Website updates
  • Social media campaigns
  • Media releases
  • Candidate information sessions
  • Direct communications with electors
The Town will continue reminding residents, seasonal residents, and non-resident property owners to verify and update their voter information throughout the election period.
What should I do if I think my information is incorrect?
If your name is missing or your information is incorrect, please contact the Town or use the available voter registration and revision tools to update your information as soon as possible. The revision process remains open until the close of voting on Voting Day. Checking your voter information early is the best way to ensure you're ready to vote.

Why is the Town using internet and telephone voting?
The Municipal Elections Act, 1996 allows municipalities to use alternative voting methods, including internet and telephone voting. Council has approved these voting methods for the 2026 Municipal Election through the Town's election procedures.
Since 2018, the Town of Saugeen Shores has utilized internet and telephone voting for municipal elections. The 2026 Municipal Election represents the Town's third election cycle using this voting method, with no reported issues affecting the integrity or administration of the election process.
Internet and telephone voting are intended to improve accessibility, convenience, and voter participation while maintaining appropriate security measures.
How does the Town protect the integrity and security of the election?
The Town of Saugeen Shores and its election services provider, Simply Voting, use a combination of administrative, technical, and procedural safeguards designed to protect the election process.
These measures include secure voter authentication, encryption, audit logging, controlled system access, routine testing, and monitoring throughout the election.
While no voting system can eliminate all risk, multiple safeguards are in place to help protect election integrity.
Will the election system be independently tested or audited?
Simply Voting's platform undergoes regular third-party penetration testing and source code security audits. The company also maintains SOC 2 compliance and uses independent security monitoring and scanning services.
In addition, the Town conducts its own testing and verification of election data, ballot configuration, voter information, and election procedures before voting begins.
Can candidates and scrutineers observe election testing and vote tabulation?
The rights and responsibilities of candidates and scrutineers are governed by the Municipal Elections Act and the Town's 2026 Municipal Election Procedures. Information regarding testing, voting processes, and tabulation procedures is provided in accordance with those requirements.
Will the Town publish election security reports or audit information?
The Town is committed to transparency and will comply with all legislative reporting and disclosure requirements. Some security-related information may not be publicly released where privacy, confidentiality, or cybersecurity considerations apply.
How are ballots counted while keeping votes secret?
The voting system records voter participation separately from ballot content. This allows election officials to confirm that an eligible voter has voted and reconcile participation records with ballot totals while maintaining ballot secrecy.
How can a recount be conducted without paper ballots?
Any recount would be conducted in accordance with the Municipal Elections Act and the Town's 2026 Municipal Election Procedures. The legislation provides a framework for recounts when alternative voting methods such as internet and telephone voting are used.
Can someone change the voter list, ballot, or election results?
Access to election administration functions is limited to authorized election officials. Administrator activity is logged and auditable, and access to election systems is subject to security controls, monitoring, and established procedures.
What should I do if I believe someone has used my voting PIN?
Contact the Elections Office immediately.
Election officials will investigate the situation and take any actions available under the Municipal Elections Act and the Town's election procedures. Voters can help protect their vote by keeping their PIN confidential and reporting any concerns as soon as possible.
Can someone vote more than once?
The voting system is designed to allow only one ballot to be accepted for each eligible voter. Once a ballot has been successfully cast, the system records that the voter has participated and prevents additional ballots from being accepted for that voter.
How is my privacy protected during online and telephone voting?
Simply Voting advises that voter identity information and ballot selections are stored separately. This separation helps preserve ballot secrecy and ensures that individual votes cannot be connected to specific voters through the voting process.
What happens if someone commits voter fraud?
Attempting to vote unlawfully, impersonate another voter, misuse a voting PIN, or otherwise interfere with the election process may constitute an offence under the Municipal Elections Act and the Criminal Code of Canada.
Allegations of election-related offences may be investigated and referred to the appropriate authorities and may result in significant penalties.
Where is election data stored? 
Simply Voting advises that election data is protected through encrypted communications, encrypted data storage, routine backups, and redundant Canadian data centres designed to support system reliability and security.

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