Candidates
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Candidates may run for Mayor, Councillors, or for School Board Trustees in the 2026 Municipal Election.
If you want to run for municipal office, you need to be nominated and meet certain requirements. See who can and can't be a candidate, and how to get nominated.
Who can run for office
To qualify as a candidate, you must:
- Be a Canadian citizen
- Be at least 18 years old
- Live in Kenora, or own or rent property in Kenora (or be married to someone who does)
- Not prevented from voting by any law
Who can't run for office
The following are not eligible to be candidates in the municipal election:
- A municipal employee, unless they take an unpaid leave starting the day they are nominated, and resign if they are elected. The employee must give the City Clerk proof of their leave and its start date when filing their nomination.
- A judge of any court
- A member of the provincial legislature, Senate, or House of Commons
- Someone serving a prison sentence
- Someone who is no longer a Canadian citizen
- Someone who doesn't live in Kenora, doesn't own or rent property there, and isn't married to someone who does
- Someone who isn't allowed to vote under the law
- A candidate in a previous election who did not file the required campaign expense documents, did not pay to the clerk a surplus from a previous campaign, or exceeded allowable expenses.
File your nomination
Here's how to file your nomination forms:
- You have to fill out an official nomination form. You can't raise or spend any campaign money until you've filed it.
- You can file your nomination between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. with the Office of the Clerk/Returning Officer at City Hall between Friday, May 1, 2026 and Friday, August 21, 2026.
- You or your agent must file the nomination forms in person and show identification. You can book an appointment to file your nomination by contacting the City Clerk/Returning Officer at 807-467-2295 or hpihulak@kenora.ca.
- When filing your nomination, you must:
- Complete the Nomination Form 1.
- Complete the Endorsement of Nomination Form 2. This form is only for candidates for Mayor and Councillor.
- Complete the Consent to Release Personal Information Form EL52A.
- Pay the nomination fee of $200 for Mayor, or $100 for Councillor, or School Board Trustee. Payment can be made by cash, debit, credit, certified cheque or money order.
- You are responsible for making sure your nomination form is complete and accurate. Do not sign any forms before filing your nomination.
- You need at least 25 people to sign your Endorsement of Nomination Form 2. Each person who signs:
- Can support more than one candidate.
- Must be eligible to vote in Kenora on the day they sign.
- The City Clerk/Returning Officer approves all nominations.
- On Nomination Day, Friday, August 21, 2026, nomination forms may only be submitted with the Office of the Clerk/Returning Officer from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Note: You'll get your nomination fee back if you file your campaign financial statement on time. Nomination papers are public; anyone can view them through the Office of the Clerk/Returning Officer at City Hall.
Withdraw your nomination
Here's how to withdraw your nomination papers:
- Withdraw your nomination in writing before 2:00 p.m. on Nomination Day, Friday, August 21, 2026.
- Submit your withdrawal in person. You might need to show identification.
Nomination forms
Download Nomination Form 1 Download Endorsement of Nomination Form 2 Download Consent to Release Personal Information Under MFIPPA EL52A
Campaign rules
The City of Kenora has rules about when and where you can put up election signs, and when to take them down. Become familiar with the Election Sign By-law so you know the rules under the General Prohibitions.
Campaign donations and expenses
There are specific rules for candidates regarding donations and expenses.
After filing your nomination forms, candidates will receive information from the City Clerk/Returning Officer outlining the maximum amounts you may donate to your own campaign and the maximum amount you may receive from eligible donors.
Candidates will also receive information and forms regarding financial statements that must be filed at the end of the campaign period.
More information on campaign finances can be found in the Municipal Elections Act and Ontario's 2026 Candidates' Guide.
Candidate resources
View additional information for candidates of the municipal election on our Election Resources by AMO page and:
Contact Us
City of Kenora
1 Main Street South
Kenora ON P9N3X2
Phone: 807-467-2000
After hours: 807-467-2080
8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Monday to Friday
Closed on Holidays
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