Election Candidate Application Process

To run for mayor or councillor, on the day the nomination is filed, a person must be

• a Canadian citizen
• at least 18 years of age
• a resident of the Town of Oakville, or an owner or tenant of land in the Town of Oakville, or the spouse of the owner or tenant
• not legally prohibited from voting
• not disqualified by any legislation from holding municipal office

Who cannot be a mayor or council candidate

• 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
• a candidate who failed to file the necessary financial statement or exceeded the prescribed spending limit in the last municipal election or by-election

To run for as a school boards trustee a person must be

• A Canadian citizen
• At least 18 years of age
• A resident in the area of jurisdiction of the board
• Not legally prohibited from voting
• Not disqualified by any legislation from holding municipal office
• Who cannot be a school board trustee candidate

The following people are disqualified from being elected as a school board trustee, or from holding office on any school board

• A clerk, treasurer, deputy-clerk or deputy-treasurer of any municipality within the area of jurisdiction of the school board except those on an unpaid leave of absence
• 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
• A candidate who failed to file the necessary financial statement or exceeded the prescribed spending limit in the last municipal election or by-election
• School board employees
  • Employees of any school board (including supply teachers) are disqualified from being elected as school board trustee or from holding office on any school board, except during a leave of absence.
  • The employee must be on a leave of absence before filing their nomination paper.
  • They must provide the Clerk with documentation showing that they have taken the leave of absence and the effective date

Friday, May 1

First day to file nomination papers for the offices of Mayor, Councillor and School Board Trustee

• once the nomination paper is filed with the Town Clerk, the candidate can start raising and spending money on their campaign
• preliminary spending limit provided to candidates
• preliminary contribution limit provided to candidates running for Mayor and Councillor (does not apply to School Board Trustee candidates)

Friday, August 21 at 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Deadline for candidates to:

• file a nomination
• withdraw a nomination
• change office

Monday, August 24

Last day for Clerk to certify nomination papers

Monday, October 26

Voting day

Monday, November 14

2022-2026 Term of Council ends.

Thursday, December 31

End of campaign period

To file a nomination, you must provide

• completed nomination paper;
• at least 25 declaration of endorsements (mayor and councillor candidates only). It is recommended to collect more than 25.

Forms

• Forms will be available early 2026.

Candidates will be required to show photo identification containing the candidate’s full qualifying address within the municipality. This includes:

• Ontario driver’s licence
• Ontario photo card
• Current bank or credit card statement 
• Current utility bill 
• Current insurance policy

If an agent is filing a nomination on your behalf, the agent must provide the above documents as well as their own identification.

A nomination filing fee ($200 for mayoral candidates, $100 for councillor or school board candidates, paid by cash, credit or debit card, certified cheque or money order). 

Nomination fees are refunded to candidates once financial statement is filed, in accordance with the Municipal Elections Act.