Elections

2026 Municipal and School Board Election:

The next municipal election will be held on Monday, October 26, 2026. Elections for municipal government are held every four years on the fourth Monday of October. The current term began in 2022 and will end in 2026. 

For more information on the municipal election, please visit the Association of Municipalities of Ontario.

Key Election Dates

Candidates who register with the Clerk will be provided a Candidate Information Package, including a certificate of the applicable interim maximum amount of expenses. Candidates can start incurring expenses once the certificate has been issued.

The Clerk’s of Huron County are organizing a joint Candidate Information Session. A meeting will take place at 6:30 p.m. at the Libro Hall in Clinton, ON.

On Nomination Day, nominations may only be filed between 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM.

A candidate who wishes to withdraw their nomination must notify the clerk in writing before 2:00PM.

All nominations to be examined and certified by 4:00 PM and declare the candidate(s) elected by acclamation.

Last day for reproducing the voters’ list and determining the revision procedures. On written request, the Clerk shall provide copies of the voters’ list to those referred to under subsection 23(3) of the Municipal Elections Act. On written request, the Clerk shall provide candidates with a copy of the part of the voters’ list that contains the names of the electors who are entitled to vote for that office. From September 1 until the close of voting on voting day (October 26), a person may submit an application to have their name added to or removed from the voters’ list, or to have their information on the voters’ list amended. From September 1 until the close of voting on voting day (October 26), a person may submit an application requesting that a deceased person’s name be removed from the voters’ list.

The Clerk shall prepare and distribute an interim list of the changes to voters’ list that were approved on or before September 20th - 30th, 2026.

Telephone and Internet voting will open.

The results of the election will be calculated and released to the public as soon as possible after 8:00PM.

The Inaugural Council Meeting will be held. The incumbent council will take their oath of office, and be sworn in.

List of Nominations/Unofficial List of Candidates

List of Nominations/Unofficial List of Candidates
Name of Candidate Office Date of Filing Address Contact Information
Steve Buchanan Mayor May 1, 2026 196 St. David Street, Goderich, Ontario N7A 1L8

Email: 
stevebuchanan@buchanancompany.ca

Phone: 519-643-6621
Trevor Bazinet Mayor May 6, 2026 153 Park Street, Goderich, Ontario N7A 1L1

Email: trevorbazinetgoderich@gmail.com 

Phone: 519-525-7570

Candidate Information

Discover how to run in the 2026 Election:

The first day to register as a candidate in the municipal and school board election is May 1, 2026 and ends August 21, 2026, at 2 PM. More information on the process to become a candidate will be provided closer to May 1. In order to be certified as a candidate you will need to:

  • be an eligible voter and on the voters list
  • provide proof of residence and citizenship
  • complete a nomination form
  • gather 25 endorsement signatures
  • pay a fee

Election Resources:

2026 Clerks Election Procedures

2026 Candidate Information Package

2026 Candidate Information Session

2026 Candidates Guide - Ontario Municipal Council and School Board Elections 

The Ontario Municipal Councillors Guide

Lead Where You Live

Notice of Nominations

Notice of Nomination for Office 2026

Notice of Nomination for School Board Election 2026 - Avon Maitland District School Board

Notice of Nomination for School Board Election 2026 - Huron-Perth Catholic District School Board

AMO's Free Campaign Readiness Workshops

As Ontario prepares for the October 2026 municipal elections, AMO is offering a dynamic lineup of information sessions and workshops to support aspiring candidates and current elected officials.

Whether you’re planning your first campaign, seeking re-election, representing an underrepresented community, or stepping forward as a young candidate, these programs are designed to meet you where you are—and help you move forward with confidence.

New June 2026 session dates have been added—don’t miss your chance to participate.

Dates:

  • Session 1 - June 16 (6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m.)
  • Session 2 - June 23 (6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m.)
  • Session 3 - June 25 (6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m.)
  • Session 4 - June 30 (6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m.)

This engaging four-part online series is designed for first-time candidates preparing to run in the 2026 municipal elections.

Participants will build the skills, resilience, and confidence needed to lead in today’s municipal environment through sessions focused on finding your purpose, managing conflict and building effective relationships, prioritizing mental health and wellbeing, and turning values into action through movement-building.

For full details, click here.

Additional June 2026 workshop date now available.

Date:

  • June 9 (6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m.)

Led by former municipal leaders, this session provide practical guidance and insider perspectives for those from underrepresented communities, while remaining open to all participants.

The workshop explore what it takes to become a candidate, key strategies for running a successful campaign, how to develop effective messaging, and ways to use community engagement to build visibility and support.

For full details, click here.

New June 2026 session date just announced.

Date:

  • June 2 (6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m.)

Facilitated by currently elected officials, these sessions are designed to empower young people considering public office.

Participants will gain insight into what it’s like to run for office as a young candidate, learn how to build a strong campaign, understand candidate requirements, and explore effective approaches to voter engagement.

For full details, click here.

Facilitated by Indigenous leaders with firsthand electoral experience, these sessions will provide insights and strategies to build your understanding and confidence around how to become a candidate and run a campaign.

Gain insight into what it’s like to run for municipal office as an urban Indigenous leader, explore key strategies for building a strong campaign, understand the requirements to become a candidate, and learn approaches to lead with cultural integrity and community connection.

For full details, click here.

How to Register

All programs are offered at no charge. Registration is required for each workshop or session.

We encourage you to share this opportunity with your networks and with anyone who may benefit from learning more about running for municipal office.

For more information or to register, please visit the AMO Education website or contact: events@amo.on.ca.

Eligible Voters 

Eligible voters for municipal elections must be: 

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

For any questions regarding the 2026 Municipal Election, please contact the Clerk's Department. 

Voters List

How to Update your Information:

Elections Ontario maintains the Permanent Register of Electors for Ontario, commonly known as the Register or Voters List. This list includes individuals who are eligible to vote in provincial and municipal elections across Ontario.

You can use Elections Ontario’s Voter Registration application to confirm, update, or add your information if you:

  • Have changed your name or address
  • Own or rent a new property
  • No longer own or rent a property
  • Want to remove your information from the Register or Voters List

Register today by visiting RegisterToVoteON.ca or call 1-866-242-3025.

Updating Your School Support:

As of January 1, 2024, the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) is no longer responsible for collecting voter information for municipal elections. However, MPAC is required to collect school support information.

Property owners in Ontario must designate support for a school system, even if they do not have children or if their children do not currently attend school. This designation appears on your Property Assessment Notice.

You can update your school support designation through MPAC’s Online School Support Tool. To learn more about school support, visit the MPAC website.

2022 Municipal Election

Certified Candidates Financial Statements 

Everyone that filed a nomination with the Town of Goderich to participate in the 2022 Municipal and School Board elections must file their financial statement with the Clerk after each election. These statements detail the income and expenses incurred during the candidate's campaign.

The completed financial statement must be submitted to the Clerk by 2:00 pm on March 31, 2023.

All submitted statements are public documents. The Clerk must retain the statements until the new Council takes office after the 2026 election.

2022 Candidate Financial Statements  

NAME OF CANDIDATE

OFFICE

LINK TO FORM 4

Elizabeth Petrie 

Councillor

Form 4

Myles Murdock 

Mayor  

Form 4

Chapin Koresec 

Councillor

Form 4

Shawn Thomson 

Councillor 

Form 4

Randy Carroll 

Councillor 

Form 4

Katrina Bos

Councillor

Form 4

Leah Noel 

Councillor

Form 4

Allison Segeren 

Councillor

Form 4

Matthew Hoy 

Mayor 

Form 4

John Thompson 

Councillor 

Form 4

Trevor Bazinet 

Deputy Mayor 

Form 4

Cohen Joseph

Trustee AMDSB

Form 4

Jim McDade

HP Trustee CDSB

Form 4

Stephen Tamming 

Deputy Mayor 

Form 4

Municipal Compliance Audit Committee

A joint Municipal Election Compliance Audit Committee has been established by the lower tier municipalities of Huron County. The Committee considers applications requesting compliance audits of candidates’ election campaign finances, any resulting auditors reports and the Clerk’s Report identifying apparent contribution contraventions in accordance with Sections 88.33, 88.34 and 88.35 of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996. The Municipal Election Compliance Audit Committee is an independent body appointed by Council.

Meetings are held on an as required basis if an application is received. 

  • Must be done by an elector who is entitled to vote in an election
  • Reasonable grounds that a candidate has contravened a provision of the Municipal Elections Act
  • Must be for a candidate in the municipal election within the applicable Municipality
  • Financial Statements must be filed prior to the submission of an application
  • Applications concerning election campaign finances for candidates in an area municipality need to be made to the appropriate Municipal Clerk 

  • The candidate's financial statement and auditor's report reflecting the candidate's election finances
  • The candidate's supplementary filing date, if any
  • The filing date for the final financial statement, or
  • The date on which the candidate's extension, if any, expires

  • Within 10 days of receiving the application, the Clerk forwards the application to the Municipal Elections Compliance Audit Committee (MECAC).
  • Within 30 days of receiving the application, the MECAC reviews it and decides whether it should be granted or rejected.
  • The decision of the MECAC may be appealed to the Superior Court of Justice within 15 days of the decision and the Court may make any decision the MECAC could have made.
  • If the MECAC decides to grant the application, an auditor -- who is licensed under the Public Accounting Act, 2004 or prescribed persons -- is appointed to conduct a compliance audit of the candidate's election campaign finances.
  • The auditor will conduct an audit of the candidate's election campaign finances and will prepare a report outlining any apparent contravention by the candidate. The report is provided to the candidate, the applicant and the Clerk.
  • Within 10 days of receiving the report, the Clerk forwards the report to the MECAC. The committee considers the report within 30 days and may commence any legal proceeding against the candidate for any apparent contravention.

For additional information on compliance audits, please see section 88 of the Municipal Elections Act

Town of Goderich Results of the 2022 Municipal Election

Official Election Results Unofficial Election Results

Form 19 - Notice of the Posting of the Voters' List

Municipal Elections Act, 1996

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the list of all persons entitled to be electors for the municipal elections in this municipality has been prepared by the Clerk’s office.

 As of September 1, 2022 all electors should ensure that their names and relevant information are correct on the Voters’ List.

 A person may make an application to the Clerk requesting that the person’s name be added to or removed from the Voters’ List or that information on the Voters’ List relating to the person be amended by completing and filing the prescribed form available at:

 The Office of the Clerk

The Town of Goderich

57 West Street

Goderich, ON N7A 2K5

 during regular office hours between September 1, 2022 and October 22, 2022 and from 10:00 am to the close of voting on October 24, 2022. The application shall be in writing on the appropriate form (Town of Goderich Form 8) available at the municipal office and shall be filed in person, by the applicant or his/her agent or by mail, by the applicant.

 Dated this 20th day of September, 2022.

 Municipal Clerk

Town of Goderich

Official List of Certified Candidates for Council

In accordance with section 35 of the Municipal Elections Act, the Clerk has examined each nomination that has been filed as of the close of the Nominations Period (August 19, 2022, at 2:00 p.m.). The Official List of Certified Candidates and the Clerk’s Declaration of Acclamations to Office are available now. 

Official List of Certified Candidates

Sign up for our Newsletter

Stay up to date on the Town's activities, events, programs and operations by subscribing to our Newsletter.

Sign Up Today!