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Election 2022

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On Oct. 24, 2022, Niagara residents will elect new local municipal councils and Regional Council representatives. Regional Council acts as the final decision-making body for Niagara Region and serves as the Board of Health.

Residents will also vote for school board trustees. School board trustees are representatives that help the school board fulfil its duties under the Education Act.

Ways to vote

Voting on Election Day is just one of the ways you can vote in Niagara. To make voting easier for all voters, options such as advance voting will be available.

To learn the different ways your city / town is accepting votes for the upcoming election, visit their website.

Who can vote

You can vote in the municipal election if you're a Canadian citizen and:

  • At least 18 years old
  • A resident of a local municipality in Niagara or a non-resident owner or tenant, or the spouse of such owner or tenant
  • Not prohibited from voting under any law

Election information by municipality

For information about candidates, advance polls and alternative voting options, visit your local municipality.

Who cannot vote

You're prohibited from voting if you're:

  • A corporation
  • Serving a sentence of imprisonment in a penal or correctional institution
  • Acting as executor or trustee or in another representative capacity, except as a voting proxy
  • Convicted of a corrupt practice described in section 90(3) of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996

Voting for students

If you're a student and consider your "home" to be the place where you live when you're not attending school, which means you plan on returning there, then you're eligible to vote in both your "home" municipality and in the municipality where you currently live while attending school.

If you're a student attending school in another city, check with the clerk of that municipality to find out what your voting options are.

As a student and a resident of Niagara, if you're unable to vote in the municipal election, you may appoint another elector as proxy to vote on your behalf.

Information for candidates

  • Municipal and school board election candidates nomination period

    From May 2 to Aug. 19, candidates interested in running in the 2022 municipal or school board elections can file their nomination papers with the clerk of the appropriate municipality. The following information applies to candidates looking to file nomination papers:

    • Nomination papers can be filed with any municipal clerk's office during business hours from May 2 to Aug. 19 2022, and between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Aug. 19
    • Nomination papers must be signed by the candidate and filed in person or by an agent with the clerk of the appropriate municipality
    • A filing fee of $200 for the head of council (mayor) and $100 for all other offices (regional councillor, councillor / alderman or school board trustee) is required at the time of filing
    • Each nomination paper must be endorsed by 25 eligible voters supporting the nomination, excluding school board trustee candidates
    • A candidate must be registered before they spend any money on a campaign or accept any contributions
    • In the event there is an insufficient number of certified candidates to fill the positions available in each municipality, nominations will be reopened by the appropriate clerk, for the vacant positions only

    Nomination papers can be picked up at any municipal clerk's office or downloaded:

  • Candidate's night - Thursday, Sept. 15

    The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, in partnership with Niagara's municipalities, is hosting an information session on Thursday, Sept. 15 at 6 p.m. at the Meridian Community Centre in Pelham.

    This session will focus on financial filing requirements for candidates running in the 2022 municipal election.

    The event is free and can only be attended in-person. The event will not be livestreamed.

  • Candidate's meeting

    The Ministry of Municipal Affairs hosted a free candidate information session on Thursday, April 28 at the Meridian Community Centre in partnership with Niagara's municipalities. The session provided potential candidates with an opportunity to become familiar with:

    • Role of Council
    • Municipal staff and school board trustees
    • Third-party advertising
    • Nomination process
    • Campaign period

    To learn more, watch the livestreamed recording of the meeting.

  • Key election dates

    Key date information applies to candidates or returning officer / municipal clerk.

    Election dates
    Item Date / Period Municipal Elections Act Reference
    Nomination period starts Monday, May 2 s. 33(4)
    Nomination day Aug. 19
    9 a.m. - 2 p.m.    		 s. 31
    Withdrawal of nominations Aug. 19
    Before 2 p.m.    		 s.36(a)
    Certification of nominations Aug. 22
    Before 4 p.m.    		 s.35 (1) (2); 35 (5) Before 4 pm on August 22
    Filing of notice of registration as third party advertiser with municipal clerks (not Niagara Region) May 1 - Oct. 19 s.88.6 (7)
    Declaration of acclamations Aug. 22
    After 4 p.m.    		 s.37 (1)
    Proxy applications may be filed with municipal clerks Aug. 22 - 24 s.44 (6)
    Voting day Oct. 24 s.5
    Declaration of results posted on website including number of declined and rejected ballots As soon as possible after voting day - Oct. 25 s.55 (4.1); s. 55 (4.1)2
    Term of office starts Nov. 15 s.6
    Regional Council inauguration Dec. 1 -
    First Regional Council Meeting Dec. 8 -
  • Third-party advertising

    Definition of Third Party Advertising means an advertisement in any medium that has the purpose of promoting or supporting or opposing a candidate(s) or a "yes" or "no" answer to a question on the ballot.

    It does not include:

    • An advertisement by or under the direction of a candidate
    • Where no expenses are incurred by the person / entity in relation to the advertisement
    • When given or transmitted by an individual to employees, by a corporation to its shareholders, directors, members or employees or by a trade union to its members or employees
    • Eligibility for Registration as Third Party Advertiser
    • Individuals, corporations or trade unions must formally register with the municipal clerk as a third party advertiser. The Region has no involvement with Third Party Advertisers.

    Registrations will be accepted by municipal clerks between the first day for filing nominations (May 2) and the Friday before voting day (October 21, 2022) in a regular election.

    The following are NOT permitted to register:

    • Municipal election candidates
    • Federal and Provincial political parties, constituency associations, registered candidates and leadership contestants
    • Federal and Provincial governments, a municipality or local board
    • Third Party Advertising Requirements
    • Must be registered at time of advertisement, and the ad must contain:
      • Name of registered third party
      • The municipality where the third party is registered
      • Telephone number, mailing address or email address at which the third party may be contacted about the ad
      • The broadcaster / publisher must retain records of the above information, a copy of the ad / means of reproducing it and the cost, for four years after the date of appearance and shall permit inspection of same during normal business hours

    Contributions cannot be made or accepted unless registered as a third party. Same contribution limits as those for candidates: $1,200 per registered third party and maximum of $5,000 total for registered third parties in the same municipality.

    Expenses are subject to a maximum expense limit (a prescribed formula based on the number of electors entitled to vote). Must record expenses and file a financial statement.

    Third party advertisers are subject to compliance audits in the event an application is filed with the Compliance Audit Committee.

    The municipality may require any person who contravenes the provisions for third party advertisers or caused / permitted the contravention, including the owner or occupier of the land on which the contravention occurred, to remove or discontinue the advertising.

    There are similar penalties as those for candidates for financial statement default.

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