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Municipal Elections

HomeTownship HallMunicipal Elections
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Elections

How do municipal elections work?

Councillors are elected through the “first-past-the-post” system, meaning voters each choose one candidate for a position, and the candidate with the most votes is elected. They may be elected according to ward or “at-large”, depending on the municipality. 

What do potential voters and candidates need to know?   

Elections for municipal government are held every four years on the fourth Monday of October. The length of term for all municipal elected officials is four years. The current term started in 2022 and ends in 2026. 

In municipal elections in Ontario, unlike other levels of government, candidates are not elected to represent a political party. 

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 an owner or tenant in the municipality

Eligible candidates for municipal elections must be:

  • A Canadian citizen and at least 18 years old 
  • A resident of the municipality, a non-resident owner or tenant of land in the municipality or the spouse of such non-resident owner or tenant
  • Not legally prohibited from voting; and not disqualified by any legislation from holding municipal office.

Next Election - 2026

Nominations for the the next municipal election open on January 1, 2026. Candidates are also required to make an appointment to file their nomination as well as pay a fee of $100 ($200 for head of council).

The next municipal election will be held Monday, October 26, 2026. 

Past Election - 2022

 Election Results
  • Declaration of Elected Candidates
  • Certificate of Election Results

  • Certificate of Election - District 

  • Election Turnout

 Accessible Elections
  • Election Accessibility Plan
  • Election Accessibility Report
 Financial Statement - Auditor's Report
Pursuant to Section 88 (9.1) of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, the clerk shall make the documents filed under sections 88.25, 88.29 and 88.32 available at no charge for viewing by the public on a website or in another electronic format as soon as possible after the documents are filed.

 

View the 2022 Municipal Election Financial Statements 
 Muskoka Compliance Audit Committee 
About the Muskoka Compliance Audit Committee

The Muskoka Compliance Audit Committee receives and makes decisions on applications for compliance audits of candidates' and registered third parties 2022 municipal election campaign finances and any by-election campaign finances during the 2022 to 2026 term of Council.

The Committee is also responsible for reviewing reports submitted by the Clerk with respect to any contributor who appears to have contravened any of the contribution limits to a candidates' or registered third party election campaign.

The Muskoka Compliance Audit Committee is established pursuant to Section 88.37 of the Municipal Elections Act and pursuant to the Muskoka Compliance Audit Committee 2022-2026 Terms of Reference as established by the Town of Huntsville, to deal with the matters provided for in Sections 88.33, 88.34, 88.35, and 88.36 of the Municipal Elections Act.

Members

The Muskoka Compliance Audit Committee is comprised of three (3) voting members of the public and one (1) additional alternate member as follows:

  • Joan A. Pajunen
  • Bob Panizza
  • Beverley Webb
  • Rosemary King (Alternate Member)

Compliance Audit Applications and Procedures

  • 2022-2026 Terms of Reference 
  • 2022-2026 Administrative Practices and Procedures
  • Application for a Compliance Audit - Candidate’s Election Campaign Finances
  • Application for a Compliance Audit - Registered Third Party’s Election Campaign Finances

Meetings

Meetings are held in accordance with the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 and the Township of Muskoka Lakes. View our Government Portal for upcoming meeting dates, if applicable, agendas and minutes.

Notice of Meetings and Decisions 

  • July 24, 2023
  • Muskoka Compliance Audit Committee Meeting July 24, 2023 - Notice of Decisions
  • November 22, 2023
  • Muskoka Compliance Audit Committee Meeting November 22, 2023 - Notice of Decision
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 Contact Information
For more information about Municipal Elections at the Township of Muskoka Lakes including historical election data, please contact:
Crystal Paroschy, Director of Legislative Services/Clerk

Township of Muskoka Lakes
#1 Bailey Street, P.O. Box 129
Port Carling, Ontario, P0B 1J0
Telephone: 705 765-3156 Ext. 211
Fax: 705-765-6755
Email the Clerk

Cheryl Hollows, Manager of Legislative Services/Deputy Clerk 

Township of Muskoka Lakes
#1 Bailey Street, P.O. Box 129
Port Carling, Ontario, P0B 1J0
Telephone: 705 765-3156 Ext. 212
Fax: 705-765-6755
Email the Manager of Corporate Services/Deputy Clerk 

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© 2019 Township of Muskoka Lakes, 1 Bailey St., P.O. Box 129, Port Carling, ON, P0B 1J0, T: 705-765-3156 F: 705-765-6755

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