2026 Municipal Election: List of Certified Candidates in Muskoka Lakes
Nominations are officially closed, as of Friday, August 21 at 2:00 p.m., and the candidates for the 2026 Municipal Election have now been certified by the Township Clerk. Explore the List of Certified Candidates and get to know who is running in Muskoka Lakes.
List of Certified Candidates
| Office | Name of Candidate |
|---|---|
| Mayor (1 to be elected) |
Peter Kelley (Acclaimed) View Declaration Of Acclamation To Office |
| District and Township Councillor (Ward A/Ward 1) (1 to be elected) |
Ruth Nishikawa |
| Glenn Zavitz | |
| Township Councillor (Ward A/Ward 1) (2 to be elected) |
Jeff Bird |
| Rick Flannigan | |
| Mary Ellen McIntyre | |
| Leslie Orchard | |
| District and Township Councillor (Ward B/Ward 2) (1 to be elected) |
Susan Mazan (Acclaimed) View Declaration Of Acclamation To Office |
| Township Councillor (Ward B/Ward 2) (2 to be elected) |
Allen Edwards |
| Gord Roberts | |
| Mitchell Shea | |
| District and Township Councillor (Ward C/Ward 3) (1 to be elected) |
Guy Burry |
| Barb Birdgeman | |
| Township Councillor (Ward C/Ward 3) (2 to be elected) |
Rob Bosomworth |
| Pam Jeffery | |
| Sally Moyer Kent | |
| Tanner McNabb | |
| David Skoric | |
| Trillium Lakelands District School Board Trustee (Georgian Bay, Gravenhurst, Muskoka Lakes) English-Public (1 to be elected) |
Esther Childs To be certified by the Clerk, Town of Gravenhurst |
| Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board Trustee (Ward 4) English-Separate (1 to be elected) |
Joshua Boutotte (Acclaimed) To be certified by the Clerk, Town of Bracebridge View Declaration Of Acclamation To Office |
|
Conseil scolaire public du Nord-Est de l'Ontario (Sector A) French-Public |
Bruce Cazabon (Acclaimed) Certified by the Clerk, Municipality of East Ferris View Declaration Of Acclamation To Office |
| Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir (Region of Simcoe-Muskoka) French-Separate (1 to be elected) |
Donald Blais To be certified by the Clerk, City of Barrie |
| View official notice, signed by the Township's Clerk |
|
Find Your Ward
The Township of Muskoka Lakes is divided into three wards. Your ward is determined by the location of your qualifying property and determines which candidates will appear on your ballot.
Not sure which ward you’re in? Use the Find My Ward online tool or call us at 705-765-3156.
You can also explore the certified candidates who have filed for nomination in the 2026 Municipal Election here: List of Candidates
Voting Period
The voting period for the 2026 Municipal Election will run from Wednesday, October 14 at 10:00 a.m. to Monday, October 26 at 8:00 p.m.
Voting will be available by internet and telephone throughout the voting period.
Voters can also visit the Election Help Centre at the Township Office, 1 Bailey Street, Port Carling, to use the dedicated voting computers and staff are available for assistance during the following hours:
|
Voting Period and Election Help Centre |
|
|---|---|
| Wednesday, October 14 | 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. |
| Thursday, October 15 | 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. |
| Friday, October 16 | 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. |
| Saturday, October 17 | 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. |
| Monday, October 19 | 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. |
| Tuesday, October 20 | 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. |
| Wednesday, October 21 | 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. |
| Thursday, October 22 | 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. |
| Friday, October 23 | 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. |
| Saturday, October 24 | 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. |
| Monday, October 26 | 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. |
|
All dates are 2026. All times are EST. |
|
Can I vote in Muskoka Lakes?
You are eligible if you:
- Are a Canadian citizen
- Are 18 years of age or older
- Live in the municipality, or you are a non-resident owner or tenant of land, or the spouse of a non-resident owner or tenant
- Are not otherwise prohibited from voting
You are not eligible if you:
- Are serving a sentence of imprisonment in a penal or correctional institution
- Are a corporation (corporations cannot vote)
- Are acting as an executor, trustee, or in another representative capacity
- Were convicted of a corrupt practice under Section 90(3) of the Municipal Elections Act and five years have not passed since that election
What Voters Should Do Now.
There are a few things you can do now to get ready to vote:
- Check your registered to vote: Once the Voter Lookup online tool is available (link coming soon), confirm that you are on the Voters’ List and that your information is correct. Even if you have voted in Muskoka Lakes before, voters are encouraged to check. Find the latest updates on the Voters’ List here.
- Get to know your candidates: Review the candidates running for Mayor and Councillor in your ward here: List of Candidates
- Watch your mailbox: Voter Information Letters are expected to begin arriving after September 30. Your letter will contain the information you need to vote by internet or telephone.
- Know when to vote: Voting opens Wednesday, October 14 at 10:00 a.m. and closes on Election Day, Monday, October 26 at 8:00 p.m.
- Stay informed: Subscribe for Election News to receive the latest election information and reminders directly to your inbox.
Questions? We're Here to Help.
For more information about municipal elections in the Township of Muskoka Lakes, please contact:
Clerks Department
705-765-3156
clerks@muskokalakes.ca
1 Bailey St., P.O. Box 129, Port Carling, ON, P0B 1J0
Crystal Best-Sararas, Director of Legislative Services/Clerk
705 765-3156 Ext. 211
Fax: 705-765-6755
Email the Clerk
Cheryl Hollows, Manager of Legislative Services/Deputy Clerk
705 765-3156 Ext. 212
Fax: 705-765-6755
Email the Deputy Clerk
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