Municipal Elections

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

Accessible Elections

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

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

Maps

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

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

Office Hours: 8:15 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.