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Online and advanced polls are now open. For more information about voting locations and hours as well as how to vote, please visit the City’s Voter Information webpage.
The parking lot at Cowan Park Sportsplex is currently under construction. Accessible parking is not available and the main entrance is not fully accessible. Please read our latest update for more information.
Nomination Period and Candidate Certification Update
The nomination period for the 2026 Municipal and School Board Election has now closed for the offices of:
Please visit the City of Sarnia for information on nominations for the Conseil scolaire Viamonde (French Public Trustee) position.
A final list of certified candidates has been published on the List of Candidates page.
For those considering running for office, there are several associations and organizations that develop helpful resources. Many of these resources are still being updated for the 2026 election.
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing Guides
Federation of Canadian Municipalities - Municipal Elections in Canada: A Guide for Women Candidates
Association of Municipalities Ontario (AMO)
AMO Municipal Election information, guides, and resources
When You Believe, They Believe
We All Win - Diversity on Council
Healthy Democracy Project: Ready, Set, Run!
Candidate Workshops - AMO offers a number of online workshops for candidates and potential candidates
Relevant Policies and Legislation
GA028 - Rules for the Use of Municipal Resources During the Election Period
EL Policy 01 - Election Signs and Other Election Advertising
Scrutineers and Candidates at Voting Locations
Candidates are welcome to observe voting processes and may appoint scrutineers to do so on their behalf.
If you choose to attend a voting location for observation purposes, the following information outlines what you need to know.
Election officials are responsible for administering the election and managing voting operations. Candidates and scrutineers may observe election activities but must not interfere with the voting process.
Please note: For the purposes of these requirements, a candidate who is observing at a voting location is considered a scrutineer and counts toward the maximum number of scrutineers permitted for that candidate at that location.
Candidates and scrutineers who wish to remain at a voting location in an observation capacity must identify themselves to the Managing Deputy Returning Officer (MDRO) upon arrival.
To act as a scrutineer, you must have:
Please keep these documents available and be prepared to present them upon request.
Candidates attending solely to cast their own ballot are not required to identify themselves as a candidate or scrutineer. These requirements apply only to individuals who intend to remain at the voting location to observe election proceedings.
Candidates may appoint scrutineers to observe voting activities at polling locations.
Each candidate may have one scrutineer present for each vote tabulator in operation. If a candidate attends in an observation capacity, they count toward this total.
For example, at a location with two vote tabulators, a candidate may have:
If the permitted number has already been reached when a candidate arrives, one of the candidate's scrutineers must leave before the candidate may remain as an observer.
The maximum number permitted at each location is:
| Polling Location | Maximum Number Permitted Per Candidate |
|
Advance Polls (Goff Hall, Oct. 10, 13-16)
|
1 |
|
Algonquin Public School (Oct. 26)
|
2 |
|
Cowan Park Sportsplex (Oct. 26)
|
2 |
|
Unifor Hall (Oct. 26)
|
3 |
|
Goff Hall (Oct. 26)
|
3 |
Candidates and scrutineers may:
While observing election proceedings, candidates and scrutineers must not:
While observing, you must never:
If you have a concern regarding election procedures, please raise it with the MDRO. Election officials will document and address procedural objections in accordance with established election procedures.
Candidates and scrutineers are expected to remain respectful and allow voting operations to continue uninterrupted while concerns are being addressed.
Contact Us
City of Woodstock
P.O. Box 1539, 500 Dundas Street
Woodstock, ON N4S 0A7
Phone: 519-539-1291
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