Candidate Information

Loyalist Township Offices to be Elected 

• Mayor to be elected at large 
• Deputy Mayor to be elected at large
• One Councillor for Ward Ward 1 to be elected by ward
• One Councillor for Ward 2 to be elected by ward
• Three Councillors for Ward 3 to be elected by ward

Pending Loyalist Ward Boundary Changes

Loyalist Township undertook a Council Composition and Ward Boundary Review. The purpose of the ward boundary review was to review the existing electoral arrangements to develop an effective and equitable system of representation. Council composition, options for how Council representatives are elected, existing ward boundaries, and whether residents have equitable access to their elected representatives were reviewed under this project.

Currently, Loyalist Township’s Council comprises seven members, including the mayor (elected at-large), deputy mayor (elected at-large), and five councillors, elected in three wards. The ward boundaries follow the original borders of Amherst Island Township, Ernestown Township, and the Village of Bath prior to amalgamation in 1998 to form Loyalist Township. 

At the May 13, 2025 meeting, Loyalist Council enacted a By-law 2025-39 to establish a new ward boundary configuration in Loyalist Township. With the changes to the ward configuration, Loyalist Township would be divided into five wards. Council would be comprised of seven members, including the mayor (elected at-large), deputy mayor (elected at-large), and five councillors elected by Ward (one from each of the five wards).

The new ward configuration is being appealed to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) and until the appeal is withdraw or dismissed, or until the OLT makes an order affirming, amending or repealing the by-law, there are no changes to the existing Council composition or ward boundaries.

Follow the case: Ward Boundary Review | Engage Loyalist

Offices to be elected for School Board Trustees

School Board Offices for which Persons may be Nominated:

1. English Public School Board Trustee
2. English Catholic School Board Trustee
3. French Public School Board Trustee
4. French Catholic School Board Trustee

Who can run for office?

A person is eligible to be a candidate if they are,

• a resident of the Loyalist Township, or an owner or tenant of land in the Township, or the spouse of such an owner or tenant;
• a Canadian citizen;
• at least 18 years old; and
• not legally prohibited from voting or disqualified from being elected/holding office as a member of Council (see below).

A person is eligible to be a candidate in a municipal election if they are an eligible elector. A candidate must be eligible as of the day they are nominated and must remain eligible throughout the election period and, if elected, throughout the term of office.

An individual may file their nomination papers to become a candidate in the 2026 Municipal Elections beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, May 1, 2026 until 2 p.m. on Friday, August 21, 2026. Additional information regarding the nomination process and forms will be available in early 2026.

Who cannot be a candidate?

The following people are disqualified from being elected as a member of Council, or from holding office as a member of Council:

• an employee of the municipality unless they take an unpaid leave of absence beginning the day they are nominated and resign if elected to the office;
• a judge of any court;
• a member of the Provincial Legislature, the Federal House of Commons or Senate who has not resigned from their office by the close of nominations. Proof of resignation must be provided by the close of nominations or the Clerk will not certify the nomination; or
• a candidate who failed to file the necessary financial statement(s) in the last municipal election or by-election.

Who can run for office for School Board Trustee?

A person is eligible to be a candidate for School Board Trustee if they are,

• a Canadian citizen;
• at least 18 years old;
• a resident within the board's area of jurisdiction;
• a supporter of that school board; and
• not legally prohibited from voting.

Who cannot be a School Board Trustee candidate?

The following people are disqualified from being elected as a School Board Trustee or from holding office on any school board:

• an employee of the school board unless they take an unpaid leave of absence beginning the day they are nominated and resign if elected to the office;
• a clerk, treasurer, deputy-clerk or deputy-treasurer of any municipality within the area of jurisdiction of the school board except those on an unpaid leave of absence;
• a member of the Provincial Legislature, the Federal House of Commons or Senate who has not resigned from their office by the close of nominations. Proof of resignation must be provided by the close of nominations; or
• a candidate who failed to file the necessary financial statement(s) in the last municipal election or by-election.