Accessibility

 

The Corporation of the Town of Bancroft is committed to complying with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, S.O. 2005 (“AODA”) and all the standards under it in order to create a barrier-free Ontario, and further support the full inclusion of all persons as set out under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

 

The Municipal Election Act, 1996, requires the municipal clerk to respect the needs of electors and candidates with disabilities when they are planning and conducting an election. The clerk must also ensure that voting places are accessible.

 

The municipal clerk must prepare a plan for identifying, removing and preventing barriers that affect electors and candidates with disabilities. This plan must be available to the public before voting day.

 

Within 90 days after voting day, the municipal clerk must also issue a public report on the identification, removal and prevention of barriers that affected electors and candidates during the 2026 Municipal Election.

Resources

2026 Municipal Election Accessibility Plan

By-Law 74-2024 – Accessibility By-Law

Accessible Customer Service Standards Policy

Multi-Year Accessibility Plan

Accessible Customer Service Feedback Form

Count Us In: Removing Barriers to Political Participation - Quick Reference Guide to Accessible Campaign Information and Communication

 

Count Us In: Removing Barriers to Political Participation - Quick Reference Guide to Accessible Constituency, Riding Association, Central Party and Campaign Offices

 

Count Us In: Removing Barriers to Political Participation - Quick Reference Guide to Accessible All Candidates Meetings

Compliance Audit Committee

In accordance with the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 (MEA), the Town of Bancroft is required to have a Municipal Election Compliance Audit Committee to consider any applications received for a compliance audit of a candidate’s campaign finances or a registered third party advertisers campaign finances.

Any elector who is entitled to vote in an election and believes that a candidate or a registered third party advertiser has contravened a provision of the MEA relating to election campaign finances can apply for a compliance audit.

Role of the Compliance Audit Committee

The Municipal Election Compliance Audit Committee will:

▪        review and consider any applications received for a compliance audit of any candidate or registered third party advertiser

▪        determine whether the application should be granted or rejected within 30 days of receiving the application

▪        where the application is granted, appoint an auditor licensed under the Public Account Act, 2004 or eligible prescribed persons to conduct a compliance audit of the candidate’s or registered third parties’ election campaign finances

▪        consider the auditor’s report within 30 days of receiving it and:

1.       if the report concludes that the candidate or registered third party appears to have contravened a provision of the MEA relating to election finances decide whether to commence a legal proceeding against the candidate or registered third party for the apparent contravention;

2.       if the report concludes that the candidate or registered third party does not appear to have contravened a provision of the MEA relating to election finances, make a finding as to whether there were reasonable grounds for the application.

Resources

Compliance Audit Committee – Terms of Reference

Municipal Offices to be Elected

The Town of Bancroft has a seven (7) member Council and is comprised of the following:

Mayor (1)
Councillor - Bancroft Ward (3)
Councillor - Dungannon Ward (3)

Even though the Town of Bancroft is divided into wards, all offices represent the municipality as a whole. 

Candidates can run in any ward - you do not have to live in the ward to be elected as Councillor.

Nominations

The nomination period opens on May 1, 2026, and the last day to file a nomination is Friday, August 21, 2026, by 2 pm.

An appointment is recommended to file your nomination papers. Please call 613-332-3331 or email [email protected] to schedule an appointment. 

Filing your Nomination

To file your nomination, you must provide:

- a nomination form ( Form 1)
- the nomination fee (paid by cash, debit or certified cheque or money order payable to the Town of Bancroft)

Filing fees are $200 for the Head of Council (Mayor) and $100 for Councillors or School Board Trustees.

Candidates for office in the Town of Bancroft do not require any nomination endorsements.

Nomination fees are refunded to candidates once they file the required financial statement by the deadline.


Eligibility for Nomination

To run for position on Council, on the day the nomination paper is filed, you must be:
- A Canadian Citizen
- At least 18 years of age
- A resident of the Town of Bancroft or an owner or tenant of land in the Town of Bancroft, or the spouse of the owner or tenant
- Not disqualified by any legislation from holding Municipal Office

The following people are not eligible to be elected to Council:
- any person who is not eligible to vote in the municipality
- an employee of the municipality who has not taken an unpaid leave of absence effective the date nomination
- a judge of any court
- an MP, an MPP or a Senator
- an inmate serving a sentence in a penal or correctional institution
- a candidate who failed to file the necessary financial statements in the 2022 municipal election

Withdrawing a Nomination

If you decide to withdraw your nomination, you must notify the clerk in writing before the end of the nomination period ( 2 pm on August 21, 2026).

Even if you withdraw your nomination, candidates are still required to file a financial statement.

Resources

Notice of Nominations for Office - 2026

Town of Bancroft – 2026 Municipal Election Information for Candidates – Coming Soon

2026 Candidates Guide

Form 1 – Nomination Form

By-Law 24-2024 – Sign By-Law

By-Law 30-2026 - Use of Corporate Resources Policy

2026 Municipal Election Accessibility Plan

Training Opportunities

FREE Local Candidate Information Sessions

There are FREE workshops being hosted in our area, designed to give prospective candidates a clear and realistic understanding of what public office involves. Learn how municipal government works, the roles and responsibilities of members of Council, and the ethical and legal expectations of elected officials. The sessions will also cover campaign requirements, as well as the time and financial commitments involved in serving in this capacity.

These workshops are intended to help you make an informed decision about whether running for office is the right fit for you, and to help those who choose to run do so with confidence and clarity.

• - Tuesday, May 19, 2026
  Dungannon Recreation Centre
  26596A Highway 62 S, Bancroft
  6:00 – 9:00 p.m.

• 
  

• - Wednesday, May 20, 2026
  Huntingdon Veterans Community Hall
  11379 Highway 62, Ivanhoe
  6:00 – 9:00 p.m.

The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) is offering a series of free workshops for those considering running for municipal office in October 2026 election. 

Supporting Local Leadership in run up to the 2026 Municipal Election

Stream 1: For elected officials at the municipal level across Ontario who are considering re-election in 2026 and preparing their path forward. New dates added!

Stream 2:  For community members considering a run for municipal office in 2026-first-time candidates who want to build confidence before launching a campaign. Civic-minded leaders who want to explore whether elected office is right for them. New dates added!


Running for Municipal Office - Everything You Need to Know as an Underrepresented Candidate
This workshop will prepare you for municipal office and equip you with what to expect running as an under
represented candidate as well as key strategies for running a successful campaign.


Info Sessions for Youth Considering Running for Municipal Office

These sessions will provide insights and strategies to build your understanding and confidence around how to become a candidate and running a campaign. 

Internet and Telephone Voting

For the 2026 Municipal Election, the Town of Bancroft will be working with Neuvote Systems Inc., to provide eVoting services to eligible voters.

Voters will be able to cast their ballot in the municipal election via internet, telephone or in-person at an accessible Voter Help Centre during the October 19 – 26, 2026 voting period.

Internet and Telephone Voting provides:

     ▪    convenient and accessible voting;

     ▪    fast and accurate election results;

•             utilizes the latest technology and security advances to ensure confidence in the integrity of the voting process.

Internet Voting

Eligible voters may vote online, using a smart phone, tablet device, gaming device or computer, along with their date of birth, Personal Identification Number (PIN) and qualifying information, to access the internet address provided in their Voter Instruction Letter.

 

Telephone Voting

Eligible voters may vote using a touch-tone telephone, and the toll-free telephone number, date of birth, and the PIN contained in their Voter Information Letter to access an audio ballot.

 

Voting at Voter Help Centre

For those individuals without means to access voting via telephone or internet, or who require the assistance of a trained Election Official, a Voter Help Centre will be open to provide in-person internet voting opportunities via a laptop or tablet.

 

Security

An internet voting system must be consistent with the overarching principles of the MEA. According to case law, these principles are that:

• the secrecy and confidentiality of the voting process is paramount;
• the election shall be fair and non-biased;
• the election shall be accessible to the voters;
• the integrity of the voting process shall be maintained throughout the election;
• there is to be certainty that the results of the election reflect the votes cast;
• voters and candidates shall be treated fairly and consistently; and
• the proper majority vote governs by ensuring that valid votes be counted and invalid votes be rejected so far as reasonably possible.

The following are Key Dates in the 2026 Municipal & School Board Election Campaign:


Nomination Period for Candidates:

• May 1, 2026 to August 20, 2026; and (during office hours)

• Nomination Day: Friday, August 21, 2026 (9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.)

An appointment is recommended. Please call 613-332-3331 or email [email protected] to schedule an appointment.

Official List of Candidates Posted with any Declarations of Acclamation:

• August 24, 2026 after 4:00 p.m.
  
  

Third Party Advertising Registration Period:

• May 1, 2026 to October 23, 2026

An appointment is recommended. Please call 613-332-3331 or email [email protected] to schedule an appointment.

"Lame Duck" Period (Restricted Acts for Council - if Applicable):

• August 21, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. to November 14, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.

Election Signs Permitted in Compliance with Election Sign By-Law

• All signs should be removed by Thursday, October 29th, 2026. 

Preliminary List of Electors Released to the Public:

• September 1, 2026

Voting Period for Electors:

• Advanced Voting: Monday, October 19, 2026 to Sunday, October 25, 2026.
• Election Day: Monday, October 26, 2026 (voting closes at 8:00 p.m.)

Term of New Council:

• November 15, 2026 to November 14, 2030

Candidate and Third Party Financial Reporting Deadlines:

• Regular Reporting: March 30, 2027 at 2:00 p.m.
• Late Reporting (with $500.00 fee): April 29, 2027 at 2:00 p.m.

The Town of Bancroft will post the unofficial List of Candidates online and at the Municipal Ofice as candidates file their nomination papers.

Following Certifcation Day on Monday, August 24, 2026, the list of certified candidates will be posted online and at the Municipal Office

School Board Trustees

To run for a trustee position on a school board, on the day the nomination paper is filed, you must be:

 

▪    a resident within the jurisdiction of the board

▪    eligible to vote in a school board election

▪    a Canadian citizen aged 18 or older

▪    and you must meet any other qualifications to vote for the school board (for example, being a Roman Catholic, or holding French language rights).

 

Who is not eligible?

 

The following people are not eligible to be elected as a school trustee:

 

• any person who is not eligible to vote in the school board election
• an employee of a school board or a municipal official who has not taken an unpaid leave of absence and resigned (see below)

• a judge of any court
• an MP, an MPP or a senator
• an inmate serving a sentence in a penal or correctional institution

 

School board employees

You cannot work for a school board and be a trustee in Ontario at the same time. If you are an employee of any Ontario school board and you want to run for a trustee position on any school board in the province, you must take an unpaid leave of absence that begins the day you are nominated. If you are elected, you must resign from your job.

 

Municipal Officials

If you are a clerk, deputy clerk, treasurer or deputy treasurer of a municipality within the jurisdiction of a school board, you are not permitted to run for office as a trustee of that board unless you take a leave of absence. If you are elected, you must resign from your job.

 

Note for MPs, MPPs and Senators

If you are an MP, MPP or senator, you may file your nomination for municipal or school board office without resigning your current seat in parliament, the legislature or the senate. However, you must resign your seat by the close of nominations (2 p.m. on Friday, August 21, 2026).

If you are a federal or provincial cabinet minister, you must step down from cabinet prior to filing your nomination and must resign your seat by the close of nominations. If you have not resigned by nomination day, your nomination will be rejected and your name will not appear on the ballot.

 

Resources

Notice of Nomination for School Board Trustees

2026 Candidates' Guide

Form 1 – Nomination Paper

Third-Party Advertising

A third-party advertisement is an advertisement in any broadcast, print, electronic or other medium that promotes, supports or opposes a candidate, or a “yes” or “no” answer to a question on the ballot.

The Municipal Elections Act, 1996, sets out a framework of rules for third-party advertising.

Only those who have registered with the Municipal Clerk of the municipality where they want to advertise can incur expenses on third-party advertising. 

Registering as Third Party Advertiser

An individual or a representative of a corporation or trade union must file a Notice of Registration – Form 7, with the municipal clerk in person or by an agent. It must have an original signature – the form may not be a copy and may not be scanned and submitted electronically. There is no registration fee.

Registration Period

An individual, corporation or trade union can register to be a third-party advertiser beginning on May 1, 2026, up until the close of business on Friday, October 23, 2026.

Eligibility for Third Party Advertiser

The following are eligible to register as a third-party advertiser:

• any person who is a resident in Ontario
• a corporation carrying on business in Ontario
• a trade union that holds bargaining rights for employees in Ontario

Ineligible as Third Party Advertiser

A candidate who has filed a nomination for any municipal council or school board office cannot register to be a third-party advertiser in any municipality.

Groups, associations or businesses that are not corporations are not eligible to register and may not spend money on third-party advertising in municipal elections. 

Federal and provincial political parties cannot register to be third-party advertisers. 

 

Resources

2026 Third Party Advisers’ Guide

Form 7 – Notice of Registration – Third Party

Municipal Elections Act, 1996

By-law 24-2024 – Sign By-Law

VOTER INFORMATION

The next municipal election for the Town of Bancroft will be held on Monday, October 26, 2026.

Between Monday, October 19 to Monday, October 26, 2026, voters will be able to cast their ballots using Internet or Telephone Voting.

 

Voters’ List

Elections Ontario is responsible for maintaining the Permanent Register of Electors for Ontario, commonly known as the Voters' List. In order to vote in the upcoming Municipal or Provincial Election, you must be on the Voters' List.

Your name must be on the Voters' List in order to cast a ballot. Confirm, update or add your information through Election Ontario's RegisterToVoteON.ca by August 12, 2026.

If you want to add, remove, or change your listed information on or after September 1, 2026, you must contact your municipal clerk. 

If having your name and address available on the voters’ list would endanger your life, health or security, you can request that the Chief Electoral Officer redact your information. Please see the voters’ guide for more information.

Updating School Support

What is school support? Whether you own or rent your home, your property is linked to a school board – even if you don’t have children or your children aren’t currently attending school. While you’re not required to make a designation, you do have the option to choose which school board you support. If you don’t make a choice, your support will default to the English-Public school board.

To ensure your correct school support designation is provided to Elections Ontario in time for the municipal and school board elections on October 26, 2026, it should be reviewed and, if needed, updated by June 1, 2026. 

While Elections Ontario maintains the Permanent Register of Electors in Ontario for municipal and school board elections, the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) is legislatively required to collect school support information.

You can update your school support designation through MPAC's Online School Support Designationwebpage.

Click the "Register to Vote" symbol to confirm, update or add your information to the Register for provincial, municipal, district social services administration board and school board elections in Ontario. 


Voter Eligibility

You are eligible to vote if you are:

• A Canadian citizen; and
• At least 18 years old; and
• A resident in the Town of Bancroft; or
• A property owner or tenant or the spouse or same sex partner of an owner or tenant in the municipality during a specified time just before the election; and

You may only vote once in the Town of Bancroft municipal election regardless of how many properties you own or rent within the township. You may also vote in multiple Municipal Elections if you own property outside of the Town of Bancroft.

Voter Ineligibility

Individuals are prohibited to vote on Voting Day if they are: 

• Serving a sentence of imprisonment in a penal or correctional institution 
• A corporation 
• Acting as executor or trustee in another representative capacity, except as a voting proxy 
• Convicted of a corrupt practice described in section 90 of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996

Wards

The Town of Bancroft has two wards – Bancroft Ward & Dungannon Ward. You must vote in the ward where you live. If you are also the owner or tenant of a property in another ward or your spouse owns or rents a property in another ward, you are not permitted to vote in that ward instead.

If you are a non-resident elector and you own or rent properties in more than one ward in the municipality, you must choose one ward to vote in. Make sure that you are on the voters’ list for that qualifying address.

Students

There is a special rule for students who may be living away from home while they attend school. If you are a student and consider your “home” to be the place where you live when you are not attending school (that is, you plan on returning there), then you are eligible to vote in both your “home” municipality and in the municipality where you live while attending school.

How to Vote – Internet or Telephone Voting

The Town of Bancroft has approved the use of telephone and internet voting for the 2026 Municipal Election.

More information on how to vote will be provided closer to the Municipal Election.

Electronic Voting Assistance

If you do not have access to a computer to vote online or if you require assistance with electronic voting, a Voter Help Centre will be located at the Town of Bancroft Municipal Office. During the Voting Period, the Voter Help Centre will be open during regular office hours. On October 26, 2026, the Voter Help Centre will be open from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm.

 

Resources

2026 Election Accessibility Plan

2026 Voters’ Guide – Ontario Municipal Council and School Board Elections

2026 Town of Bancroft Municipal Election Procedures – Coming Soon

Please visit our 2022 Municipal Election Documents for more information