Candidates

• Mayor to be elected at large 
• One Councillor for Ward 1 to be elected by the eligible electors in Ward 1
• One Councillor for Ward 2 to be elected by the eligible electors in Ward 2
• One Councillor for Ward 3 to be elected by the eligible electors in Ward 3
• One Councillor for Ward 4 to be elected by the eligible electors in Ward 4
• One Councillor for Ward 5 to be elected by the eligible electors in Ward 5
• One Councillor for Ward 6 to be elected by the eligible electors in Ward 6

Nominations must be submitted on the prescribed forms (to be available soon) and shall be filed IN PERSON or by an AGENT with the Clerk at the Town of Aurora Administration Office located at 100 John West Way, Aurora between

• During regular office hours by appointment from May 1, 2026 and August 20, 2026; and
• Between 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Nomination Day, Friday, August 21, 2026

Nominations must be accompanied by the prescribed nomination filing fee of $200.00 for the office of Mayor and $100.00 for all other offices. The filing fee is payable by cash, credit card, certified cheque, and debit.

 A nomination for Council office must be signed by the candidate and endorsed by 25 persons eligible to vote in an election for an office within the municipality.

No person who proposes to be a candidate may solicit or accept contributions for election purposes or incur campaign expenses until a nomination paper has been filed.

Download each package individually or choose "All Packages Combined (Zip file)" to download all packages, combined.

1. Nomination Procedures
2. Nomination Checklist for Candidates
3. Form 1 - Nomination Paper
4. Form 2 - Endorsement of Nomination
5. Form EL 300A Declaration of Qualifications for Municipal Candidates
6. Form EL300B Declaration of Qualifications for Trustee Candidates
7. Form EL301 Consent to Release Personal Information
8. Form EL302 Request for Voters' List and Declaration of Proper Use of the Voter's List
9. Form EL303 Authorization for Agent to File Nomination

All Packages Combined (Zip file)

• English Public School Board Trustee (York Region District School Board Trustee)
• English Catholic School Board Trustee (York Catholic District School Board Trustee)
• French Public School Board Trustee (Conseil scolaire Viamonde Trustee)
• French Catholic School Board Trustee (Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir)

Who can run for office?

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

• a resident of the Town of Aurora, or an owner or tenant of land in the Town, 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.

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.

The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) is offering a series of workshops for people thinking about running for municipal office in the October 2026 elections. These are virtual workshops held at various times to provide useful insights and strategies to support you in getting your name on the ballot:

• Running for Municipal Office - Everything You Need to Know as an Underrepresented Candidate | AMO
• Healthy Democracy Leadership Series: Supporting Local Leadership in run up to the 2026 Municipal Elections. 
• An Information Session for Urban Indigenous Peoples’ Considering Running for Municipal Office
• An Information Session for Youth Considering Running for Municipal Office

For more event information and to register, please visit the AMO webpage directly.

Thinking about running in the 2026 Municipal Election?

Start with a Candidate Information Session. These free sessions will walk you through everything you need to know before filing your nomination. From timelines and campaign rules to financial responsibilities and what to expect as an elected official.

Monday, April 13 - 2 p.m. (In person or online streaming)
In person at the East Gwillimbury Civic Center - 19000 Leslie Street, Sharon
Delivered by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH)
Online streaming

Monday, April 20 - 6 p.m. (Virtual session)
Hosted by the Towns of Newmarket, Aurora, Stouffville and City of Markham and York Region
Register for the Zoom Session

Thursday, April 23 - 7 p.m. (In person or online streaming)
In person at the East Gwillimbury Civic Center - 19000 Leslie Street, Sharon
Delivered by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH)
Online streaming