Candidate Information

Candidates who have filed their Nomination will appear below during the nomination period between May 1, 2026 and August 21, 2026 (at 2 pm). Following the close of the nomination period, the Clerk will review all nominations and prepare a certified list of candidates, and if applicable declare any candidates acclaimed. A candidate’s name will appear in alphabetical order, based on their surnames and, in the case of identical surnames, their forenames.

At the time of filing their nomination, each candidate will be given the opportunity to provide the Town personal information to share with the public such as email, phone number, campaign website, or social media accounts. It is up to each candidate to provide this information and consent to its release. If the Town receives consent to release this information, we will make it available here.

Nomination forms are available for public viewing at the Clerk’s office during regular business hours.

Office of Mayor

Ward 1 Councillor

Ward 2 Councillor

Ward 3 Councillor

Ward 4 Councillor

Ward 5 Councillor

Ward 6 Councillor

York Catholic District School Board Trustee

York Region District School Board Trustee

Conseil scolaire Viamonde Trustee

Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir

FAQs for the Use of Corporate Resources for Election Purposes Policy

14. Can the Town’s logo, brand, or photos be used in campaign materials?

No. The Town’s and Mayor’s logo and crest, coat of arms, chain of office, branding, photos, and videos may not be used for campaigning or appear on campaign websites or social media.

15.  What about photographs with a council member or candidate? Staff attend many events like street festival and farmers markets and often times council members and mayor want to take photos of their attendance at these events. Should they be declining?

If you are working and in Town gear, you should politely decline referring to the following applicable sections:

• Assuming staff are wearing Town gear, the Town’s logo, brand etc cannot be
• used for campaigning purposes
• Staff have to be mindful of public perception during municipal elections, and to ensure that their activities neither conflict with nor adversely affect their duties as members of Town staff.
• No Member shall compel staff to engage in partisan political activities or be subjected to threats or discrimination for refusing to engage in such activities.
• Staff are working and in that case, the employee code of conduct would apply which states staff are not to engage in political activity during working hours.

16.  Are Council meeting videos allowed to be used by candidates?

Yes. Candidates are permitted to use publicly available Council, Committee, or Advisory Committee meeting videos from the Town’s YouTube channel.

17.  Are Town staff or Members of Council prohibited from voting or participating in elections?

No. Nothing in the policy prevents:

• Staff from exercising their civic right to vote or participate as eligible electors in Aurora
• Members of Council from performing their official duties or representing constituents

18.  What happens if someone believes the policy has been violated?

• Complaints must be submitted in writing to the Clerk.
• The Clerk has authority to investigate and resolve complaints.
• Complaints involving a Member of Council and the Council Code of Conduct are referred to the Integrity Commissioner.

Use of Corporate Resources for Election Purposes Policy

1. The Town Clerk or designate is the primary contact for candidates and third-party advertisers. 
2. All requests from candidates or third-party advertisers regarding municipal operations shall be directed to elections@aurora.ca Requests and responses should be in writing. 
3. The Town Clerk will direct all staff related requests to the Directors/Managers.  If a staff member has been contacted by a prospective Council candidate to complete a task, the staff member shall contact their supervisor and Town Clerk for support.
4. Staff shall not respond directly to candidate inquiries unless authorized by their supervisor and Town Clerk, and elections@aurora.ca should be copied on all communication.
5. Staff, through the Town Clerk, may provide:
   •    Publicly available documents (e.g., reports, budgets, policies, by laws);
   •    Factual descriptions of municipal processes and services;
   •    Historical or background information already in the public domain; or
   •    Clarification of terminology used in public reports.
6. The following are strictly prohibited:
   •    Providing advice, analysis, or strategic insight;
   •    Responding to “what if” scenarios or hypothetical outcomes;
   •    Comparing policy options or operational alternatives;
   •    Providing unpublished, draft, or confidential information;
   •    Tailoring information to support a candidate/third party advertiser’s platform or messaging; or
   •    Engaging in discussion that could be perceived as advocacy.
7. When information is provided to one candidate or registered third party, the Town Clerk will: 
   •    Make the response available to all candidates/third party advertisers and the public; 
   •    Use a centralized method of distribution; and  
   •    Maintain a record of distribution.
8. Responses will be provided within standard customer service timelines, subject to operational capacity.
9. The Clerk may decline or defer requests that: 
   •    Are repetitive; 
   •    Require disproportionate staff resources; or
   •    Seek analysis rather than factual information.
10. Answers provided to questions posed by candidates will shared with all other candidates at the end of each week via this FAQ. 

• 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

Positions for which a person may file a nomination for School Board Trustee

York Catholic District School Board Trustee

• Trustee Electoral Area; Aurora, King, Whitchurch- Stouffville (1 to be elected)
• Note: Nomination Forms must be filed with the Clerk of the Town of Aurora

York Region District School Board Trustee

• Trustee Electoral Area; Aurora and Whitchurch-Stouffville (1 to be elected)
• Note: Nomination Forms must be filed with the Clerk of the Town of Aurora

Conseil scolaire Viamonde Trustee

• Note: Nomination Forms must be filed with the City of Vaughan

Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir

• Note: Nomination Forms must be filed with the City of Vaughan

Nominations must be submitted on the prescribed forms 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

Book the appointment to submit your Nomination

Note: Scheduling an appointment with the Clerk’s office is highly recommended. Walk-ins are permitted, however, individuals who do not book an appointment may experience a significant wait time. 

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 or Mayor's 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 "Candidate Nomination Package (Zip file)" to download the combined package. 

1. Nomination Procedures
2. Nomination Checklist for Candidates
3. Form 1 - Nomination Paper
4. Form 2 - Endorsement of Nomination (for Council candidates only - print 5 copies)
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

Candidate Nomination Package (Combined)

Please note: When downloading the complete candidate package, you must print five copies of Form 2 as you require 25 signatures to complete it.

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
• 2026 candidates’ guide – Ontario municipal council and school board elections

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

Candidate Information Session Recordings

• April 23 - Candidate Information Session
• April 13 - Election Information Session 
  Delivered Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH)
• April 20 - Municipal Election Webinar 2026
• April 20 - 2026 Municipal Election Webinar Q&A Jointly Hosted by the Town of Aurora, City of Markham, Town of Newmarket, Town of Stouffville and York Region

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.

There are no Candidate Information Sessions currently scheduled. While we don't have an active date on the calendar right now, we encourage you to check back soon. New sessions and other candidate-focused events are added periodically to ensure you have the tools and information needed for a successful campaign.