Municipal Elections

 Monday May 2, 2022

• First day to file a nomination for an office on West Perth Council or school board trustee during regular business hours.
• First day to file a notice of registration as a third party advertiser.

 Friday August 19, 2022  -  Nomination Day

• 9:00am to 2:00pm
• Deadline for candidates to file or withdraw a nomination

 Friday August 19 - November 14, 2022

• First possible lame duck period, should less than three-quarters of the existing Members of Council seek re-election.

 Monday August 22, 2022

• Deadline for the City Clerk to certify candidate nominations by signing the nomination paper if satisfied that a person is qualified to be nominated and that the nomination complies with the Municipal Elections Act.

 Thursday September 1, 2022

• Revision period begins for the Voters' List. This is also the last day to reproduce the voters' list and set out any revision procedures. The voters' list is made available to all candidates.

• First day of advanced voting period

 Friday October 21, 2022

• Last day for third party advertisers to file a notice of registration.

• Eligible electors can vote via internet or telephone up until 8:00pm.

 Monday October 24 - November 14, 2022

• Second possible lame duck period. Lame duck is in effect should less than three-quarters of the outgoing Council be re-elected.

 Tuesday November 15, 2022

• New term of office begins.

 Monday November 21, 2022

• Inaugural Council Meeting (subject to change - deadline to hold first meeting is December 16, 2022).

1. Mail-out Voter Information Letter

All eligible voters in West Perth will be mailed a letter before the 2022 election that will contain:

• A Personal Identification Number (PIN) that will be used to cast your ballot (do not share your PIN with anyone!);
• A telephone number and an Internet address for voting;
• A list of candidates running for office; and
• A Revision Centre telephone number to call for assistance.

If any of the information is wrong on your voter letter, you must have it fixed before the election deadline, at the Municipal Office. Print form WP07 and follow the instructions here:

Step 1: Print the form with your information filled in.
Step 2: Bring the form to the Municipal Office at 160 Wellington Street, Mitchell. (Bring 2 pieces of identification).
Step 3: Have the elections team at the Office update your information, they will print a new voter card for you.
Step 4: Vote in the 2022 Municipal and School Board Election Between October 17-24.

The Municipal Clerk is the Returning Officer and will be able to answer any questions you may have about the election. For any questions regarding the 2022 Municipal Election please contact the office at (519) 348-8429 x224 or email; clerk@westperth.com

2. Online & Telephone Voting

The Municipality of West Perth will be using of internet/telephone voting methods for the 2022 Municipal Election. Voters can choose to vote by phone or online - No paper ballot option. Internet and telephone voting allows eligible voters to cast their vote from anywhere, as long as they have an internet connection and/or access to a telephone.

 Options to cast your vote include:

• Desktop or laptop computer
• Smart phone (mobile device)
• Tablet device
• Touchtone phone

3. Voter Assistance Centre

We will offer opportunities for eligible voters to come to the Municipal Office at 160 Wellington Street, Mitchell, to vote online with the assistance of an election attendant. You may be able to access computers to vote at the West Perth Library during their regular hours of operation during the voting period (October 17-24) as well.

4. Why Internet and Phone Voting?

Traditionally in Ontario, voting in Municipal and School Board Elections only get a 30% voter turnout. There are many benefits to providing virtual voting, other than saving some time and gas money travelling to polling stations.

Benefits of internet and telephone voting include:

• Accessibility - Whether you are away on personal travel, suffering from illness, working days or nights, have a disability, or just have difficulty travelling, you can cast your ballot from anywhere with an internet connection or working telephone. View the Accessibility Plan here.
• Convenience - Remotely cast your vote from anywhere during the voting period using a computer, smart phone, tablet device, or touchtone phone.
• Environmentally Friendly - With voters not being required to travel to voting locations, the impact on greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced.

2022 Voters' Guide

You are eligible to vote in the 2022 Municipal Election if you are:

• A Canadian Citizen;
• 18 years of age or older;
• A resident of the Municipality of West Perth or the owner or tenant of land in the Municipality or the spouse of such owner of tenant;
• Not prohibited from voting under any law.

Your name must be on the Voters' List in order to cast a ballot. To ensure you are on the voters’ list for 2022 municipal and school board elections, you may also visit voterlookup.ca

Adding your name to the voters’ list

• After September 1, you must submit this form to correct your information (e.g. change your address) or to add your name to the voters list.
• You have until the close of voting on October 24 to apply for any changes.
• If you want to change your school support, you must contact MPAC.
• If you are applying to add your name to the voters’ list, you will be asked to provide proof that you are eligible to vote (see above eligibility requirements).

The following nominations have been certified with the Municipal Clerk according to the requirements of the Municipal Elections Act. The following persons filed all necessary papers, declarations and fees, and satisfy the requirements of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996.

*     Acclaimed Candidates pursuant to Section 37 of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996.
**   Nomination certified by the Clerk/Returning Officer of the City of London.
*** Nomination certified by the Clerk/Returning Officer of the City of Sarnia.

What is a third party advertisement?

A third party advertisement is an ad that supports, promotes, or opposes a candidate, or a “yes” or “no” answer to a question on the ballot.

Third party in this context means a person or entity who is not a candidate. Third party advertising is separate from any candidate’s campaign and must be done independently from a candidate.

Third party advertisers who wish to spend money on advertisements during the election must register with the Municipal Clerk and must file a financial statement.

Registration - Third Party Advertisers

An individual, corporation, or trade union may file with the Municipal Clerk a notice of registration to be a registered third party for the 2022 Municipal Election between May 2, 2022 and October 21, 2022 at the Municipal Office during regular business hours (Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm). The notice must be filed on the prescribed form and must include a declaration of qualification signed by the individual or by a representative of the corporation or trade union, as the case may be.

If a registration is submitted by an agent who is acting on behalf of an individual who wishes to register as a Third Party Advertiser, a letter must be provided at the time of registration which authorizes the agent to register on their behalf. The letter must be signed by the third party advertiser and commissioned or notarized by a person authorized under the Commissioners for Taking Affidavits Act or Notaries Act.

Who is not permitted to register as a Third Party Advertiser?

• A candidate whose nomination has been filed with the City Clerk;
• A federal political party registered under the Canada Elections Act (Canada) or any federal constituency association or registered candidate at a federal election endorsed by that party;
• A provincial political party, constituency association, registered candidate or leadership contestant registered under the Election Finances Act; and,
• The Crown in right of Canada or Ontario, a municipality or local board.

 Municipal Elections Act

 Municipal Act

 Election Policies and Procedures

 Accessibility Plan