Your vote matters! In the Municipality of Meaford 2026 Election, you will be able to vote by internet or telephone for Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Councillors, and School Board Trustee. 

The Voting Period for the 2026 Municipal Election runs from 10:00 a.m. on October 16, 2026, to 8:00 p.m. on October 26, 2026. 

Voters in the Municipality of Meaford will once again be able to cast their vote from the comfort of their home, or anywhere they can access the internet or telephone, 24 hours a day. Election Help Centres will be available during the voting period to provide assistance. 

Are you on the Voters List? 

Visit Elections Ontario to confirm your voter registration. 

 Voter Eligibility 
To vote in a municipal election, you must: 
  • Be a Canadian citizen and at least 18 years old
  • Be qualified to vote in the municipality by: 
    • living in the municipality, or 
    • owning or renting property in the municipality, or 
    • being the spouse of somebody who owns or rents property in the municipality
  • Not be prohibited from voting according to Section 17 of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 (MEA)
Note: Property must be personally owned or rented to vote in that municipality. Properties owned by a business or trust do not qualify. 
University and College Students: 
  • Section 2 (2.1) of the MEA allows post-secondary students to vote in both the municipal election where they are attending school and the municipal election in their "home" municipality, provided they are residing in another municipality to attend a post-secondary institution and intend to return to their "home" municipality at the conclusion of their studies. 
Election Help Centres 
At Election Help Centres you can: 
  • Ask questions 
  • Register to vote 
  • Get voting assistance 
  • Vote independently 
This section will be updated when the 2026 Election Help Centre schedule is available. Retirement and Long-Term Care Centres Election Officials will visit retirement homes and long-term care facilities during the voting period to provide an opportunity for their residents to vote. The dates and times of Elections Officials’ visits to these facilities will be confirmed before the voting period and posted at each location.
Voter ID Information 

Understanding Ontario Regulation 304/03, Voter Identification from the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 

What this regulation is for
This regulation specifies the identification people need to vote in a municipal election. When you go to vote, you must show proof of your identity and where you live. 
What kind of ID works 
You need to bring one document that shows both: 
  • your name 
  • your qualifying residential address (where you live or the address that qualifies you as a voter) 
This document must be original, or a properly certified copy. 
Examples of acceptable documents 
Some of the many types of documents you can use include:  
  • An Ontario driver’s licence 
  • Ontario Photo Card or Ontario Health Card (if it shows name + address) 
  • Ontario motor vehicle permit (the portion listing address) 
  • A cancelled personalized cheque 
  • A mortgage statement, lease or rental agreement for a property in Ontario 
  • A utility bill — for example, electricity, water, gas, phone or cable/tv bill 
  • A bank or credit card statement, or other financial statements (for example, savings account, RRSP, etc.) 
  • A document issued by a government body (Canadian, Ontario, or municipal) that shows your name & address 
  • A notice of property-tax assessment 
  • Government benefit statements (like for pension, disability support, etc.) 
  • A document showing residence in a long-term care home, student residence, or an institution (if applicable) 
Because the list is long, many different types of “official” or “formal” documents can work, as long as the document shows your name and correct address. 
What happens if you don’t have acceptable ID 
If you don’t have one of the accepted documents, there’s another option: you can fill out a “Declaration of Identity” form. That can still allow you to vote. 
Why this matters 
  • The rule helps make sure only eligible people — people who can prove they are who they say they are, and who really live (or qualify) at the address they claim — get to vote. 
  • It helps keep municipal elections fair and legitimate. 
  • Because the regulation accepts many kinds of documents (not only photo ID), it gives flexibility — people can use common bills or official documents, not just a driver’s licence or passport. 
 Updating Your School Support 

As of January 1, 2024, the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) is no longer responsible for collecting voter information for municipal elections. However, MPAC is still required to collect school support information. 

 

Property owners in Ontario must designate support for a school system, even if they do not have children or children currently attending school. This designation appears on your Property Assessment Notice. 

 

You can update your school support designation through MPAC's Online School Support Tool. To learn more about school support, visit the MPAC website. 

FAQ's

When can I vote? 
Voting begins at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, October 16, and continues until 8:00 p.m. on Monday, October 26. 
 What do I need to vote? 
Voters need to have a Voter Information Letter in order to vote. This will be mailed to you in October. This letter will have your instructions and your unique Personal Identification Number, required to log into the internet election site or onto the telephone election platform. 
If you do not receive a Voter Information Letter in October, please visit the Municipal Office with identification to confirm your registration status and receive your letter. 
To view a listing of acceptable identification, please see the Voter ID Information tab above. 
When will I receive my Voter Information Letter? 
Voter Information Letters will be mailed out in October. The letter will have voting instructions and your unique PIN to log in to the election site or telephone election platform. 
What are the voting methods?
Internet & telephone voting are the voting methods for the 2026 Municipal & School Board Election. You will be able to cast your vote from the comfort of your home or anywhere you can access the internet or a telephone, including at the Election Help Centres. 

 What devices can I use to vote? 

Voters can use any device that connects to the internet, including computers, tablets, and smartphones. Voters can also use touch-tone telephones. Rotary phones may not be used. 

There will be no paper ballots for this election. 
What if I require assistance voting? 

Election Help Centres 

Election staff will be available to assist voters at Election Help Centres during the voting period. More information about Election Help Centre locations and operating hours will be posted here once available. 

Accessibility 

Internet and telephone voting enables voters with accessibility requirements to vote with little or no assistance from others. Persons with accessibility requirements can use either telephone or internet voting without being required to leave their home, or can attend an Election Help Centre to vote with assistance. 

Retirement and Long-Term Care Centres 

Retirement homes and long-term care facilities will host Election Help Centres during the voting period. The dates and times of Election Help Centres at these facilities will be confirmed before the voting period and posted at each location. 

Resources 

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