Mayor (One (1) to be Elected at Large)
Deputy Mayor (One (1) to be Elected at Large)
Councillor (Five (5) to be Elected at Large)
Election Information for Candidates
The upcoming Municipal Election to elect a Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Municipal Councillors and School Board Trustees will be held on Monday, October 26, 2026. This Four (4) Year Term of Office starts November 17, 2026 and will end on November 2030.
Why it Matters
Municipal elections are about helping shape the future of your community. The people you vote for work together to make decisions on local issues and share your voice at the Council table.
By voting, you're choosing representatives who will listen to your concerns, set priorities for the Town, and make sure Cobourg continues to be a safe, welcoming, and growing place to live.
Your vote is one of the most direct ways to take part in local democracy and to help build a Cobourg for everyone.
Any individual looking to run for Municipal Office or for a School Board Trustee must be considered an eligible candidate and complete the prescribed nomination procedures.
The 2026 Municipal Election Candidate Packages will be available for pick-up at the time of the Candidate Nomination.
Nominations for Office
Positions for which a Person may File a Nomination Paper for Municipal Office:
Positions for which a person may file a Nomination Paper for School Board Trustee:
Two (2) Trustees to be elected for Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board (English Language Public School Board).
One (1) Trustees to be elected for Peterborough, Victoria, Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board (English Language Separate School Board). Nominations shall be filed in the Town of Cobourg Municipal Clerk’s Office.
One (1) Trustee to be elected for Conseil Scolaire Viamonde (French Language Public School Board). Nominations shall be filed in the City of Oshawa Municipal Clerk’s Office, 50 Centre Street South, Oshawa
One (1) Trustee to be elected for Conseil Scolaire Catholique MonAvenir (French Language Separate School Board). Nominations shall be filed in the City of Oshawa Municipal Clerk’s Office, 50 Centre Street South, Oshawa
Ministry of Municipal Affairs Municipal Candidate Guide
The Province of Ontario releases a candidates' guide for every municipal election. It is anticipated that the Province of Ontario will release a 2026 Guide in April 2026 and we will update this link at that time.
In advance of that time, please see the guide below which tells you what you need to know to run as a candidate in Ontario municipal council and school board elections.
The Association of Municipalities Ontario has prepared a guide to running for municipal council called "Lead Where You Live." The guide is available by clicking the link below:
Campaign Period
Your campaign begins when you file your Nomination Paper with the Town Clerk. The earliest you can file is Friday, May 1, 2026. Please see the detailed information on the Candidate Nomination above.
You may file your nomination paper by appointment only at:
Town of Cobourg Clerk’s Office
Victoria Hall
55 King Street, West
Cobourg, Ontario
905-372-4301 ext. 9520
Nomination Process
A Candidate may file their nomination papers as of May 1, 2026 at 9:00 am through to Nomination Day on August 21, 2026 from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Potential candidates may book an appointment with the Town Clerk/Returning Officer through the following Link - Book a Nomination Appointment Meeting.
To be an eligible candidate an individual must be:
- A Canadian Citizen
- Aged 18 years or older on the day of filing
- Must qualify as an eligible resident or non-resident elector on the day of filing.
A potential candidate must file nomination papers prior to receiving any campaign contributions and/or expending any funds on a campaign.
Candidate Nomination Form are available for pick-up at the Municipal Clerk's Office.
Once a Candidate has booked a meeting to file their nomination, and the nomination is received by the Returning Officer or designate, they will receive a Nomination Package. The package includes all information in order to proceed with a nomination for the 2026 in the Municipal Election.
Schedule a time to meet with the Municipal Clerk to view the information and learn about the process!
The nomination of a person for an office on Council must be endorsed by at least twenty-five (25) persons and those endorsing the nomination must be eligible to vote in an election for an office within the Municipality if a regular election was held on the day that the person endorses the nomination.
When filing you must submit the following:
- Nomination Papers – Form 1 (Nomination Paper) and Form 2 (Endorsement)
- Declaration of Qualifications
- Filing Fee - $100 for Councillor/Deputy Mayor and $200 for Mayor
- Consent to Release Information
- Candidate’s Declaration
The requirement to submit Form 2 with twenty-five (25) nomination signatures does not apply to candidates running for school board trustee positions.
Campaigning in Cobourg
Access to Residential Premises for Campaigning
Campaign provisions have been clarified to allow candidates to access apartment buildings, condominiums, non-profit housing co-ops or gated communities from 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. in order to campaign. Landlords and condominium corporations will not be allowed to prohibit tenants or owners from displaying campaign signs in their windows.
Candidates are required to identify themselves on campaign advertisements and signs, so that it is clear who is responsible for each sign and advertisement that appears or is broadcast.
Running an Accessible Campaign
Candidates have the responsibility to run an accessible campaign. For more details regarding accessibility during the Municipal Election, please read 2026 Municipal Election Accessibility Plan.
What types of disability challenges will candidates face during the Election period?
Candidates will need to consider the needs of persons with disabilities that include, but are not limited to, deaf and hard of hearing; deaf-blind; blind or visually impaired; cognitive or mental; speech; mental illness; and mobility.
Why do extra measures need to be taken to reach out to persons with disabilities?
Extra measures need to be taken to communicate to persons with disabilities because not all persons are able to access information that is widely used. This could mean the elector with the disability may not be able to read a article on the internet; the elector may not be able to visually see the TV ad or media advertising; the elector may not be able to hear the radio commercial; or the elector may not be able to understand the information presented.
What barriers currently exist between persons with disabilities and the Election?
Currently there are many opportunities for improving the involvement of persons with disabilities and informing them about candidates and election organizers. Accessibility is an ongoing consideration, and ongoing efforts are being made to allow persons with disabilities the proper access to become involved with the Election.
In what ways can candidates reach out to persons with disabilities?
Candidates can visit group homes, old age homes, retirement homes, nursing homes and hospitals to inform the electors of their intentions while running for office.
Candidates can utilize the services of a sign language interpreter and/or a deaf-blind intervener when appropriate.
Written information, both on the internet and in hard copy, can be improved through the use of large print; clear speech communication; and rephrasing when necessary.
Alternate forms of communication can be used such as braille, large print, captioning, electronic text, audio format, descriptive video service (DVS), and sign language video format.
A quiet meeting environment can also be helpful.
2026 Municipal Election Candidate Information Session
The 2026 Municipal Election Candidate Information Sessions dates and times will be announced soon. There will be two (2) sessions for Candidates to learn about the process and running in the upcoming Municipal Election.
Candidate Information Night # 1
Date: Thursday April 30, 2026
Time: 7:00 P.M.
Location: Venture 13, 739 D'Arcy Street (Map), Cobourg, ON K9A 0H6
Candidate Information Night # 2 - Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
Date: TBA
Time: TBA
Location: Northumberland County Headquarters, 555 Courthouse Road (Map), Cobourg, ON K9A 5J6
The information sessions are intended to provide prospective candidates with the information they need to understand the process and requirements to run in the 2026 Cobourg Municipal Election. The session is open to anyone interested in running for office or learning more about the upcoming election.
The session will cover:
- Key election rules under the Municipal Elections Act
- Eligibility requirements and the nomination process
- Election technology that will be used in the 2026 Cobourg Municipal Election
- AND MORE
No registration is required.
Contact Us
Town of Cobourg
55 King Street West
Cobourg, ON K9A 2M2
Phone: 905-372-4301
Toll Free: 1-888-972-4301