Why do I have to wait until May to file my nomination for council?
This is new for 2018 Municipal Elections. The nomination period has been shortened. Previously, the nomination period ran from
January 1 to the second Friday of September in the year of an election. The
nomination period for 2018 Municipal Election now runs from May 1 to July 27, 2018.
Why have I been asked to sign an endorsement?
This is new for the 2018 Municipal Election. As part of the
nomination filing package of a candidate for council, they must include
twenty-five (25) written endorsements of nomination for their
position. A person endorsing a nomination must be an eligible voter in
the Township of Essa on the day to which the endorsement is made.
When is Nomination Day?
Nomination day for a regular election is the fourth Friday in July in the year of the election. As such, Friday July 27, 2018 is Nomination Day for the 2018 Municipal Election.
As a resident, how much can I donate to one candidate? Can I donate to multiple candidates?
An individual
may contribute up to $1,200 to one candidate. You may donate to more
than one candidate, however, total contributions to multiple candidates
from one individual cannot exceed $5,000.
When Can Election signs be posted?
In accordance with the Township of Essa's Election Signs By-law 2018-34, municipal election signs may be posted starting 45 days prior to Election day and must be removed by end of day on the fifth day following Election
Day. This means municipal election signs may be posted from Friday, September 7, 2018 to Saturday, October 27, 2018.
Can election signs be posted in a different ward than the one a candidate is running for office in?
No, municipal election signs can only be posted in an area in which the candidate is has filed nominations for.
Can anyone use the Township logo in their campaign material?
No, the Township’s logo is protected, and the Township of Essa asserts copyright over its use.
What is a Registered Third Party?
This is new for the 2018 municipal elections.
A registered
third party is any individual, corporation or trade union that
advertises to support or oppose a candidate or a question on the ballot
for the municipal election. A registered third party is subject to many
of the requirements as that of a candidate including filing
registration papers, expense limits, financial statements, and are
subject to the municipal election sign by-law. No election advertising
outside of a candidate or registered third party is permitted.
An example of a registered third party would include but is not limited to a business operating from the municipality. More information will be forthcoming in the spring of 2018.
Can a business vote?
An individual who is the sole-proprietor of a business and owns the property in which the business operates from is eligible to vote in that municipality. A sole-proprietor is not a legal entity and the business losses and gains are taxed on the sole-proprietors income tax. The individual owns the property not the business, thus making the sole-proprietor eligible to vote.
Corporations, numbered companies, co-ops and other legal entities are not eligible to vote.
Where can I find more information?
Municipal Elections are governed by the Municipal Elections Act, 1996. You can view the Act on the Province of Ontario website here.
