Candidates

Candidate and Third-Party Advertiser Information Sessions

Durham Region is hosting two virtual Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) Candidate Information Sessions on March 25 and April 14 at 7 p.m.

The sessions are for anyone considering running for local office or registering a third-party advertising campaign for the 2026 Municipal Election. Each session will end with a question-and-answer period.

Register for the March 25 session. Register for the April 14 session.

Are you interested in running for office?

Are you interested in running for the Municipality of Clarington Council or a local school board? Nominations will be accepted from May 1, 2026, until August 21, 2026, at 2 p.m. If you are interested in running for local office, the following general guidelines may assist. This information is provided as a courtesy to all potential candidates.

Don't:

  • Solicit campaign donations before becoming a candidate
  • Hold fundraisers before registering as a candidate
  • Accept campaign contributions
  • Accept goods and services or other non-monetary donations before registering as a candidate - these are still campaign contributions
  • Use resources from personal businesses to promote your future candidacy (e.g. print materials, signs, advertising, etc.) - these are still campaign contributions
  • Incur expenses before registering as a candidate. Not sure what qualifies as an expense? Refer to section 88.19 of the Municipal Elections Act

Do:

  • Express your interest in running for office - it's okay to be clear about your intentions to nominate
  • Read about your obligations as a potential candidate
  • Read or ask about the Municipality’s election practices and previous elections
  • Learn about serving on a municipal council - prepare yourself for the role

Exercise caution. If you think your actions may be construed as incurring campaign expenses or soliciting contributions outside of the campaign period, consider whether engaging in that activity is necessary before you can register on May 1 and your campaign officially begins.

Candidate Information Package

  • The Candidate Information Package will be available in April 2026.

Accessible debates

Although the Municipal Clerk's Division does not coordinate, nor participate in, candidate meetings or debates, the Municipal Clerk's Division strongly urges all organizers of Candidate meetings or debates to ensure that the event is held in an accessible venue.

Please see Clarington Municipal Election Accessibility Plan for more information on the Municipal Clerk's Division’s commitment to maintaining the principles of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996.

Resources