Election-Related Concerns

The following information is intended to help the members of the public identify the appropriate process, authority, and point of contact for election-related concerns during the Municipality of Clarington’s municipal elections. It is a routing and reference tool only; it does not replace applicable legislation, municipal policies, prescribed forms, statutory deadlines, or independent legal advice where required. 

A voter can submit an accessibility concern if they identify a barrier, have a recommendation to improve accessibility for the municipal elections, or have any other election feedback on accessibility initiatives. 

Who can submit the concern:

  • A person who is entitled to vote in a Clarington election. 

When can the concern be submitted:

  • As soon as possible after the barrier is identified. 

How to submit:

Submit a concern using the Election Feedback Form or by email or mail. The form is available on Clarington’s election website and at each Election Assistance Centre (EAC). Election Officials may complete and submit the form on behalf of a person with a disability. 

Who receives the concern:

  • Clarington's Municipal Clerk

Candidates for municipal Council and School Board Trustee positions are bound by specific election campaign finance rules and must file provincially prescribed financial statements with the Municipal Clerk, in prescribed timelines, outlining their campaign finance activities. A compliance audit is an audit of a candidate's election campaign finances and their compliance with the provisions of the MEA related to election campaign finances. 

Who can submit the concern:

  • An elector who is entitled to vote in an election and believes on reasonable grounds that a candidate or registered Third Party Advertiser has contravened a provision of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 (MEA) relating to election campaign finances may apply for a compliance audit of the candidate’s election campaign finances, even if the candidate has not filed a financial statement. 

When can the concern be submitted:

  • Within 90 days after the candidate’s financial filing date. 

Authority: Municipal Elections Act, 1996 s. 88.33 to s. 88.37

How to submit:

Who receives the concern:

The Municipal Elections Act, 1996 (MEA) does not require candidate debates. The Municipal Clerk performs an administrative function in the conduct of the municipal election within the legislative framework established by the Province. Candidate-related meetings and events organized by other organizations during the Municipality of Clarington’s municipal elections, such as candidate debates, do not fall within the mandate, authority, or responsibility of the Municipal Clerk’s Office, other than to review requests to hold debates using Clarington facilities. The Municipality does not coordinate or participate in these types of meetings. 

If a public debate, hosted by a third party, is proposed to be held in a Clarington facility, the rules and procedures are outlined here: 

Concerns regarding the conduct of a Candidate or Scrutineer that violates any provision of the Municipal Election Act or the applicable Municipal Policies.

Who can submit the concern:

  • Any person. 

When can the concern be submitted:

  • As soon as possible after the conduct is witnessed.  

Authority: Scrutineers are governed by the oath they take under the “Appointment of Scrutineer By Candidate Form” and the Respectful Conduct Policy. 

How to submit:

  • Concerns about the conduct of a Candidate or Scrutineer at an Election Assistance Centre should be directed to the Election Assistance Centre Supervisor on site. The concerns may result in the Candidate or Scrutineer being asked to vacate an Election Activity Area indefinitely and not allowed to enter another Election Activity Area for the duration of the election. 

Who receives the concern:

  • Concerns about the conduct of a Candidate or Scrutineer at an Election Assistance Centre should be directed to the Election Assistance Centre Supervisor.
  • Anyone with concerns related to the conduct of a candidate or scrutineer may wish to seek independent legal advice or contact the appropriate law enforcement agency if the matter may constitute an offence under the Criminal Code (Canada). 

If you believe that a Member of Council has breached the Clarington Code of Conduct, you may request an investigation by the Integrity Commissioner. 

Who can submit the concern:

  • Any person.

When can the concern be submitted:

  • No complaint may be referred to the Integrity Commissioner between Nomination Day (August 21, 2026) in an election year and Voting Day. The Complaint must be submitted to the Integrity Commissioner no later than six months from the date on which the alleged violation occurred, and no action will be taken on a Complaint received after this deadline. 

How to submit:

Who receives the concern:

A court application requesting that it determine the following: 

  1. Whether the election is valid;
  2. Whether a person’s election to an office in the election is valid;
  3. If a person’s election to an office is not valid, whether another person was validly elected or is entitled to the office;
  4. If an election is not valid or a person’s election to an office is not valid whether a by-election should be held. 

Who can submit the concern:

  • A person who is entitled to vote in an election. 

When can the concern be submitted:

  • Within 90 days after Voting Day (October 26, 2026). Within five days of making the application, the applicant shall serve a copy to the Clerk of the municipality. 

Authority: Municipal Elections Act, 1996 s. 83

How to submit:

Who receives the concern:

  • Ontario Superior Court of Justice 

Concerns or complaints regarding an EAC, including accessibility, customer service, location operations, or the conduct of voting activities. 

Who can submit the concern:

  • A person who is entitled to vote in a Clarington election. 

When can the concern be submitted:

  • As soon as possible after a concern or complaint is identified. 

Authority: Clarington Municipal Elections Clerk’s Procedures and Rules and 2026 Clarington Municipal Elections - Accessibility Plan 

How to submit:

Submit a concern using the Election Feedback Form or by email or mail. The form is available on Clarington’s election website and at each Election Assistance Centre (EAC). Election Officials may complete and submit the form on behalf of a person with a disability. 

Who receives the concern:

  • Clarington's Municipal Clerk

Complaints or concerns about election signs. 

Who can submit the concern:

  • Any person. 

When can the concern be submitted:

  • As soon as an infraction is identified. 

How to submit:

Note: For vandalized Election signs, report in writing to the Durham Region Police Service at Report a Crime.

Who receives the concern:

  • Municipal Law Enforcement Division
  • Durham Regional Police Services for vandalized signs. 

The Criminal Code of Canada states that tampering with the mail of an individual is a criminal offence, and a person found guilty is liable to a term of imprisonment not exceeding ten years. Since the Municipality’s election methods rely on the delivery of the Voter Information Letter (VIL) to eligible voters to allow those voters to exercise their right to vote, any instance or substantiated account of mail tampering will be taken very seriously and reported to the authorities. 

Who can submit the concern:

  • Any person. 

When can the concern be submitted:

  • After the Voter Information Letters have been mailed. 

Authority: Section 356 of the Criminal Code of Canada 

How to submit:

  • In writing to the Durham Regional Police Service at Report a Crime 

Who receives the concern:

  • Durham Regional Police Service 

Concerns about registered third party advertisers, or an individual corporation, or trade union, incurring expenses without registering as a Third Party Advertiser. 

Who can submit the concern:

  • Any person. 

Authority: The Municipal Election Act s. 88.4, s. 88.5, s. 88.6, and s. 88.7 allows the Municipality to require the removal or discontinuance of advertising if satisfied that there has been a contravention. Also, Clarington's Election Sign By-law.

How to submit:

Submit a concern using the Election Concerns Form or by email or mail. 

For concerns related to Election Signs, please review the section on Election Sign section. 

Who receives the concern:

  • Clarington Municipal Clerk. 

Note: Concerns related to unregistered third party advertising will be forwarded to the Durham Regional Police Service 

Complaints regarding the use of municipal resources in campaigning or campaign material. 

Who can submit the concern:

  • Any person.

Authority: s.88.8(4)5, 88.12(4)3 and s. 88.18 of the Municipal Elections Act and the Use of Corporate Resources for Election Purposes Policy 

How to submit:

Submit a concern using the Election Concerns Form or by email or mail. 

Who receives the concern:

  • Clarington's Municipal Clerk

Concerns, questions, or complaints about information posted on the Municipality’s election website www.clarington.net/votes, including accessibility, notices, dates, procedures, candidate information, voter information, and other election-related materials. 

Who can submit the concern:

  • Any person. 

When can the concern be submitted:

  • At any time during the election period. 

How to submit:

Submit a concern using the Election Concerns Form or by email or mail. 

Who receives the concern:

  • Clarington's Municipal Clerk

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Address: 40 Temperance Street, Bowmanville, ON L1C 3A6

Phone: 905-623-3379
TTY: 1-844-790-1599

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