Information for candidates

The City of London has one Mayor, and one Councillor elected to represent each of the City's 14 wards.

Role of Council members

The Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MAH) has published a document called, "The Municipal Councillor's Guide." This guide provides an overview of the many duties and challenges elected officials at the municipal level face.

Mayor

The MAH guide is the source of this abbreviated description for the role of head of Council, which in the City of London is referred to as the Mayor:

• to act as the municipality's chief executive officer;
• to preside over council meetings such that business is carried out both efficiently and effectively;
• to provide leadership to the council;
• to provide information/recommendations to council on policies, practices, procedures, to ensure transparency and accountability; and,
• to represent the municipality at official functions.

Councillors

This abbreviated description for the role of ward Councillor is based on the guide published by MAH:

• to represent the public and to consider the well- being and interests of the municipality;
• to develop and evaluate the policies and programs of the municipality;
• to determine which services the municipality provides;
• to maintain the financial integrity of the municipality;
• to ensure that administrative policies practices are in place to implement the decisions of council; and,
• to ensure the accountability and transparency of the operations of the municipality.

 Municipal councillors also sit as members of a number of Standing Committees. These committees carry out much of the work of council and then report back to council with recommendations. As a member of municipal council, you would be required to attend meetings of the Standing Committees on which you are a member, and also to attend meetings of the full City Council.

Qualifications for Mayor & Councillor

To run for a position on council you must be eligible to vote in the City of London. On the day you file your nomination, a person must be:

• A Canadian citizen
• 18 years of age
• An owner or tenant of land in the City of London, or the spouse of the owner or tenant

Qualifications for School Board Trustees

To run for any of the four school boards in the City of London you must be a resident within the jurisdiction of the board, and you must be eligible to vote in a school board election. On the day you file our nomination, a person must be:

• A Canadian citizen
• 18 years of age
• Must meet any other qualifications to vote for the school board (for example, being a Roman Catholic, or holding French language rights).

Filing a nomination

The nomination period begins on Friday, May 1, 2026.

The deadline to file a nomination to be a council or school board trustee candidate is Friday, August 21, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.

The Election Office is located on the 1st floor of City Hall, 300 Dufferin Avenue, London.

May 21 Official Public Notice

How to file a nomination

You must file in person at 300 Dufferin Ave in the Election Office on the 1st Floor of City Hall.

You will need to pay the nomination fee and provide identification. You are also required to swear an oath at our office. You must complete the following forms:

• Nomination Form
• Signatures of 25 voters supporting the nomination (mayor and councillor candidates only).  Endorsement of Nomination form
• Declaration of Qualifications for Municipal Candidates OR Declaration of Qualification for School Board Candidates

Nomination papers are also available at the Elections Office.

Withdrawing a nomination

If you no longer wish to run in the City of London’s municipal election, you must file a written withdrawal in-person before 2:00 p.m. on Nomination Day (August 21, 2026).

Ward information

The City of London consists of 14 wards.

In 2024, City Council approved new ward boundaries. These changes will take effect for the 2026 Municipal Election.

Interactive Ward Map

Knowing which ward to run in

A candidate can run for office in the ward of their choice.  You do not have to live in the same ward you are running in.  However, you do have to vote from the address at which you reside.

Knowing how many candidates are running in each ward

The City of London will post the names of the candidates online and at City Hall outside the Election Office on the first floor as candidates file their nomination papers.

Voters' List 

 The Voters' List will be available to candidates on September 1, 2026.

How to obtain the Voters' List

The Voters' List must be picked up in person or by an appointed representative at the Elections Office on the first floor of City Hall. 

Election signs can only start to be put up after nomination papers have been filed and must comply with the City of London’s Election Sign By-law.

Election Sign By-law

Simplified Guide to Election Sign Placement

How can I report an Election Sign that is in contravention of the By-law?

The City Clerk and/or an Enforcement Officer for the City of London is authorized to take down or remove or cause to be removed immediately an election sign that is placed in contravention of the Election Sign By-law and Regulation.

If you would like to report or inquire about the placement of an election sign in the City of London please contact enforcement@london.ca or call 519-661-4660.

Signs that pose any risk to the health and safety of pedestrians or motorists will be removed immediately.

When do Election Signs need to be removed?

Election signs must be erected and displayed in accordance with the prescribed time period as defined by the Election Sign By-law.

All election signs are required to be removed seventy-two (72) hours after Voting Day. If they are not removed from City property, a By-law Enforcement Officer may remove the signs.

How can I pick up Election Signs that were removed by the City?

Election signs that have been removed by the City of London will be stored at 663 Bathurst Street at A. J. Tyler Operations, Bathurst Works Yard. Signs may be picked up between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday.

An election sign removed by the City of London will be stored for a period of not less than 30 days during which time the Owner or agent may retrieve the election sign.

The City of London is not responsible for the loss or damage of election signs.

Where an election sign has been removed by the City of London and has not been retrieved within 30 days, the election sign may be destroyed or otherwise disposed of by the City of London without notice.

AMO Education Workshops 

The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) provides Free Workshop Series and Leadership programs designed to support aspiring candidates and returning elected officials.  There are a variety of programs offered to support someone who may have a first run for office, seeking re-election, representing an underrepresented community, or youth.  In addition, there are some resources and guides available on their webpage

More information

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 newspaper article either in print or 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 the disabled and the Election?

Currently there are many opportunities for improving the involvement of the disabled and informing the disabled 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; colourful visuals; 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.

Are candidates running for Ward Councillor required to ensure persons with disabilities within their ward vote?

No, it is not a requirement that candidates ensure any person, disabled or not, within their ward vote. However, it is in the candidate’s best interest to reach out to all electors, including the disabled, to inform them of the various voting methods, such as vote by mail, advance voting, and proxy voting.

What accessibility resources are available to assist candidates in reaching out to persons with disabilities?

Candidates can utilize the following resources for assistance to reach out to those with disabilities

Spinal Cord Injury Ontario (formerly Canadian Paraplegic Association Ontario) – London Office
111 Elias Street, Unit 3
London ON N5W 5L1
Phone: 519-433-2331
Fax: 519-433-3987

CNIB – London Office
749 Baseline Road
London ON N6C 2R6
Phone: 519-685-8420

Canadian Hearing Society – London Office
181 Wellington Street
London ON N6B 2K9
TTY: 1-888-697-3613
Phone: 519-667-3325
Fax: 519-667-9668
E-mail: info@chs.ca

Ontario March of Dimes – London Office
920 Commissioners Road East
London ON N5Z 3J1
Phone: 519-642-3999
Toll-free: 1-866-496-8603
Fax: 519-642-7665

Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario – London-Middlesex Branch
648 Huron Street
London ON N5Y 4J8
Phone: 519-434-9191
Fax: 519-438-1167
E-mail: Aleena@london.cmha.ca

Accessibility Directorate of Ontario
College Park
6th Floor, Suite 601A & Suite 601B
777 Bay Street
Toronto, ON M7A 2J4
General Inquiry: 416-849-8276
TTY: 416-326-0148
Toll Free: 866-515-2025
TTY Toll Free: 800-335-6611
Web Site: www.ontario.ca/accesson

The Province of Ontario releases a candidates' guide for every municipal election. 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:

2026 Candidates’ Guide