How should reused campaign materials (like signs) be valued and reported? Is there official guidance on this?
The MEA section 88.19 states that the expense should be recorded as “the replacement value of goods retained by the person, individual, corporation or trade union from any previous election in the municipality and used in the current election.” In addition, the 2026 Candidates' Guide provides this example directly in the financial reporting section “Inventory from previous campaign".
Any inventory from a previous campaign that you are using again is a contribution in goods that you make to your campaign and counts towards your self-funding limit. You must calculate the current market value (for example, if you have 100 signs left over from 2022 and use them again, you must calculate how much it would cost to purchase those same signs in 2026) and record it in Table 2. This inventory must also be recorded as a campaign expense.
Can Town staff who live in Essex sign nomination forms or display campaign signs?
Yes, any staff who are residents (eligible electors) can sign nomination forms and host signs. These are separate activities, unrelated to their town staff duties.
Can candidates give out donated items to the public during campaign events?
No, candidates are prohibited from giving anything other than campaign specific materials to members of the public during campaign activites. (MEA s. 90 (3))
All accepted donations of goods and in-kind gifts must be recorded as campaign contributions. (MEA s. 88.15 (1) (3)).
For nomination forms requiring 25 signatures, do all pages need to be original, or can some be photocopies?
For nomination purposes, we will need one (1) original copy of page one and then photocopies of either page is fine, as long as the 25 signatures are original.
A version of Form 2 with all 25 signature slots is linked on the website, or we can print for you, upon request.
Can candidates share posts from the Town of Essex Facebook page?
Yes, candidates can share the Town of Essex Facebook posts, as those posts are publicly available. But it must be a link to the Town’s post. A candidate cannot “reframe” the posts.
Will seasonal or non-permanent tenants appear on the voters’ list?
Some residential, non-residential and non-permanent tenants will not be on the current voters list due to the processes that Elections Ontario undertakes for data updates. Any eligible elector who has government issued ID with their address can be registered now through RegisterToVote.on.ca, through the Town Clerk's Office after September 1st and at the polling locations on voting days.
If I live in another municipality but lease property in Essex, can my spouse and I endorse candidates?
Yes, both you and your spouse are considered eligible electors and are able to endorse candidates for the Town of Essex.
Who is eligible to run for Mayor, Deputy Mayor, or Ward Councillor in Essex?
A person is entitled to be a candidate if he or she is a qualified elector. A candidate must be qualified as of the day he or she is nominated and must remain qualified throughout the election period and, if elected, throughout the term of office. A person is entitled to be a candidate if you:
- are a resident of the Town of Essex, or an owner or tenant of land in the Town of Essex, or the spouse of such an owner or tenant;
- are a Canadian citizen;
- are at least 18 years old on Voting Day; and
- are not prohibited from voting by law.
If entitled to be a candidate, you can run in any ward - you do not have to live in a particular ward in order to be its councillor. However, if you run in a ward where you do not live, you will not be able to vote for yourself. Having a campaign office or a business in a ward where you would not otherwise be eligible to vote does not make you eligible to vote in that ward. Consult the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 for further information.
What are the basic rules for campaign contributions and finances?
A candidate does not have to open a bank account if they do not raise or spend money. The Clerk provides all candidates with estimated and final spending limits.
Contributions to candidates from unions and corporations are prohibited in municipal elections, but unions and corporations may participate as third party advertisers and contribute to third party advertisers. The same contribution rules will apply to third party advertiser campaigns as to candidates.
Anonymous and cash contributions cannot exceed $25. Contributions over $25 must be made in a way that links the contributor's name and account with the payment. Candidates must inform contributors of contribution limits.
If goods sold to raise funds are sold for $25 or less, that amount is considered campaign income, not a contribution. Donations under $25 received at fundraising events are not contributions. See the Campaign Finance Information Sheet for a detailed explanation.
When is the deadline to submit a campaign finance report?
Candidates for office are required to submit financial details of their campaign. Candidates are entitled to a refund of the filing fee if they submit their campaign financial statement by the deadline.
A candidate who misses the filing deadline may file within a 30-day grace period, provided a $500 late filing fee is paid to the municipality. A candidate may resubmit a financial statement to correct an error up until the filing deadline.
The Clerk is required to make public a report of which candidates filed financial statements and which did not. See the Municipal Election Key Dates for more information.
Where can I find information about becoming a candidate, and how do I file a nomination?
Candidates Packages are available at Town Hall at 33 Talbot St S, Essex, Ontario upon request.
Please contact elections@essex.ca or call 519-776-7336 ext. 1146 to request a Candidates Package and to book your nomination appointment. Nominations are open from May 1, 2026 to August 21, 2026 at 2:00 PM.
When reusing election signs, we understand we must report them as new purchases. If we add stickers to update them for re-election, can we omit that additional cost?
It is our understanding that the quote you obtain would be a quote for a “re-election” sign. As such, the quote would include the price of the sticker. In our opinion, you can reduce the sticker expense from the quote amount since the quote will assume that the signs include the “re-elect” wording.
For example, we would expect that your financial statement would look like the following:
- Quote for “Re-Election” Signs: $5,000
- Reduction for Cost of “Re-Elect” Stickers: ($1,000)
- Costs of “Re-Elect” Stickers: $1,000
- Total Cost of Signs: $5,000
Our understanding is that candidates who are running for multiple terms are not set to bear the additional costs of stickers to add "re-elect" to the signs as such costs would be contemplated in the quote.
If you would like further confirmation, we suggest that you seek independent legal advice. Should your financial reporting be questioned, it will be investigated by the Town’s Compliance Audit Committee who would make the final determination.
When I opened my campaign finance bank account, the bank asked for a letter, what should I give them?
Your bank should be able to accept the official Declaration of Qualification which is commissioned when you file your nomination. If that is not accepted as official documentation, a letter to the bank can be provided for you through elections@essex.ca.
Can a candidate have a debit card or use e-transfers for their account finances?
Yes, a candidate can open any type of separate account and use debit cards and e-transfers. Please be aware that you need to collect donor information with that transaction that includes name, address and contact information for your campaign reporting purposes.
Are campaign activities allowed in multi-unit residential buildings?
Yes, Candidates and their representatives are allowed full access to rented premises, condominiums and co-operative housing for the purpose of canvassing and distributing elections material. The Municipal Elections Act, 1996 sets out the following rules:
- Access to residential premises
88.1 No person who is in control of an apartment building, condominium building, non-profit housing cooperative or gated community may prevent a candidate or his or her representative from campaigning between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. at the doors to the apartments, units or houses, as the case may be. 2016, c. 15, s. 46.
- Display of signs at residential premises
88.2 (1) No landlord or person acting on a landlord’s behalf may prohibit a tenant from displaying signs in relation to an election on the premises to which the lease relates. 2016, c. 15, s. 46.
Is there a list of candidate who have registered for the municipal election?
Yes, the registered candidate names are posted on our Candidate List page on the Town of Essex website.
