MBC News file photo
Norfolk County has officially certified the candidates who will appear on the ballot in the 2026 municipal election.
The Norfolk County Clerk reviewed and approved all nominations following the close of the nomination period on August 21 at 2 p.m. Candidates were required to meet the requirements of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996.
The 2026 election will see 33 candidates running for Mayor and Council, slightly more than the 30 candidates who ran in 2022.
However, the field remains smaller than it was in 2018, when 36 candidates entered the race. That election saw particularly crowded races in Ward 1 and Ward 6, with six candidates running in each ward.
Here is the complete list of certified candidates:
Mayor
- Doug Brunton
- David Finch
- Ken Gilpin
- Noel Haydt
- Ken Hewitt
- Keith Milner
- Adam Veri
Ward 1
- Greg D’Hulster
- Tom Masschaele
Ward 2
- Linda Vandendriessche
- Debbie Wilbur
Ward 3
- Chris Gill
- Doug Moyaert
- Hetty Verlinden
Ward 4
- Drew Hemsley
- Jeni Lambert
- Chris Van Paassen
Ward 5
Two candidates will be elected in Ward 5.
- Kevin Allen
- Peter Black
- Ryan Boyko
- Quentin Dixon
- Alan Duthie
- Princess Peace
- Mike Storoschuk
- Bob Townsend
- Dennis Travale
- Krissi Wiseman
Ward 6
- Zvonko Horvat
- Ray Hunter
- Bill Jukes
- Pam Taylor
Ward 7
- Warren Cummings
- Kim Huffman
Grand Erie District School Board Trustee — Wards 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6
- Eva Dixon
- John Harris
- Liz Whiton
Grand Erie District School Board Trustee — Wards 3 and 7
- Rita Collver
- Lorraine DeJong
- Jason Gemmill
- Tom Waldschmidt
Certification for the Grand Erie District School Board candidates was completed by the Clerk of Brant County. Norfolk County will report the election results only.
Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board Trustee
- Carol Luciani
- Dennis Blake
Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir School Board Trustee
- Dorothée Petit-Pas
Certification for the Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir candidate was completed by the Clerk of the City of Kitchener. Norfolk County will report the election results only.
Conseil scolaire Viamonde School Board Trustee
- David Paradis
Certification for the Conseil scolaire Viamonde candidate was completed by the Clerk of the City of Sarnia. Norfolk County will report the election results only.
Online voting new for 2026
Norfolk County will introduce online voting for the first time in the 2026 municipal election.
Online voting will be available from Friday, October 9 through Friday, October 23. Eligible voters will be able to cast their ballot using a computer or mobile device from anywhere with an internet connection during the advanced voting period.
The County will also have in-person Online Voting Assistance Centres available to help residents who need assistance with online voting. Voters will also be able to cast a paper ballot at those locations during the advance voting period.
Election Day
In-person voting will take place on Monday, October 26, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Polling station locations for each ward are available through Norfolk County.
To be eligible to vote, a person must be at least 18 years old, a Canadian citizen and either a resident of Norfolk County, a non-resident who owns or rents property in the municipality, or the spouse of a property owner or tenant.
Norfolk County voters will choose their municipal representatives and school board trustees when they head to the polls this fall.
