Time to stand up and be counted for your school, city or town’s elected office

City of Barrie council chambers in this undated file image. Fri., May 1, 2026. PHOTO: CTV NEWS BARRIE

Although potential candidates have until August to enter the race, people started to declare their intentions for October’s municipal election early Friday morning.

All eyes are on the clerk’s office at municipal buildings across the region today. The window officially opened May 1 for anyone wanting to run for mayor, councillor, or a school board trustee.

“A councillor or mayor candidate, you must have 25 endorsement signatures. It’s $200- to run for the office of mayor or $100-dollars to run for the office councillor. You have to be a qualified elector in the city of Barrie,” said Tammy Cooks at Barrie’s city hall.

Potential candidates have until August to put their name forward. Historically voter turnout is low at the municipal level compared to provincial and federal elections. Voter turnout was 32.9% in 2022 way down from 38.3% in 2018.

Bracebridge Mayor Rick Maloney has not yet announced his intentions. He says he hopes to see more people vote and more people try to get involved politically.

“There are so many things in your daily life that are touched by the services that municipalities provide, whether it’s the hockey rink, the tennis court, the road that you drive on to get into work and the sidewalk that you walk your dog on,” said Bracebridge Mayor Rick Maloney.

Jennifer Coughlin will be seeking re-election as mayor of Springwater Township.

She too encouraged more people to get involved saying in a statement to CTV News “Healthy democracy requires passionate, committed candidates who are willing to put their name on a ballot be part of shaping our future,” Coughlin said.

County of Simcoe Warden and Ramara Township Mayor Basil Clarke will not be seeking re-election as mayor after more than two decades in public office.

“I think it’s time, and I think it’s ironic this year that the election lands on my 61st birthday October 26th so that’s almost like a sign it’s done,” said Ramara Township Mayor Basil Clarke.

“I will no longer be going to meetings every week in Ramara Township - I think it’s just time – I’ve been there long enough,” he said.

Anyone wishing to officially enter the race in the upcoming election has until August 21st.

Election day is set for Monday, October the 26th.