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When is the Voting Period?
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Voting opens at 10:00 a.m. on October 16, 2026, and closes at 8:00 p.m. on Voting Day, October 26, 2026. Electors may vote online or by telephone at any time during the voting period.
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Where will the Voter Assistance Centres (VACs) be located?
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Voters requiring assistance may attend one of the Municipality's Voter Assistance Centres (VACs).
The Municipality will operate the following VACs during the 2026 Municipal and School Board Election:
Town Hall, 56 Queen Street
- October 16, 2026 – 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Advance vote period)
- October 19-24, 2026 – 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Advance vote period)
- The VAC will be open until 7:00 p.m. on October 21, 2026
- October 26, 2026 – 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Voting Day)
Port Hope Community Hub, 5325 County Road 10
- October 21, 2026 – 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (Advance vote period)
- October 22-24, 2026 – 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Advance vote period)
- October 26, 2026 – 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Voting Day)
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| How do I vote? |
In late September/early October, eligible voters will receive a Voter Information Letter by mail through Canada Post. This letter will include:
- instructions on how to vote using the internet or telephone
- a unique PIN allowing each voter to voter once
- voting dates and times
- the locations for the Voter Assistance Centres
- the Voting Helpline (905-885-4544 ext. 0)
If you receive a Voter Information letter that is not addressed to your property, please return it to the Office of the Clerk, Town Hall, 56 Queen Street, Port Hope.
When voting, voters will have a chance to review and change their choices before they confirm their vote. The voting system also allows voters to choose not to vote in a race if they wish. |
| Am I eligible to vote in the upcoming Municipal Election? |
You can vote in the 2026 Municipal and School Board Election if you are:
- A resident of the Municipality of Port Hope; or, a non-resident, who is an owner or tenant of land in the Municipality or a spouse of such owner or tenant; and,
- A Canadian citizen;
- At least 18 years of age; and
- Are not prohibited from voting under the Municipal Elections Act or otherwise by law.
Remember: You can only vote once, regardless of how many properties you own or rent. If you own multiple properties within the Municipality of Port Hope, please vote based on your primary residence. |
| Who cannot vote in the Municipal Election? |
Under the Municipal Elections Act, the following are prohibited from voting:
- A person who is serving a sentence of imprisonment in a penal or correctional institution;
- A corporation;
- A person acting as executor or trustee or in any other representative capacity, except as a voting proxy in accordance with section 44 (Port Hope is utilizing alternative voting measures and therefore voting by proxy is not applicable); and
- A person who was convicted of the corrupt practice described in subsection 90 (3), if voting day in the current election is less than five (5) years after voting day in the election in respect of which they was convicted.
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| If I need help, how can I contact the Municipality? |
Please contact election staff via email at elections@porthope.ca or by calling 905-885-4544 ext. 0 or visit the Municipality of Port Hope website at www.porthope.ca/votes for assistance.
During the voting period (October 16 to 26), you can also visit a Voter Assistance Centre. The Municipality will operate the following VACs during the 2026 Municipal and School Board Election:
Town Hall, 56 Queen Street
Port Hope Community Hub, 5325 County Road 10
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| Who can vote for Separate School Trustee? |
Separate school electors must be Roman Catholic and be otherwise qualified to be separate school electors. Where children attend school does not have any bearing on voter qualifications.
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| Can every elector vote for School Board Offices? |
Non-resident owners or tenants, or spouses of owners or tenants, of commercially and industrially assessed lands are not eligible to vote for school board offices.
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| If I have a disability, such as deafness, blindness, or a mobility-related disability, can someone assist me with the voting process? |
Yes. Electronic voting offers greater privacy and independence for voters with disabilities that may make traditional in-person voting more difficult. For example, voters who are blind may choose to vote by telephone, and voters who are deaf may choose to vote online, often with little or no assistance. If you need assistance with voting or have other accessibility needs, please attend a Voter Assistance Centre where an Election Official will be available to help you. |
| How do I know if I am on the Voters' List? |
Elections Ontario maintains the Permanent Register of Electors for Ontario, also known as the Voters' List. You must be on the Voters’ List to vote, and being listed helps ensure you receive a Voter Information Letter.
You can check your information through Election Ontario’s Register to Vote portal. There, you can:
- Confirm, update or add your name and home address
- Search, add or remove a property other than your home address
- Remove yourself from the register
- Remove a deceased person from the register
- Check the status of a request
Important Note: The deadline to use Election Ontario’s Register to Vote portal is August 12, 2026.
Starting September 1, 2026, and ending at the close of voting on October 26, 2026, if you need to add, remove, or change your information, you must complete the required Application to Amend Voters’ List (Form EL15).
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| What if my name is not on the voter's list? |
Starting September 1, 2026, eligible voters can visit the Municipal Clerk’s Office at 56 Queen Street, Port Hope, during regular business hours, or attend a Voter Assistance Centre (VAC) to be added to the Voters’ List. Voters may also email elections@porthope.ca to confirm whether they are on the Voters’ List.
The Municipality will operate the following VACs during the 2026 Municipal and School Board Election:
Town Hall, 56 Queen Street
- October 19-24, 2026 – 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Advance vote period)
The VAC will be open until 7:00 p.m. on October 21, 2026
Port Hope Community Hub, 5325 County Road 10
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| Starting September 1, 2026, where can I complete an Application to Amend the Voters’ List (EL15) |
The Application to Amend the Voters’ List (EL15) form is used to add, delete, or correct information on the municipal voters' list. Please contact election staff via email at elections@porthope.ca or by calling 905-885-4544 ext. 0 or you can also visit Town Hall, 56 Queen Street, Port Hope or a Voter Assistance Centre.
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| Do I need to bring identification to a Voter Assistance Centre? |
If you need to add your name to the voters’ list and you haven’t already done so online, remember to bring valid identification to a Voter Assistance Centre. You are required to show proof of your identity and residence or complete a Declaration of Identity declaring that you are the elector shown on the voters’ list.
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| Can I remove someone else's name from the voters' list? |
Yes, if the person is deceased. You may bring the proof of death to the Municipal Clerk’s Office at the Municipal Administrative office, 56 Queen Street, Port Hope.
No, if the person is living. You cannot remove another living person from the Voters’ List except yourself.
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| I just moved to Port Hope. Can I still vote? |
Yes, but you may not be on the Voters’ List. There are two ways you can add your name to the list between September 1 and October 26, 2026, during regular business hours (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and until 8 p.m. on October 26):
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| I am sure I am on the Voters' List, but I am told I'm not. Why? |
There may be several reasons why you’re not showing on the voters’ list, including:
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| My company owns a property in Port Hope. Can I vote here? |
No. If the business is the owner of the property, you would not qualify as a non-resident voter.
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| I live in one municipality and own property in another municipality. Do I have to choose which municipality to vote in? |
You are eligible to vote in the municipality where you live and the municipality where you qualify as a non-resident voter. You can vote in both municipalities. If both municipalities are in the same school board, you can only vote for a school trustee in one municipality.
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| I live in one ward in the Municipality and own a property in another ward, also in the Municipality. Can I choose which ward I want to vote in? |
No, you must vote in the ward where you live.
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| If I own or rent property here but I don't reside here, can I still vote in the Municipality of Port Hope? |
Yes, as a non-resident elector. You can only be a resident elector in one municipality. However, you can be a non-resident elector in any other municipality (or municipalities) where you own or rent a property.
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| If I turn 18 on Voting Day, can I vote? |
Yes, as long as you turn 18 on or before October 26, 2026, and meet all other eligibility criteria.
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| I go to school in another municipality, can I still vote in the Municipality of Port Hope? |
Yes, if you are a student and consider your “home” to be the place where you live when you are not attending school (i.e., you plan on returning there), then you are eligible to vote in both your “home” municipality and in the municipality where you currently live while attending school.
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| How do I update my school support? |
As of January 1, 2024, the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation ("MPAC") is no longer responsible for collecting voter information for municipal election. However, MPAC is still required by legislation to collect school support designations.
The deadline to update your school designation for the 2026 Municipal and School Board Election through MPAC's Online School Support webpage was June 1, 2026.
If you need to make a change now, you can still update your school support through MPAC's Online School Support page, using AboutMyProperty or the online tenant portal. MPAC will record the change; however, because the June 1 deadline has passed, the update will not automatically appear on the Preliminary List of Electors or the initial Voters’ List.
To help ensure your updated school support is reflected for the October 26, 2026 Municipal and School Board Election, please follow these steps:
- Submit your change online. Log in to, or register for, MPAC’s AboutMyProperty service, or use the online tenant portal to submit your updated school support designation.
- Save your confirmation. After submitting your update, you will receive a confirmation email from MPAC.
- Contact your municipality. Forward your confirmation email to elections@porthope.ca so staff can review and, where applicable, update your information on the final Voters’ List in accordance with the Municipal Elections Act, 1996. You may also attend Town Hall (56 Queen Street, Port Hope) in person after September 1, 2026 to complete the applicable form and request an update.
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| How do I vote if I am away from home, out of town, out of the province, or out of the country? |
You may vote during the voting period using the Internet from anywhere in the world, as long as you have your Voter Information Letter. You may also vote by telephone anywhere in North America by calling the toll-free number provided in your Voter Information letter. |
| I am not an eligible voter, but I received a voter information letter. What should I do? |
Only eligible voters can cast their ballot in the 2026 Municipal and School Board Elections. Please contact election staff immediately via email at elections@porthope.ca or by calling 905-885-4544 ext. 0 to be removed from the Voters’ List and have the PIN deactivated. Alternatively, Voter Information Letters may be brought to Town Hall, 56 Queen Street, Port Hope, ON L1A 3Z9 to have the PIN deactivated by the Municipal Clerk. |
| What if I have a rotary phone, no cell phone, and no computer with Internet access? How can I vote? |
You do not need to vote from home. You may vote from any location using a touch-tone telephone or any computer with secure Internet access. You may also vote in person at a Voter Assistance Centre. Locations for Voter Assistance Centres are provided in the Voter Information Letters sent to eligible electors (or above).
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| What do I do if the phone line is busy when I call and try to vote? |
If a phone line is busy, simply hang up and call back a short time later. The voting system can handle a high volume of calls at the same time, but there may be periods when many voters are trying to access the system in the same timeframe. Voting remains open for several days during the voting period, so voters will have multiple opportunities to connect and cast their ballot. |
| What if I do not get a PIN in the mail by Election Day? |
In late September/early October, eligible voters on the official Voters’ List will receive a Voter Information Letter by mail through Canada Post containing your PIN. If you do not receive your Voter Information Letter containing your PIN by the start of the voting period, you may request a replacement PIN by contacting election staff via email at elections@porthope.ca, by calling the Voter Helpline (905-885-4544 ext. 0) or you can also visit Town Hall, 56 Queen Street, Port Hope or a Voting Assistance Centre. If election records show that a PIN was already mailed to you, the original PIN will be disabled and cannot be used to vote. A replacement PIN can be issued provided the original PIN has not already been used and you provide appropriate identification. |
| Why might I not receive a PIN in the mail? |
There are two (2) common reasons you may not receive a PIN in the mail. First, your name was not on the official Voters’ List, as PINs are only mailed to eligible electors whose names are included on the list provided by Elections Ontario. Secondly, your PIN may have been mailed but delayed within the postal system |
| If someone calls me and asks for my PIN, what should I do? |
Your voting PIN should be kept private and confidential, just like your bank card PIN. Do not share it with anyone who calls, emails, or approaches you asking for it. This includes your family members or those that share your home. |
| Could someone steal my PIN and use it to vote? |
It is illegal to steal and open another person’s mail. It is also illegal to impersonate another elector and use their PIN to vote. Both offences are subject to penalties under the law.
If you believe someone has used your PIN to vote without your authorization, you should report it to the Municipal Clerk/Returning Officer immediately by emailing elections@porthope.ca or by calling 905-885-4544 ext. 0.
You may be eligible to receive a replacement PIN by appearing before the Municipal Clerk/Returning Officer and swearing an affidavit confirming that the PIN assigned to you was used by someone else, and not by you.
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| If someone knows my PIN, can they find out how I voted? |
No. The voting system does not record how a particular PIN has voted; it only records that the PIN was used to cast a ballot. |
| Once I receive my PIN, do I need to register in advance to vote? |
No. There is no additional registration required. During the voting period, you may use your PIN by telephone or internet to cast your vote. |
| What if I lose or misplace my PIN? |
If an elector loses or misplaces their PIN, they should contact the Voter Helpline (905-885-4544 ext. 0) The Election Official can decide to replace the missing PIN if it has not already been voted. They will determine if a voter has to travel to a location, sign a form, and then replace the missing PIN, or they can decide to allow the Voter HelpLine agent to authenticate the caller and issue a replacement PIN over the phone, after following the required authentication process. In both cases, the original lost or missing PIN will be disabled, and it will not be able to be voted in the election. |
| Is it possible to receive more than one (1) voting PIN? |
Yes, although it is uncommon. If you receive more than one (1) PIN, it usually means your name appears on the Voters’ List more than once. This can happen, for example, if you have recently moved and were listed at both addresses, or if you own property in more than one (1) location.
You are only permitted to vote once in a municipality, and it is illegal to vote more than once. You should vote only using the PIN issued to your primary place of residence. If you receive an additional PIN, contact the Voter Helpline (905-885-4544 ext. 0) so the extra PIN can be cancelled and made unusable for the election. |
| Once I enter my PIN and start my voting process do I have to complete all ballots in one session? For example, what if I am interrupted and must hang up the phone for some reason or, if I am voting using the Internet and must leave my session? |
If an Elector is interrupted before casting their vote, they may re-commence voting later using the same method or the other method. Once a Elector has cast the vote, that Elector will not be granted access to Telephone/Internet Voting again.
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| Can I vote for ward candidates in a ward other than the one I live in? |
No. You can only vote for ward candidates in the ward where you live or own property. You cannot vote for ward candidates in any other ward. |
| Who are the candidates for my ward? |
The list of certified candidates will be available following Certification Day on Monday, August 24, 2026 and available on the Information for Voters webpage.
In September, voters can also visit the Meet the Candidates webpage to find out more information about candidates running in the 2026 municipal election. |
| How long does it take to vote online? |
Casting your ballot only takes a few minutes.
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| How can I verify that I am accessing the actual voting site and not a fake site? |
When accessing the voting website, HTTPS and a padlock icon will appear in the address bar, confirming a secure connection. If you get a message indicating that the site's digital certificate does not match the address where it connects to (or a similar message), you may be accessing a fake site. If this happens, please contact election staff by calling 905-885-4544 ext. 0 immediately.
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| What internet speed do voters need? |
No specific minimum. The voting system is lightweight and runs on any connection capable of loading a basic webpage. In practice, any connection that reliably loads modern websites will support the voting experience.
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| Which browsers are supported? |
The internet voting system supports the latest versions of:
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Desktop: Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, Opera, and Apple Safari.
The voting system also works on older versions of these browsers released within the past several years. We recommend staying current for security and performance, but it is not required.
Other browsers may also work but have not been tested.
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| What do I do if my online voting session times out due to inactivity? |
For security, online voting sessions automatically end after 40 minutes of inactivity. After 30 minutes of inactivity, a warning message will appear. To remain logged in, click “OK.”
If your session times out:
No votes are recorded until you complete the entire ballot and click “Confirm.”
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| Why am I having trouble accessing the voting web address? |
If you are having trouble accessing the voting website, please make sure you enter the web address exactly as it appears on your Voter Information Letter into your internet browser’s address bar. Do not enter it into a search engine such as Google.
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| What if the internet / telephone system does not recognize my date of birth? |
Please contact election staff via email at elections@porthope.ca or by calling 905-885-4544 ext. 0.
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| What should I do if the voting system shows the incorrect candidates for my ward or school board? |
The candidates shown to you is based on your place of residence as recorded on the Voters’ List and will be noted in your Voter Information Letter. If you have moved and your new address was not updated prior to the Voters’ List being finalized, you may see candidates associated with your former address. If this happens, exit the voting system without casting your vote for the affected race. You should then contact the Voter Helpline (905-885-4544 ext. 0). After confirming your identity, an Election Official may be able to update your voter category electronically. Once this has been completed, the correct list of candidates will appear when you log back into the voting system. |
| What should I do if I am not sure whether I completed a ballot? |
During the voting period, you can log back into the voting system using your PIN and other required credentials.
- If you have not finished voting, the system will take you to the next race you still need to complete.
- If you have already completed all your assigned races, the system will provide a message confirming your voting status.
If you still need help, you can call the Voter Helpline (905-885-4544 ext. 0) for more information or visit a Voter Assistance Centre.
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| What do I do if I log in to the online voting system to vote and it says I have already voted? |
Where an Elector has tried to validate their PIN and they have determined that it has already been used, the Elector must attend a Voter Assistance Centre and prove to the satisfaction of the Municipal Clerk or Deputy Clerk that they did not vote and require a new PIN.
Prior to the issuance of a new VIL which contains a new PIN, the Elector shall be required to complete an “Application for Re-issuance of a Voter Information Letter” attesting that the Elector has not voted in the 2026 Municipal and School Board Election.
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| If a voter is disconnected during the voting session, can they re-enter the voting system? |
If a voting session is interrupted at any time before the voter confirms their vote, the voter can simply re-enter the voting system, enter their information, and complete their ballot. Information entered but not submitted will not be saved.
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| If I log in to the voting system, but do not want to submit my ballot, can I exit the system and access it later? |
Yes, you may exit the voting system and return later as long as you have not clicked “Confirm.” Your vote will only be recorded once the ballot is fully completed and submitted.
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| Can a voter change their vote after it has been confirmed? |
No. Once a vote has been confirmed, it cannot be changed. This is similar process to placing a completed ballot in the ballot box during a traditional paper-based election, which protects voter anonymity and ballot secrecy. After a vote is cast, the system records only that the PIN was used to submit a ballot in the election; it does not retain information linking the voter to how the ballot was marked. As a result, the ballot cannot be retrieved or removed from the final count. |
| Can anyone tell how I voted if they know my online PIN? |
No, the system does not track how a voter has voted, only that the PIN has been used to submit a ballot. |
| How does the online voting system protect the integrity and privacy of the vote? |
Votes are encrypted at all times. No one can manipulate them, including Election Officials. |
| If I am using the telephone to vote, how will I know what number to press to vote for the candidate of my choice, or what if I make a mistake and select a different candidate than the one I want to vote for? |
The Voter Information Letter mailed to you has the list of candidates included on it for your reference purpose. The system will present you with the race to vote for, it lists the eligible candidates running for that position and instructs you to select the corresponding number for that candidate. You may also clear your ballot selections and start over. |
| How much money can I contribute to a candidate? |
A contributor cannot make contributions exceeding a total of $1,200 to any one candidate in an election. This limit is never to be exceeded, regardless of the number of offices a candidate may have been nominated for during an election period.
In addition, a contributor cannot make contributions totaling more than $5,000 to multiple candidates for office on the same council or local board.
Cash contributions exceeding $25 must not be accepted by, or on behalf of, a candidate. Contributions over $25 must be made in the manner that identifies the contributor and the account from which the payment was made or by a money order signed by the contributor.
All contributions made to a candidate are considered public information and must be reported in the candidate’s financial statements, in accordance with the Municipal Elections Act, 1996.
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| Can I take a selfie with my ballot? |
Taking a picture of a completed ballot – yours or anyone else’s – is a violation of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, (the Act) because it violates the secrecy of the vote.
It is also a violation of the Act to publish a photo on your social media channels or elsewhere of a completed ballot.
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| How do I complain about an election sign? |
If you have questions about the placement of election signs in the Municipality of Port Hope, please contact election staff via email at elections@porthope.ca or by calling 905-885-4544 ext. 0 |
| What are the penalties for voter fraud? |
Each eligible voter can only vote once in the 2026 Port Hope Municipal and School Board Elections, regardless of how many properties they own. It’s the law. If convicted of voter fraud, you may face:
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| When is the inaugural Council meeting? |
Date: November 17, 2026
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: Council Chambers (second level) Town Hall, 56 Queen Street, Port Hope
Residents can also watch the Inauguration live on the Municipality’s YouTube Channel
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As a Canadian citizen, voting is your right and responsibility. Your community is shaped by the outcome of an election. The people who are elected will make many important decisions including how tax dollars are spent in your community.
