Port Colborne Votes - Municipal Elections 2022

Are You Eligible to Vote?

You are eligible to vote in the election for municipal council if:

 There are three ways that you can qualify to vote in a municipality:

1. As a resident elector if you live in the municipality. You may own, rent, live in shared accommodation where you do not pay rent or live in the municipality but do not have a fixed address. Being a resident elector is the most common type of eligibility.

2. As a non-resident elector if you own or rent property in a municipality, but it’s not the one where you live. You can be a resident elector in only one municipality. However, you can be a non-resident elector in any other municipality (or municipalities) where you own or rent property.
3. As the spouse of a non-resident elector if your spouse owns or rents property in the municipality or municipalities other than the one where you live.  

Are you on the Voter's List?

To check if you are on the municipal Voter's List, contact City Hall staff during regular business hours, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday:

• Over the phone: 905-835-2900
• In person: City Hall @ 66 Charlotte Street, Port Colborne

From September 1st to Voting Day on October 24th, electors can make an application with the Clerk’s Division to add, correct or delete information contained on the voter's list. At advanced polls and on voting day, election officials will be available to make revisions at the polling location.

Voters who need to update their Voter's List information must complete an Application to Amend the Voter's List (Form EL15). 

Printed copies of the form can be found at City Hall and the Vale Health and Wellness Centre.

To print the form at home, please click the link below:

Application to Amend the Voter's List - EL 15 Form

Completed forms may be filed in person or by your agent at the Clerk’s Office in City Hall during regular operating hours (8:30 am to 4:30 pm). 

 Voting Methods

As an elector, there are several ways that you can cast your ballot:  

Certified Candidates

The following are the certified candidates in the 2022 Municipal and School Board Election in the City of Port Colborne. Click the link below to see the list of certified candidates, their contact information, as well as their qualifying address: 

2022 Official List of Certified Candidates

Candidate Information

Who can be a Candidate?

• Candidates must be a resident of the municipality, a non-resident owner or tenant of land in the municipality, or the spouse of such non-resident owner or tenant;

• a Canadian citizen and at least 18 years old;

• not legally prohibited from voting;

• not disqualified by any legislation from holding municipal office.

• Candidates will need 25 signatures of endorsement from eligible voters and must pay a fee of $100 ($200 for mayor) 

*THE NOMINATION PERIOD HAS NOW CLOSED*

Forms and More Information: 

2022 Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) Candidate Guide

2022 Port Colborne Candidates Guide

Port Colborne Election Sign By-law

MMAH Presentation for Candidates 

Yearly Stipend:

The current yearly stipend for City Council is:

• Mayor $46,175
• Councillors $11,489 (Current Remuneration)

**Councillors $22,978 (Proposed Remuneration - Under Review)

Niagara Region Election News

Seat at the Table Program

Niagara Region is offering a series of workshops to help communities that are underrepresented in municipal politics feel informed and educated when making the decision to run for local government.

Learn more about the Seat at the Table program on the Region's project page. 

Recruitment for Niagara Compliance Audit Committee

Niagara's local area municipalities, school boards and Niagara Region have formed a Joint Compliance Audit Committee. We are recruiting experienced professionals to form a roster of eligible members for appointment to the 2022 - 2026 Niagara Compliance Audit Committee. 

Visit Niagara Region to learn more about how to apply:

https://www.niagararegion.ca/government/council/municipal-election/compliance-audit-committee.aspx 

 Third Party Advertiser

Third party advertising refers to advertisements or other materials that support, promote or oppose a candidate, or support, promote or oppose a “yes” or “no” answer to a question on the ballot. The meaning of “third party” in this context means a person or entity who is not a candidate. Third party advertising is separate from any candidate’s campaign, and must be done independently from a candidate. Any advertisements or materials that are made and distributed by a candidate, or under a candidate’s direction, are part of the candidate’s campaign. 

For More Information and Forms: 

2022 Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing Third Party Advertisers’ Guide

Notice of Registration – Third Party 

 2022 Key Election Dates

• Candidate Nomination Period opens. Nomination forms may be filed during regular business hours in the Office of the City Clerk, located at 66 Charlotte Street.

• A person cannot raise or spend money on an election campaign until they have filed the nomination paperwork.

August 19, 2022 - 2:00 p.m.

•  Nomination Day. Candidate Nomination Period closes.
• Those interested in running as a candidate have until 2:00 p.m. to file their nomination papers, withdraw a nomination, or change office.

August 22, 2022

• Certification of Nomination Forms and Acclamations. The City Clerk will certify nomination forms prior to 4:00 p.m.
• If there are positions declared elected by acclamation (e.g. no other candidates running for the same position), a list will be posted by the City after 4:00 p.m.

September 2022

• Voters' List available to candidates - September 1, 2022

October 2022 

• Port Colborne Voters go to the Polls
  • Advanced Voting 
  • Election Day Voting
• During the week of October 24th, 2022 Official Election results are declared by the City Clerk as soon as possible after voting day.

November 15, 2022

• New Council terms begins.

November 22, 2022

• Inaugural meeting of City Council.