One of the school boards is still looking for candidates to fill the ballot in the upcoming election.
OXFORD COUNTY - An extended nomination period has been granted for the upcoming municipal election.
The City of Woodstock is still looking for candidates to run for the School Board Trustee position for Conseil scolaire catholique Providence. Manager of Legislative Services / Deputy City Clerk and 2026 Municipal and School Board Election Returning Officer for the City of Woodstock, Jeff Bunn, was able to answer our questions regarding the process.
1) The City of Woodstock will have an extended nomination period tomorrow. What role is it for?
As the number of nominations received was less than the number of positions to be filled, an extended nomination period will be held for the office of Conseil scolaire catholique Providence Trustee (French Separate School Board). The extended nomination period provides an additional opportunity for eligible candidates to file nomination papers for this position only.
2) Are the nomination rules the same? Does this person have to submit the same paperwork with the same number of signatures? Could someone, in theory, pick up a nomination package in the morning and drop it off before the deadline?
Yes, the nomination rules and qualification requirements remain the same. Absolutely, a potential candidate could either download a copy of the nomination package or pick one up at City Hall on Wednesday and file by 2:00 p.m. the same day, provided they have completed all the required forms.
3) With it being a school board position, can the potential candidate file their papers with any Oxford municipality, or does it have to be Woodstock?
The City of Woodstock is responsible for accepting nominations in Oxford County. Candidates can file a nomination with their local Clerk if their home municipality is more than 100 km from Woodstock (i.e., at the Clerk’s Office for the Village of Newbury, Municipality of Southwest Middlesex, or the Municipality of West Elgin). Alternatively, candidates who live outside of Oxford County may submit their nomination electronically by emailing election@cityofwoodstock.ca.
4) Is this a common occurrence for Woodstock? When was the last time the city had to open an extended nomination day?
While the City of Woodstock has not had an extended nomination period in recent memory, the process itself is a standard provision under Ontario's municipal election framework and is not uncommon across the province when there are fewer candidates nominated than positions to be filled.
5) What happens if no one files during the extended nomination period? What's next?
There are a few possible outcomes following the extended nomination period. If one candidate files a nomination and it is certified by the Clerk, that candidate may be declared elected by acclamation. If more than one candidate files, an election will be held for the office.
If no nominations are received during the extended nomination period, the position will remain vacant following the election. At that point, the Municipal Elections Act provides two potential options for filling the vacancy. Depending on the circumstances, the vacancy may be filled through a by-election or by appointment by the elected members of the school board.
Option 1: By-Election
A by-election must be held if:
The number of candidates elected is insufficient to fill a majority of positions on the school board; or
The vacancy cannot be filled through the appointment process set out in s.38.
Option 2: Appointment
If a majority of trustee positions on the school board have been filled, the elected members of the board may appoint a qualified individual to fill the vacancy in accordance with s.38 of the MEA.
A determination on which option applies cannot be made until the election results are finalized and the status of the school board's elected membership is known. In short, if no nominations are received, the vacancy for the office of Conseil scolaire catholique Providence Trustee will be addressed after the election in accordance with the requirements of the Municipal Elections Act.
If you have any questions about becoming a candidate, you can click here for all the information.
WPS Make Arrests with K9 Unit and Drone
Zorra Township Candidate Profile - Roger Moyer
Tip Tuesday with the Oxford OPP - August 2026
News Poll: Online Voting in 2026
Ingersoll Driver Charged in Thames Centre
Blandford-Blenheim Candidate Profile - Clay Haight
Thousands Attend Conservative BBQ in Woodstock
Norwich Candidate Profile - Tim Thompson
Introducing Princeton Fire Station 81
Input Needed for Road Safety Strategy
PM Carney says Canada will Meet U.S tariffs “Dollar for Dollar”
EZT Candidate Profile - Jon Ross
OCCA to Host 6th Annual BBQ at Pittock
United Way Prepares for Campaign Kick Off
Charges Laid in Single Vehicle Crash
WPS Conduct Open Air Drug Enforcement
Ingersoll Candidate Profile - Matt Daltrey
A&W Burgers to Beat MS Today
Early Bird Ticket Sales Begin for Big Night Out
Thamesford Lions to Celebrate 65 Years this Saturday
Comments
Add a comment