Start thinking about whether you want to run for town council

Roger Varley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

In October, Uxbridge residents will make their quadrennial trip to the polls to elect the next municipal government. For anyone thinking of throwing their hat into the ring and running for municipal council, the following information could be helpful.

Although polling day isn't until Oct. 26, nominations for positions on council open on May 2. Nominations will no longer be accepted after 2 p.m., Aug. 21. However, township clerk Debbie Leroux, who oversees local municipal elections, said nomination forms are not available just yet.

Nominations must be filed using the prescribed forms (available from the township offices) and accompanied by a filing fee of $100 for all positions, except that of mayor, where the filing fee is $200. Nominations for a position on council must be endorsed by at least 25 persons. No one considering running for office may solicit or accept contributions for election purposes or incur campaign expenses until a nomination paper has been filed.

There are a few qualifications necessary to be a candidate. Candidates must be Canadian citizens, aged 18 or older, eligible to vote in the election and not prohibited by law from running for office.

There are seven seats available on council: mayor, regional councillor and five ward councillors. Also up for grabs are the roles of school trustees for the Durham District School Board and the Durham District Catholic School Board, although candidates for the DDSB trustee position must file their nomination papers in Port Perry.

As for the post of regional chair, for which all electors in Durham Region cast a vote, Leroux said she is not yet certain if that position will be on the ballots. She said the same also applies to the school trustee positions.The Ontario government has not yet made clear whether or not it will appoint the next regional chair and/or take over the running of the school boards.