Information for Candidates

All nominations must be filed in person, either by the candidate or by an authorized agent. If you intend to appoint an agent to file your nomination, please let the Elections Team know when scheduling the nomination appointment.

To file nominations for a candidate, agents will be required to bring the following:

• Completed Appointment of an Agent to File a Nomination form with the candidate's original "wet" signature - electronic signatures or photocopies will not be accepted
• Nomination Paper - Form 1 - must include an original "wet" signature that matches the candidate's identification
• Endorsement of Nomination - Form 2 (it is recommended to get more than the minimum required number of endorsements in case any endorsements are incomplete, illegible, or otherwise cannot be accepted) (Note: this file is not compatible with most web browsers and should be downloaded and opened with Adobe Acrobat)
• The candidate's Declaration of Qualifications with original "wet" signatures of both the candidate and witnessing official
  • Council Candidates Declaration of Qualifications
  • School Board Candidates Declaration of Qualifications
• The candidate's original photo identification, showing the candidate's name, signature, and qualifying address as shown on the Nomination Paper
• Nomination filing fee ($200 for candidates for the office of Mayor, $100 for all others) payable by debit, credit, cash, certified cheque or money order to the City of Richmond Hill 
  
• The agent's original photo identification showing their name, address, and signature as it appears on the appointment form

In order to register as a candidate for, be elected to, and hold the office of Mayor, Regional and Local Councillor, or Ward Councillor, candidates must meet the following qualifications of electors, as set out in the Municipal Elections Act, 1996:

• a Canadian citizen;
• at least 18 years old on or before Voting Day (October 24, 2022);
• a resident of the City of Richmond Hill, an owner or tenant of land in the City of Richmond Hill, or the spouse of an owner or tenant of land in Richmond Hill;
• and not prohibited from voting under any law.

The following people are disqualified from being elected to Council:

• Any employee of the City of Richmond Hill or the Public Library Board, except for those on an unpaid leave of absence
• A member of the Provincial Legislature, the Federal House of Commons or Senate who has not resigned from their office by the close of nominations
• A judge of any court
• A candidate who received a notice of default with respect to any 2018 Municipal Election or any municipal by-election that occurred since the 2018 Municipal Election
• A candidate who is ineligible under the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 or any other Act or otherwise prohibited by law to be nominated for or to hold the office. 

Pursuant to Section 219 (1) and (2) of the Education Act, school board trustees must meet the following qualification:

• A person is qualified to be elected as a member of a district school board or school authority if the person is qualified to vote for members of that district school board or that school authority and is resident in its area of jurisdiction.
• A person who is qualified under subsection (1) to be elected as a member of a district school board or school authority is qualified to be elected as a member of that district school board or school authority for any geographic area in the district school board's or school authority's area of jurisdiction, regardless of which positions on that district school board or school authority the person may be qualified to vote for.
• A member of a district school board or school authority is eligible for re-election if otherwise qualified.

Canadian citizens aged 18 or older on or before Voting Day, who reside in the respective school board area of jurisdiction, and who are not prohibited from voting under any law on the day their nomination forms are filed are eligible to run for office.