Election Day is right around the corner and every vote counts!
Across the East Kawarthas, candidates in the municipal election have been campaigning for resident’s votes for several months now.
Many all-candidates meetings have been hosted to inform residents on each candidate and their views on important municipal issues, concerns, events, and more.
Election Day is October 26, 2026.
The Lakefield Herald has published profiles on each candidate in Douro Dummer, North Kawartha, Selwyn, and Trent Lakes throughout the election period.
Here are some details for the last minute voters!
Douro Dummer
In Douro Dummer, there are a total of 16 candidates running in the municipal elections.
During the voting period (which starts on October 13), residents will be able to cast their vote using internet and telephone voting system and on Election Day there will also be paper ballots to be counted by tabulator.
There were three all-candidates meeting hosted in Douro Dummer. The Oct 8, 2026 candidates meeting can be viewed on the Lakefield Herald Facebook Page.
Candidates include:
Mayor:
• Heather Watson (incumbent)
• J. Murray Jones
• Peter Leahy
Deputy Mayor
• Harold Nelson (incumbent)
• Samantha Turner
Councillor at Large
• Tom Watt (incumbent)
• David France
• Marilyn Turton
• April Hope
Councillor Douro Ward
• Ray Johnston (incumbent)
• Rob Lyall
• Sandra Vaughan
Councillor Dummer Ward
• Jane Cooper
• Nadine Ellis-Maffei
• Regan James
• Terry Little
nORTH Kawartha
In North Kawartha there are eight candidates running and residents and property owners will be able to cast their votes electronically or by phone for the 2026 Election.
There was one all candidates meeting hosted in North Kawartha earlier this month at the North Kawartha Community Centre.
Candidates include:
Mayor
• Carolyn Amyotte (incumbent – Acclaimed)
Deputy Mayor
• Colin McLellan
• Ruth Anne McIlmoyl
Councillor at Large
• Guy Sprung
• Joe McCauley
Councillor Ward 1 (previously Chandos)
• John Lovatsis
• Bruce Paterson
Councillor Ward 2 (previouse Burleigh Anstruther)
• Jim Whelan (acclaimed)
Trent Lakes
In Trent Lakes there are nine candidates running in the 2026 municipal election
Trent Lakes will be using internet and telephone voting systems starting on October 13 that will be live 24/7 until the close of voting on Voting Day (October 26). They will also have paper ballots with vote tabulators on Friday, October 23, Saturday, October 24, Sunday October 25 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Voting Day on October 26 from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
There were two all-candidates meetings hosted in Trent Lakes.
Candidates include
:Mayor
• Terry Lambshead (incumbent, acclaimed)
Deputy Mayor
• John Braybrook (acclaimed)
Councillor at Large
• Carol Armstrong
• Janet Clarkson
Councillor Harvey Ward
• Laurie Riley
• Peter Franzen (incumbent)
Councillor Galway-Cavendish Ward
• Carolin McGee
• Ira Peters
• Joe Cadigan (incumbent)
Selwyn
In Selwyn Township, they will also offer internet and telephone voting. Eligible electors will be able to vote from a mobile device, computer, telephone, cell phone, tablet, or laptop.
In Selwyn, eligible voters will receive a personalized voting instruction package well before Election Day (October 26, 2026) with details on how to vote online or by phone.
For the 2026 elections, voting will be open beginning October 13, 2026 until 8:00 PM on October 26, 2026.
Selwyn Township will be offering computers and telephones at the Municipal Office (1310 Centre Line, Selwyn) during the voting period for public use during these timeframes:
• October 13: 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM
• October 12 to 23: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM (weekdays only)
• October 26: 8:30 AM to 8:00 PM
Public computers will also be available at all three Selwyn Public Library branches during regular hours of operation however technical and voting “how-to” support will not be available at these locations.
• Bridgenorth Branch: 836 Charles Street, Bridgenorth
• Ennismore Branch: 551 Ennis Road, Ennismore
• Lakefield Branch: 8 Queen Street, Lakefield. There were no all-candidates meetings hosted in Selwyn Township.
There are seven candidates running in Selwyn Township, including:
Mayor:
• Ron Black (acclaimed)
Deputy Mayor
• John Boyko (acclaimed)
Councillor Ennismore Ward
• Mary Coulas ( acclaimed)
Councillor Smith Ward
• Brian Henry (incumbent)
• Mark Eakins
Councillor Lakefield Ward
• Nadine Robinson
• Sue Amsbury
For more information on your local municipal election, visit your township’s website.
