Municipal election day is Monday, Oct. 26

Voting continues online, and in-person on Election Day Monday, Oct. 26, from 10am – 8pm

If you are on the voters list, you will have received a voting card in the mail with a personalized PIN, which will allow you to vote in person, or online.

If you have not registered, or did not receive a voting card, you can still vote in person. You must present one piece of ID showing both your name and home address to vote.

In the 2022 election, 11,262 of 23,935 eligible electors – or 47.05 per cent of the total electorate – cast their ballots. There were 3,531 people who voted in person on election day, while 827 people voted in-person on advanced voting day. Most – 6,904 people – voted by internet.

The voter turnout of 47.05 in Prince Edward County was above the provincial average of 34 per cent, and higher than neighbouring municipalities.

For this election, council passed a bylaw to add the following question to the 2026 municipal election ballot:

“Are you in favour of a third-party review of council size and related ward boundaries?”

Answer options: “Yes” or “No” only.

For the results of the question to be legally binding on the municipality:
– At least 50 per cent of the eligible electors in the municipality vote on the question, and
– More than 50 per cent of the voters are in favour.

Should this occur, the estimated costs of a third-party review would be between $75,000 and $100,000 depending on the scope of the work. Any changes would be in effect for the 2031 municipal election.

The new council term runs four years starting in December and this council will see new salaries with the mayor at $96,550 and councillors at $40,422.

Six of 13 current councillors are running for re-election to council. Another three – John Hirsch, Corey Englesdorfer and Chris Braney – are acclaimed to represent South Marysburgh, Wellington and Hillier.

Mayor Steve Ferguson did not seek re-election, but three people with prior council experience are vying for the position: Ernie Margetson, Brad Nieman and Terry Shortt.

Candidates ward-by-ward:
Ward 1 Picton (Two seats): Four candidates – Incumbents Phil St. Jean and Kate MacNaughton with newcomers Emery Niles and Jane Lesslie.

Ward 2 Bloomfield/Hallowell (Two seats): Eight candidates, all newcomers, including Kyle Mayne, Victor Lind, Erynn Ahern, Mark Hopper, Geoff Heinricks, Mark Henry, Joanne Fralick and Kane Rutgers.

Ward 3 Wellington (1 seat): Incumbent Corey Engelsdorfer.

Ward 4 Ameliasburgh (Three seats): Six candidates — Incumbents Janice Maynard and Sam Grosso, previous councillors Andreas Bolik, Paul Boyd and Dianne O’Brien and one newcomer, Doug Villeneuve.

Ward 5 Athol (One seat): Four candidates, all newcomers, Emily Jane Pickstock, Haley Woods, Tyler Langmuir and Anna Zak.

Ward 6 Sophiasburgh (One seat): Two candidates – Incumbent Bill Roberts and newcomers Les Chapman, Megan Hutton and Rachel Prinzen.

Ward 7 Hillier (One seat): Incumbent Chris Braney.

Ward 8 North Marysburgh (One seat): Three candidates, newcomers Tracey Stevens, Siobhan Harrison and Ken Morton.

Ward 9 South Marysburgh (1 seat): Incumbent John Hirsch.

English Public School Hastings and Prince Edward School Board Wards 1, 2, 5, 8 and 9: (One seat) Two candidates – Peter Wheeler and Codie Goodman.

English Public School Hastings and Prince Edward School Board wards 3, 4, 6 and 7: (One seat) Former trustee Jennifer Cobb.

English Separate School Algonquin & Lakeshore Catholic District School Board (Nominations received by Loyalist Township) (One seat) Incumbent Jacqueline Fernandes.