Information for Voters
The 2026 Election Guides, published by the Government of Ontario provides information to voters about the rules contained in the Municipal Elections Act and other legislation and regulations.
Am I Eligible to Vote?
If you meet all of the following conditions, you are eligible to vote in French River:
- a Canadian citizen
- at least 18 years old at the time of election
- a resident in the Municipality of French River
- a non-resident of French River and you or your spouse own or rent property in the city
- not otherwise prohibited under the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 or by law
You can only vote once in the French River municipal election regardless of how many properties you own or rent within the municipality. If you own multiple properties, you must vote in the Ward that you reside in.
Are you on the Voters List?
Voters are encouraged to check their information on the voters’ list as soon as possible to ensure that any changes are reflected on your Voter Information Letter. All eligible voters will receive a Voter Information Letter (VIL) the first week of October. The letter will include instructions regarding the process for voting during the 2026 electronic voting period.
On or before August 12, 2026
New for 2026, Elections Ontario is providing the voters' list for municipalities. Your name must be on the Voters’ List in order for you to cast a ballot and it is your responsibility to ensure your name appears on the list. Click on the following button to check if you are on the list, update or correct your information, add yourself to the list or remove yourself from the list.
After August 12
To confirm and/or update your information on the voters list, please contact the Municipal Office at 705-898-2294 or clerk@frenchriver.ca.
If you need to amend your information or add your name to the Voters’ List, persons must fill out Form EL15 - Application to Amend Voters’ List (listed below) and submit it at the Municipal Office in person, by mail or email. Persons might be asked to provide ID. Revisions may be done until the close of Vote at 8pm on Voting day.
School Support
Property owners in Ontario are required to support a school board, even if they do not have children, or their children are not currently attending school. In the case of a residential property occupied by tenants, the tenants can direct the school support for that property. It is your responsibility to ensure your school support information is correct on your tax bill and on the voters' list.
While Elections Ontario maintains the Permanent Register of Electors in Ontario for provincial, municipal, and school board elections, MPAC (Municipal Property Assessment Corporation) is legislatively responsible for collecting school support designation information.
Learn more or update a school support designation, visit mpac.ca/schoolsupport.
How to Cast your Votes
Voting for the 2026 Municipal and School Board Elections will be by internet and telephone. This allows the Municipality to offer voters an extended voting period and the flexibility to participate in the election process at their convenience, without the need to attend a physical polling location. Voting online or by telephone is a fast, convenient, and secure way to vote, which has been previously used successfully by many municipalities.
Eligible voters will receive a Voter Information Letter by mail. This sealed envelope will contain a Personal Identification Number (PIN) and a telephone access number, a secure Internet address for voting and instructions on how to cast your vote.
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