It was a busy first day on Friday across the municipality, as candidates entered races in multiple wards and for school board positions as the nomination period for the 2026 municipal election officially opened.
In Wallaceburg, Brendan Authier filed his nomination papers and will be seeking one of two seats on council representing Ward 5
In South West Kent, Andréa Palmer filed nomination papers.
In South East Kent, Matthew Giffin, Matt Lamarche and Brad Snobelen entered the race.
In North East Kent, Cory Couture and Emery Huszka filed their nominations.
In North West Chatham, Alysson Storey filed nomination papers.
In North East Chatham, Steve Kenney entered the race.
Anna Cairns filed for the English public trustee position with the Lambton-Kent District School Board representing Wards 4 and 5.
Two candidates entered the mayoral race on the opening day, with Chatham Coun. Michael Bondy and West Kent Coun. Lauren Anderson filing their nominations.
The Municipality of Chatham-Kent said the nomination period opened May 1 and will run until Aug. 21, 2026, at 2 p.m.
Nomination forms must be submitted to the municipal clerk by appointment and require the candidate’s signature along with 25 endorsement signatures from eligible voters.
There is a $200 filing fee for mayoral candidates and $100 for councillor or school board trustee positions. The municipality said fees can be paid by cash, debit, certified cheque or money order and are refundable if the required financial report is submitted after the election.
Nomination forms are available online or at the Civic Centre in Chatham and municipal centres across Chatham-Kent. The municipality said its candidates page will be updated daily with a list of certified candidates and the offices they are seeking.
Residents were also reminded that candidates cannot raise or spend campaign funds until their nomination has been officially filed.
Third-party advertisers can register beginning May 1 and have until Oct. 23, 2026, to do so. The municipality defines a third-party advertisement as any material that supports, promotes or opposes a candidate or a “yes” or “no” response to a ballot question, produced by a person or entity that is not a candidate.
For more information or to book an appointment, residents can contact the municipal clerk’s office at 519-360-1998 or email ckelection@chatham-kent.ca.
