You must fill out the Nomination Paper – Form 1 and file it with the municipal clerk at Port Hope town hall. The clerk may require you to show identification or fill in an additional form to prove that you are eligible. Please see Where to Find Forms for links to forms.
You should write down your name as you want it to appear on the ballot. If you normally go by a different name than your legal first name, you may use that name provided the clerk agrees.
Example: Your name is Mary Louise Thelma Smith.
if you normally go by Mary Smith, print Smith, Mary on the nomination form
if you normally go by Louise Smith, and the clerk agrees, print Smith, Louise on the nomination form
if you normally go by Mary Louise, and the clerk agrees, print Smith, Mary Louise on the form
NOTE: You do not have to provide all of your names under Given Name(s) on the form. Only provide the one(s) that you want to appear on the ballot.
The nomination form must have original signatures. It may not be faxed, mailed or emailed. You must file the nomination form in person at Port Hope town hall, or have an agent file it on your behalf. If an agent is going to file the form on your behalf you should check with the clerk to see if you are required to provide identification or additional paperwork.
The fee to file a nomination is $200 to run for head of council, and $100 for all other positions. This fee must be paid to the clerk at the time you hand in your nomination form.
You can file your nomination to be a candidate in the municipal election for the Municipality of Port Hope from the first day of January 2014 that municipal offices are open until 2 p.m. on nomination day (Friday, September 12, 2014).
The clerk has until 4 p.m. on Monday, September 15, 2014 to certify or reject your nomination. The clerk must be satisfied that you are eligible to run in Port Hope in order to certify your nomination. If your nomination is not certified, your name will not appear on the ballot.
Your nomination filing fee will be refunded to you if you withdraw your nomination, if you are elected, or if you receive more than 2 per cent of the votes cast for the office. The fee will not be refunded if your nomination is not certified.
What Happens if You Change Your Mind?
Sure it seemed like a great idea after a night of prodding from friends at the Beamish House or Winchester Arms, but gosh people can change their mind in the light of day, can’t they?
Here’s how: If you decide to withdraw your nomination, you must notify the clerk at Port Hope town hall in writing by the close of nominations (2 p.m. September 12, 2014).
If you withdraw your nomination, you are entitled to have your nomination fee refunded by the clerk.
If you withdraw your nomination, you are still required to file a campaign financial statement covering all the financial transactions you made in your campaign. You must file a financial statement even if the only financial transaction you made was paying the nomination fee.
But before you withdraw your nomination, can’t you still be persuaded to run? Good election candidates are always needed in every election.