Elections

Check to see if you are on the Voters' List by using this LINK.

If you are not on the Voter's list, you will need to fill out the EL15 Form and attend the Municipal Office, during regular business hours, to be added anytime. If you are unable to make it to the Municipal Office during regular business hours, you can also bring your form with you when you go to vote at any of the advance voting days, including Election Day on Monday, October 26. Please note, that you are required to bring qualifying identification with you.

See official NOTICE OF THE VOTERS LIST.

The Corporation of the Municipality of Bayham is committed to providing quality goods and services that are accessible and inclusive to all persons that it serves.  In order to meet the needs of persons with disabilities the Municipality of Bayham will:

1. Ensure policies, practices and procedures address dignity, independence, integration, inclusiveness and provide for equal opportunity for persons with disabilities;
2. Allow persons with disabilities to use their own personal assistive devices to obtain, use or benefit from the services offered by the Municipality;
3. Strive to meet the needs of persons with disabilities in a timely manner, at a cost no greater than that for persons without disabilities;
4. Accommodate the accessibility needs of persons with disabilities to ensure they can obtain, use or benefit from the Municipality’s goods, services, programs and facilities.

View the 2026 Election Accessibility Plan for further information. 

Pursuant to the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, as amended, all candidates and registered third party advertisers must file their financial statements and auditor’s reports (if required) by a prescribed date. 

All financial statements are public documents. Please contact the Clerk if you would like a copy of a Candidate’s financial statement.

2022 MUNICIPAL ELECTION

2018 MUNICIPAL ELECTION

2014 MUNICIPAL ELECTION

As A Voter

You can vote if you are:

• A Canadian citizen
• At least 18 years old on election day
• Living in Bayham, own or rent property in Bayham, or are the spouse of an owner or tenant in Bayham
• Not legally prohibited from voting

As A Candidate

If you care about your community and want to make a difference, you can run for office. To be a candidate, you must be:

• A Canadian citizen
• At least 18 years old
• Living in Bayham, own or rent property in Bayham, or are the spouse of an owner or tenant in Bayham
• Not legally prohibited from voting
• Not disqualified by any legislation from holding municipal office

A candidate may change the position they are running for up until the nomination deadline.
Unofficial list of candidates, updated August 20, 2026 at 1:30 pm.

MAYOR

• Ed Ketchabaw - 519-619-8432
  edandsheri@amtelecom.net
  
  
• Hank Peters - 519-200-5245
  hankp1121@yahoo.com 
  
  
• Ken Kokko - 226-580-9700 
  kkoklin@hotmail.com

• Barry Wade - 519-521-6860
  Barry4Bayham@icloud.com

DEPUTY MAYOR

• Timothy Dale Emerson  - 519-983-2257
  timothy.d.emerson@hotmail.com 
  
  
• Gatlin Sandhu - 226-927-6231 
  GatlinSandhu@gmail.com 
   
• George Rousseau - 519-983-7089
  garousseau13@gmail.com 

COUNCILLOR WARD 1

• Tami Emerson - 519-521-3743
  tami.emerson0307@gmail.com    
  
  
• Lindsay Walsh - 226-973-3303
  lindsay5@hotmail.com   
  
  
• C. Valerie Donnell - 519-550-0088 (Withdrawn)
  c.valeriedonnell@gmail.com   

COUNCILLOR WARD 2

• Dan Froese - 519-550-3175
  dan@Froveg.ca 

COUNCILLOR WARD 3

• Susan Chilcott - 519-866-5713
  radium2018@hotmail.com  
  
  
• Todd Dorey - 519-577-5699
  ToddDoreyForBayham@gmail.com

* Staff will attempt to keep this list updated. The minimum service level expectation is that this list will be updated on Friday's.*

School Board Nominations
School board nominations are overseen by various designated municipalities. For the most up to date information please visit the following websites:

English Public -  Thames Valley District School Board
https://www.stthomas.ca/city_hall/city_clerk/election

English Separate - London District Catholic School Board
https://www.stthomas.ca/city_hall/city_clerk/election

French Public - Conseil Scolaire Viamonde
https://www.sarnia.ca/city-government/elections/2026-election/unofficial-list-of-candidates/

French Separate - Conseil scolaire Catholique Providence
https://www.cityofwoodstock.ca/your-government/elections/list-of-uncertified-candidates/

Nomination Forms are to be completed by a person wishing to be a candidate in a municipal election. The forms below must be filed with the clerk of the municipality responsible for conducting the election, along with the prescribed fee.

Nomination Paper – Form 1

Endorsement of Nomination – Form 2

Nominations for 2026 Municipal Council and District School Boards

Notice to Publishers & Broadcasters Regarding Third Party Advertising

MUNICIPAL COUNCIL CANDIDATES

View the Official List of Certified Candidates

View the Declaration of Acclamation to Office

SCHOOL BOARD TRUSTEE CANDIDATES

School Board Trustee elections include electors from multiple municipalities. For the most up-to-date certified candidate information, please visit the website of the municipality responsible for administering the applicable school board election.

English Public - Thames Valley District School Board Trustee

Two candidates were certified for the two available English Public School Board Trustee positions representing Elgin County. As the number of certified candidates does not exceed the number of positions to be elected, both candidates have been acclaimed and will not appear on the ballot.

• Melissa Knott 
• Bob Pate

View the Declaration of Acclamation to Office

Visit the City of St. Thomas Election Website for more information. 

English Separate - London District Catholic School Board Trustee

• Stephen Huver
• Mary Intven Wallace

View the Certified Candidates List

Visit the City of St. Thomas Election Website for more information. 

French Public -  Conseil Scolaire Viamonde

One candidate was certified for the one available French Public - Conseil Scolaire Viamonde Board Trustee position. As the number of certified candidates does not exceed the number of positions to be elected, the candidate was acclaimed and will not appear on the ballot.

• David Paradis

View the Declaration of Acclamation to Office

Visit the City of Sarnia Election Website for more information

French Separate - Conseil Scolaire Catholique Providence

One candidate was certified for the one available French Separate - Conseil Scolaire Catholique Providence Board Trustee position. As the number of certified candidates does not exceed the number of positions to be elected, the candidate was acclaimed and will not appear on the ballot.

• Joseph-Guy Bourbeau

View the Declaration of Acclamation to Office

Visit the City of Woodstock Election Website for more information.

*Note: the following may be summarized Questions or Answers.*

1.    Q: What is the maximum someone can contribute to my campaign?
A: $1200

2.    Q: Can we campaign in public parks?
A: The overlying prohibition on use of public parks has been removed. Despite the overlying blanket rule being removed, the use of the public parks is still subject to the regular rules and restrictions set out in the various elections and sign by-laws put in place by the Municipality and/or put in place by the Provincial or Federal Governments.

3.    Q: Can the owner of a business, vote on behalf of a business’s property or rental agreement?
A: No, ownership of a business does not entitle a person to vote on behalf of the businesses property or rental agreement. The land or rental agreement must be in you or your spouse’s name.
The following is a direct excerpt from the provincially issued voters’ guide:
“Neither you nor your spouse qualify as a non-resident elector if you do not personally own or rent the property in the municipality. For example, if the property is owned by your business or your cottage is owned by a trust, you would not qualify as a non-resident elector.”

4.    Q: May we inspect other candidates’ nomination packages?
A: Yes, inspection of nomination packages may be done with the Clerk present.

5.    Q: Are trailer renters allowed to vote?
A: If you own a trailer in a campground, you may qualify to vote if you are entitled to use the land:
          - On voting day (October 26, 2026)
     OR
          - For a period of 6 weeks or more during the year of the election.  

The Municipality of Bayham has 3 Wards. View the Ward Map to see the boundaries. 

Municipal elections are about helping shape the future of your community. The people you vote for work together to make decisions on local issues and share your voice at the Council table.

Council and other offices will be elected to a term beginning in November 2026 and ending in November 2030.

By voting, you're choosing representatives who will listen to your concerns, set priorities for the Municipality, and make sure Bayham continues to be a safe, welcoming, and growing place to live.

Your vote is one of the most direct ways to take part in local democracy and to help build a better Bayham for everyone.