A record number of candidates have put their names forward to run in the upcoming municipal election in Chatham-Kent.
The municipality finalized its list of individuals in contention for one of 14 seats on council and the mayor’s position on Friday, with the total number of candidates sitting at 86.
Seven of those candidates are running for the mayor’s position, including incumbent Mayor Darrin Canniff, current councillors Michael Bondy and Lauren Anderson, and former mayor Randy Hope. The other three mayoral candidates are Nelson Burm, April Colby, and Ryan Gow.
Another 18 people are in the running for school board trustee with one of the three local school boards, six of whom are running uncontested and will be acclaimed.
A full list of candidates running in Chatham-Kent’s eight wards can be found by clicking here.
“We cannot remove or add anyone’s name from [this] point going forward, and administration will be working with our contractors in order to get the ballots prepared and getting internet voting ready to go,” said Judy Shantz, CK’s director of municipal governance and clerk. “We’ll also be having a candidate-only information night where we will be sharing some more information just about the upcoming election just to make sure they are aware of all of the different things that are happening.”
This year marks the highest number of candidates running for elected office in Chatham-Kent in nearly 20 years. The next highest was 53 candidates during the 2014 municipal election. A total of 43 candidates ran in the 2022 election, 51 in 2018, and 50 in 2010.
“We have more candidates than we ever had in those elections that I’ve previously done,” said Shantz. “I’m very happy people are engaged in municipal politics, and they’re interested and have put their name forward to run in the race.”
Candidates will be able to place their election signs on municipal property beginning on Thursday. They must be taken down by October 31, following the election.
For Chatham-Kent residents who want to cast their ballot early, internet voting will be offered from 10 a.m. on October 8 until 4 p.m. on October 16. Advance polling stations will also be open on October 15, 16, and 17.
Election Day is on October 26 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
For more information on the election in Chatham-Kent, click here.
