The deadline for individuals interested in running for mayor, councillor, or school board trustee in the upcoming municipal election in Ontario is fast approaching. Candidates have until 2 p.m. ET on August 21 to formally declare their candidacy for the October 26 election.
In Hamilton, it appears that Ward 5 and more than half of the school board trustee positions will be uncontested unless new candidates emerge within the next four days. Ward 5 stands out as the sole ward with just one candidate registered, the incumbent Coun. Matt Francis, who first won the seat in 2022.
Within the public and Catholic school boards, over half of the positions have only one candidate vying for the role. Specifically, in the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB), wards 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 14, and 15 have sole candidates, with several being current trustees. Similarly, at the Catholic board, five out of nine seats have only one candidate running, with wards 1, 2, and 15 having their current trustees acclaimed in 2022. Additional wards with single candidates include 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11, and 14.
For a list of registered candidates in Hamilton, you can refer to CBC Hamilton’s coverage. August 21 also marks the final day for candidates to withdraw their candidacy. Some candidates have already opted to withdraw, such as current Ward 10 Coun. Jeff Beattie, who decided to run for the Progressive Conservatives in the Hamilton East—Stoney Creek provincial byelection on September 3.
To learn more about the byelection candidates’ perspectives on Hamilton’s environmental issues, you can explore CBC’s coverage on the topic. Additionally, if you are interested in early voting details for the Hamilton East-Stoney Creek provincial byelection, CBC has provided a guide for voters.