Election Dictionary

Advance Vote

An opportunity to vote prior to Voting Day (Monday, October 24, 2022). In Windsor, there are five advance voting days scheduled throughout the city of Windsor. For specific dates, locations and times please see the Advance Voting and Proxy Voting pages.

Candidate

A person who has been nominated for an office under section 33 of the Municipal Elections Act 1996.

City Clerk

The City Clerk administers the election. The City Clerk conducts elections for municipal council and local school boards. Some of the key responsibilities of the Clerk throughout the election period include but are not limited to the following:

  • Prepare and administer the City’s elections and by-elections
  • Create policies, procedures, and applicable forms
  • Communicate with voters
  • Oversee candidate financial disclosure

City Councillor

Every four years, eligible electors elect ten City Councillors in Windsor corresponding with the city’s ten wards. In each ward, the elected City Councillor represents and makes decisions on the behalf of the people who live in the ward in which they were elected. All Councillors represent the public and consider the well-being and interests of the municipality. Councillors also determine which services the municipality provides and ensure administrative policies and procedures are in place. They also ensure accountability and transparency of the operations of the municipality and maintain the financial integrity of the municipality. The term of office is four years.

Elector/Voter

A person is eligible to vote in the city of Windsor if, on Voting Day, they are:

  • A Canadian citizen; and
  • At least 18 years old; and
  • A resident in Windsor or is the owner or tenant of land there, or the spouse of such owner or tenant.

Mayor (Head of Council)

The Mayor is the only member of council who is elected by all voters from across the city of Windsor. As the head of City Council, the mayor acts as the chief executive officer of the municipality, presides over council meetings, provides leadership to council, provides information and recommendations to council, and represents the City of Windsor at official functions. The term of office is four years.

Non-Resident

An individual who owns or rents property in the city of Windsor and has their permanent residence outside of the city of Windsor.

Resident

A person who resides in the City of Windsor.

Residence

A person’s residence is the permanent lodging place to which, whenever absent, they intend to return.

School Board

In the city of Windsor, there are two English school boards and two French school boards. For the two English school boards, electors from a specific combination of wards elect a total of six trustees for the public school board and five trustees for the Catholic school board. For the French Catholic school board, three trustees are elected, while voters select only one trustee for the French public school board.

Trustee, Greater Essex County District School Board

  • Elect 2 (two) Wards 1, 2, 9 combined.
  • Elect 2 (two) Wards 3, 4, 10 combined.
  • Elect 2 (two) Wards 5, 6, 7, 8 combined.

Trustee, Windsor Essex Catholic District School Board

  • Elect 1 (one) Wards 1 & 10.
  • Elect 1 (one) Wards 2 & 9.
  • Elect 1 (one) Wards 3 & 4.
  • Elect 1 (one) Wards 5 & 8.
  • Elect 1 (one) Wards 6 & 7.

Trustee, Conseil Scolaire Catholique Providence

  • Elect 1 (one) City of Windsor Ward 1, Town of Tecumseh Wards 4 and 5 and Town of LaSalle combined. Nomination papers to be filed in the town of LaSalle.
  • Elect 1 (one) City of Windsor Wards 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10 combined.
  • Elect 1 (one) City of Windsor Wards 6, 7, 8, 9, Town of Tecumseh Ward 1, 2, and 3 combined. Nomination papers to be filed in the city of Windsor.

Trustee, Conseil Scolaire Viamonde

  • Elect 1 (one) County of Essex (Includes Pelee, Leamington, Kingsville, Amherstburg, LaSalle, Windsor, Tecumseh, Lakeshore, and Town of Essex). Nomination papers to be filed in the city of Windsor

School Board Trustee

Elected for a four year term, school board trustees approve the annual budget and establish policies authorized by the Education Act, 1990. Trustees monitor and carry out policies and programs for the Ministry of Education and the school board. They consult and represent the citizens in their ward(s) for matters relating to their respective school board.

Voting Place (Station)

A voting place is defined as the parcel of land upon which the voting place and/or building is situated, up to and including the curb-side where possible and any parking facilities connected with the voting place.

Voter Notification Card

In September of an election year, a card is mailed to every elector whose name appears on the voters’ list. This card includes information indicating where and when electors can vote on Voting Day or on the advance voting days.