Three London incumbents among the first to file nomination papers

In 2018, there was a line-up to file nomination papers to serve on London City Council.

The 2022 election is off to a slower start.

As of early Monday afternoon – the first day candidates can file their papers – only three people had officially notified the city’s elections office that they’ll be on the ballot to be ward councillors. All are incumbents.

“What else could I wish for but to be re-elected?” joked Ward 12 councillor Elizabeth Peloza, who was also celebrating a birthday on Monday. “I think it’s important to register off the bat to let residents know who is interested in serving them to give them ample time, at their leisure since the election is not until October, to look into (candidates) and start following them and actually looking at what these residents are invested in who want to represent you.”

Peloza was first elected in 2018 following the retirement of longtime councillor Harold Usher.

Ward 2 councillor Shawn Lewis and Ward 13 councillor John Fyfe-Millar were the other two candidates who filed their papers on Monday morning.

Lewis defeated incumbent Bill Armstrong in the 2018 election.

Fyfe-Millar was appointed to the downtown Ward 13 seat in October, after Arielle Kayabaga was elected as the federal MP in London West.

One more.

Here's Ward 13 councillor @fyfemillar filing his papers to run for re-election.#ldnont pic.twitter.com/DS7SlC1t0z

— Craig Needles (@NeedlesOnNews) May 2, 2022

London’s next municipal election is on October 24, however, it may get off to a slow start due to the provincial election coming in June.

“I want to give some space for the provincial candidates to have their opportunity at the doors to knock,” said Peloza. “Not to create more voter confusion.”

There will be a change to the election process in 2022. There will not be ranked ballots.

“That preparation has been under way for about a year now. We’re switching all of our communication materials, all our materials at the poll,” said Deputy City Clerk Sarah Corman on Monday. “It’s been an undertaking but we’re getting there.”

“You just go with the flow and make sure the election runs smoothly,” she added.

Sean O’Connell, who finished sixth in the race for mayor in 2018, also filed papers on Monday morning.

There’s been no word yet on whether Mayor Ed Holder is going to run to retain the office.

Two councillors, Mohamed Salih and Jesse Helmer, have announced they won’t be seeking re-election.

The nomination deadline is August 19th.