Ontario Municipal Elections 2026: Oct 26 and How to Vote
Ontario's municipal and school board elections are on Monday, October 26, 2026. Every city, town and township in the province elects its mayor or head of council, its councillors and its school board trustees on the same day. Each municipality runs its own vote, so hours and methods differ, and some offer online, phone or mail voting. In Toronto, voting places are open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (City of Toronto).
Who can vote
According to the province's 2026 voters' guide, you can vote for municipal council if you are a Canadian citizen, 18 or older, and you qualify in that municipality in one of three ways:
- Resident: you live there, whether you own, rent, live in shared housing or have no fixed address.
- Non-resident: you own or rent property there but live somewhere else, for example a cottage.
- Spouse of a non-resident elector.
If you qualify in more than one municipality, you can vote in each. Students living away from home can vote both where they study and in their home municipality.
Toronto: the mayor's race and how to vote
- Voting day: Monday, October 26, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Advance voting ran from October 6 to 11. Check where to vote and whether you're on the voters list with the City's MyVote tool.
- The mayor's race: incumbent Olivia Chow, who won the 2023 by-election after John Tory resigned, is seeking her first full term. Her main challenger is Ward 19 councillor Brad Bradford. Former MP Chris Alexander dropped out on October 6 but stays on the ballot, because the withdrawal deadline was August 21 (Wikipedia).
| Poll, dates | Chow | Bradford |
|---|---|---|
| Mainstreet, Oct 6–7 | 47% | 44% |
| Scope Research, Oct 6 | 51% | 47% |
| Forum Research, Oct 6 | 46% | 42% |
Polls are snapshots, not predictions. Figures from the polling table on the Wikipedia page, which links each poll. Toronto elects its mayor by simple plurality.
Other big races
- Ottawa: Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, first elected in 2022, is running again. Fourteen candidates registered, including Kitchissippi councillor Jeff Leiper and homebuilder Alex Lawson (Wikipedia).
- Mississauga, Brampton, Hamilton, London and others: every municipality elects on the same day. Wikipedia's overview of the 2026 Ontario municipal elections lists each one with its incumbent mayor.
Before you go
- Find your municipality's election page and check whether it votes in person, online, by phone or by mail, and the hours.
- Check you're on the voters list. Most cities have an online tool, such as Toronto's MyVote. You can usually be added at the voting place with ID.
- Bring ID showing your name and address. The voters' guide lists acceptable documents.
- Know your ward. Councillor and trustee races are by ward, so your ballot depends on your address.
Quick answers
When is the Ontario municipal election?
Monday, October 26, 2026. It's held every four years on the fourth Monday of October.
What time do polls close in Toronto?
8 p.m. on October 26. Polls open at 10 a.m.
Can permanent residents vote in Ontario municipal elections?
No. You must be a Canadian citizen.
Can I vote if I own a cottage in another municipality?
Yes. Owners or renters of property in a municipality where they don't live can vote there as non-resident electors, as well as where they live.
Is it the same day as the B.C. elections?
No. British Columbia's municipal elections are on October 17 and its provincial election on October 24.
