Eligible voters can vote online, at an advance voting location or in person on Voting Day in the 2026 Municipal Election. To help prepare, voters should review key voting dates, understand their voting options and watch for their Voter Information Letter (VIL) in early October.
If a voter is added to the Voters' List after Sept. 15, 2026, they can still obtain a VIL by email or from the Elections Office. A VIL is not required to vote in person.
You may vote if you are a Canadian citizen, 18 or older, and live in Kingston, or own or rent property in the city. Post-secondary students can vote in Kingston and their home community.
In-person voting
For in-person voting, you must vote at a specific location in your district. This information will be included in the VIL and can be verified at CityofKingston.ca/Election.
Voting Day is Monday, Oct. 26, 2026. Voting locations will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Advance voting will take place on Oct. 16 and 17, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Online voting
Online voting will be available from Oct. 14 at 10 a.m. until Oct. 26 at 8 p.m. The VIL contains your voter registration number and steps to complete the online voting process, including the website address. Online voting is secure and confidential and uses two-factor authentication, secure Canadian servers and recognized online voting standards.
Accessibility and transportation
Accessible voting equipment will be available at all advance voting and Voting Day voting locations. Additional supports include assistance from a friend, election staff or curbside voting.
Kingston Transit and Kingston Access Bus will provide free transportation for voters on Advance Voting Days and Voting Day. If you take Kingston Transit, show your VIL on your way to and from your voting place.
2026 Election sticker contest
After receiving over 60 design submissions and more than 500 votes from community members of all ages, the Sticker Contest is now closed.
Note: The City of Kingston is responsible for administering municipal elections in accordance with the Municipal Elections Act, 1996. Links to candidate websites direct users to external sites that are not operated, controlled or endorsed by the City. The City is not responsible for the content of external candidate websites or other candidate-provided information.
What a Mayor Does
The Mayor is the head of the municipality and its chief executive officer, providing leadership and helping guide the City’s direction. They chair Council Meetings and act as the City’s main public representative.
In some municipalities, including Kingston, the Mayor also has additional special powers popularly known as “Strong Mayor” powers.
The Mayor's responsibilities include:
Chair Council meetings and guide discussions
Set priorities and help shape the City’s direction
Work with Councillors and staff to move initiatives forward
Represent the City publicly, to the media and with other governments
Participate in and foster activities that enhance the well-being of the municipality
Present an annual budget per “Strong Mayor” powers
What Council Does
Council is made up of elected Councillors who make decisions on behalf of residents and guide the municipality's operations. They are responsible for approving policies, bylaws, services and spending.
A Councillor's responsibilities include:
Attend Council and committee meetings and vote on decisions
Serve on committees, boards and community groups
Review reports, budgets and proposals
Maintain the financial integrity of the City
Ensure the accountability and transparency of City operations
Speak with residents and bring forward community concerns
Balance local needs with city-wide priorities
Online voting and voter information
Eligible voters can vote online, at an advance voting location or in person on Voting Day in the 2026 Municipal Election. To help prepare, voters should review key voting dates, understand their voting options and watch for their Voter Information Letter (VIL) in early October.
If a voter is added to the Voters' List after Sept. 15, 2026, they can still obtain a VIL by email or from the Elections Office. A VIL is not required to vote in person.
You may vote if you are a Canadian citizen, 18 or older, and live in Kingston, or own or rent property in the city. Post-secondary students can vote in Kingston and their home community.
In-person voting
For in-person voting, you must vote at a specific location in your district. This information will be included in the VIL and can be verified at CityofKingston.ca/Election.
Voting Day is Monday, Oct. 26, 2026. Voting locations will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Advance voting will take place on Oct. 16 and 17, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Online voting
Online voting will be available from Oct. 14 at 10 a.m. until Oct. 26 at 8 p.m. The VIL contains your voter registration number and steps to complete the online voting process, including the website address. Online voting is secure and confidential and uses two-factor authentication, secure Canadian servers and recognized online voting standards.
Accessibility and transportation
Accessible voting equipment will be available at all advance voting and Voting Day voting locations. Additional supports include assistance from a friend, election staff or curbside voting.
Kingston Transit and Kingston Access Bus will provide free transportation for voters on Advance Voting Days and Voting Day. If you take Kingston Transit, show your VIL on your way to and from your voting place.
2026 Election sticker contest
After receiving over 60 design submissions and more than 500 votes from community members of all ages, the Sticker Contest is now closed.
Note: The City of Kingston is responsible for administering municipal elections in accordance with the Municipal Elections Act, 1996. Links to candidate websites direct users to external sites that are not operated, controlled or endorsed by the City. The City is not responsible for the content of external candidate websites or other candidate-provided information.
What a Mayor Does
The Mayor is the head of the municipality and its chief executive officer, providing leadership and helping guide the City’s direction. They chair Council Meetings and act as the City’s main public representative.
In some municipalities, including Kingston, the Mayor also has additional special powers popularly known as “Strong Mayor” powers.
The Mayor's responsibilities include:
Chair Council meetings and guide discussions
Set priorities and help shape the City’s direction
Work with Councillors and staff to move initiatives forward
Represent the City publicly, to the media and with other governments
Participate in and foster activities that enhance the well-being of the municipality
Present an annual budget per “Strong Mayor” powers
What Council Does
Council is made up of elected Councillors who make decisions on behalf of residents and guide the municipality's operations. They are responsible for approving policies, bylaws, services and spending.
A Councillor's responsibilities include:
Attend Council and committee meetings and vote on decisions
Serve on committees, boards and community groups
Review reports, budgets and proposals
Maintain the financial integrity of the City
Ensure the accountability and transparency of City operations
Speak with residents and bring forward community concerns
The finalists are in, and now it's time to choose your favourite! Review the shortlist of voter and future voter sticker design and pick your favourite. The winning designs will be printed and distributed at voting locations during the election. Winners will also receive a sheet of their stickers as a keepsake.
Please note: we will accept only one vote per sticker category per person. Voting closes August 17 at 4 p.m. If you'd prefer to submit your vote another way, review finalists here, and email GetInvolvedKingston@CityofKingston.ca or call 613-546-0000.
