2026 Municipal Election

2026 Municipal Election

Francais ci-dessous

Lead locally – run for municipal office!

On Oct. 26, 2026, Kingston will go to the polls to elect its next Mayor, District Councillors, and School Board Trustees. Municipal elections are held every four years. For those looking to step forward, the nomination period opens May 1.

Running for municipal office offers the opportunity to lead locally – making decisions and representing community priorities. If you’re considering candidacy, we encourage you to start preparing now so you are prepared to file your nomination before 2 p.m. on Aug. 21.

How to run for municipal office

  • Attend an optional information session

  • Review resources and ask questions below

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.

If you run for Mayor, you would be expected to:

  • 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.

If you run for Council, you would be expected to:

  • 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


Candidate information sessions

Feel informed and confident about running for office – attend an information session.

Join us to learn what it means to run for municipal office, what the process involves, key responsibilities and what candidates can expect from nomination through to Voting Day.

Watch the video recording of the April 26 information session here.

Sign up for the next in-person session

  • Tuesday, May 26 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

  • Kingston Frontenac Public Library - Calvin Park Branch (88 Wright Cres.)


Resources

Engagez-vous au niveau local. Présentez-vous aux élections municipales !

Les candidatures sont ouvertes du 1er mai au 21 août 2026. Renseignez-vous sur la façon de vous porter candidat ou candidate à une élection municipale ou scolaire en consultant le Guide 2026 à l’intention des candidats et candidates — élections municipales et scolaires en Ontario.

Séance d'information pour les candidats

  • Mardi 26 mai, 18 h à 19 h 30

  • Bibliothèque publique de Kingston Frontenac – Calvin Park (88, rue Wright)

Veuillez noter que les séances d'information se dérouleront principalement en anglais. Les informations fournies par les conseils scolaires seront disponibles en français.


2026 Municipal Election

Francais ci-dessous

Lead locally – run for municipal office!

On Oct. 26, 2026, Kingston will go to the polls to elect its next Mayor, District Councillors, and School Board Trustees. Municipal elections are held every four years. For those looking to step forward, the nomination period opens May 1.

Running for municipal office offers the opportunity to lead locally – making decisions and representing community priorities. If you’re considering candidacy, we encourage you to start preparing now so you are prepared to file your nomination before 2 p.m. on Aug. 21.

How to run for municipal office

  • Attend an optional information session

  • Review resources and ask questions below

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.

If you run for Mayor, you would be expected to:

  • 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.

If you run for Council, you would be expected to:

  • 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


Candidate information sessions

Feel informed and confident about running for office – attend an information session.

Join us to learn what it means to run for municipal office, what the process involves, key responsibilities and what candidates can expect from nomination through to Voting Day.

Watch the video recording of the April 26 information session here.

Sign up for the next in-person session

  • Tuesday, May 26 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

  • Kingston Frontenac Public Library - Calvin Park Branch (88 Wright Cres.)


Resources

Engagez-vous au niveau local. Présentez-vous aux élections municipales !

Les candidatures sont ouvertes du 1er mai au 21 août 2026. Renseignez-vous sur la façon de vous porter candidat ou candidate à une élection municipale ou scolaire en consultant le Guide 2026 à l’intention des candidats et candidates — élections municipales et scolaires en Ontario.

Séance d'information pour les candidats

  • Mardi 26 mai, 18 h à 19 h 30

  • Bibliothèque publique de Kingston Frontenac – Calvin Park (88, rue Wright)

Veuillez noter que les séances d'information se dérouleront principalement en anglais. Les informations fournies par les conseils scolaires seront disponibles en français.


  • Can I run for public office - and should I run?

    Where you are in the election process: Nomination period is open!

    Am I eligible to run for public office, and is this the right level of responsibility for me? Keep reading to help answer those questions!

    To answer the eligibility question, most residents of the municipality who can vote can also run for municipal office or School Board Trustee. Full details are available through the City.

    Next, understand what each role entails and whether you are interested in taking it on at this stage in your life, considering things like responsibilities and time commitment.

    What District Councillors do

    Where you are in the election process: Nomination period is open!

    Am I eligible to run for public office, and is this the right level of responsibility for me? Keep reading to help answer those questions!

    To answer the eligibility question, most residents of the municipality who can vote can also run for municipal office or School Board Trustee. Full details are available through the City.

    Next, understand what each role entails and whether you are interested in taking it on at this stage in your life, considering things like responsibilities and time commitment.

    What District Councillors do

    District Councillors are elected to make decisions about how the City runs and what it provides. They do not run day-to-day operations. District Councillors focus on strategic direction and decision-making.

    This includes:

    • Setting policies and priorities
    • Approving budgets and spending
    • Deciding on municipal services
    • Reviewing staff reports and making decisions in Council and committee meetings

    They also spend time meeting with residents, sitting on committees, reviewing agendas and reports and attending community events.

    What the Mayor does

    The Mayor is part of Council but has added leadership responsibilities.

    This includes:

    • Leading Council meetings
    • Representing the City publicly
    • Helping set direction and priorities
    • Acting as the main public face of the municipality

    In Kingston, provincial rules (Strong Mayor Powers) also give the Mayor additional authority over areas such as vetoing bylaws, proposing budgets and providing direction to municipal staff. These powers are tied to provincial housing and infrastructure priorities.

    If you’re ready to move forward

    Once you’ve decided to put your name forward, there are important steps to take. Filing requires an in-person appointment at City Hall so staff can review completed paperwork (available here) and support the process. Book your appointment now!

    Resource links:

    AMO Municipal 101: Key Municipal Roles

    Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing – Candidates’ Guide (Municipal Elections)

    AMO's Healthy Democracy Leadership Series: Supporting Local Leadership in the run-up to the 2026 Municipal Elections – free online workshop series for leaders seeking re-election or first-time aspiring candidates

    If you want this information in your inbox, please use the Subscribe tool on this page (top right). The goal is to help you understand the roles, expectations, and steps involved if you decide to move forward.

  • Thinking about running in the municipal election? Start here!

    Where you are in the election process: Nomination period is about to open

    Are you considering running for Mayor, District Councillor, or School Board Trustee in Kingston’s 2026 municipal election, or wondering whether it’s something worth exploring?

    Kingston votes on October 26, 2026. This year’s ballot will include:

    • Municipal roles (Mayor and District Councillors), who make decisions about City services, policies, budgets, and long‑term planning

    • School board trustees, who focus on public education governance and setting direction and priorities for local school boards

    If you want this information in your inbox, please use the Subscribe tool on this page

    Where you are in the election process: Nomination period is about to open

    Are you considering running for Mayor, District Councillor, or School Board Trustee in Kingston’s 2026 municipal election, or wondering whether it’s something worth exploring?

    Kingston votes on October 26, 2026. This year’s ballot will include:

    • Municipal roles (Mayor and District Councillors), who make decisions about City services, policies, budgets, and long‑term planning

    • School board trustees, who focus on public education governance and setting direction and priorities for local school boards

    If you want this information in your inbox, please use the Subscribe tool on this page (top right)! The goal is to help you understand the roles, expectations, and steps involved if you decide to move forward.

    Public office is present in daily life more than many people realize. It shapes services like water, roads, transit, parks, recreation, emergency response, and, for Trustees, schools. These systems are influenced through local decisions.

    You do not need political experience to run, and you don’t need to decide now! This is a starting point to understand what the roles involve and what comes next if you want to learn more.

    In the weeks ahead, we will cover things like:

    • Whether you are eligible to run

    • What the work of Mayor and Council looks like

    • How decisions get made

    • What the nomination process involves

    If you decide this is not for you, that is still a useful outcome. If you decide to explore further, you will know what you are stepping into. If you have any questions in the meantime, the Q&A tool is always open on this Get Involved page.

    Candidate information sessions

    For a guided tour of what running for office looks like, consider attending a candidate information session. Watch the video recording of the April 26 information session here.

    • Tuesday, May 26 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

    • Kingston Frontenac Public Library - Calvin Park Branch (88 Wright Cres.)

    Learn more

Page last updated: 13 May 2026, 04:36 PM