2026 Municipal Election

2026 Municipal Election

Francais ci-dessous

2026 Election sticker contest

Submissions for the "I Voted" and "Future Voter" stickers are now closed. Keep an eye out on this page for the shortlist announcement later this summer!

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.

If you want ongoing candidate information in your inbox, please email us at getinvolved@cityofkingston.ca. The goal is to help you understand the roles, expectations, and steps involved if you decide to move forward.

How to run for municipal office

  • 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 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.

2026 Municipal Election

Francais ci-dessous

2026 Election sticker contest

Submissions for the "I Voted" and "Future Voter" stickers are now closed. Keep an eye out on this page for the shortlist announcement later this summer!

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.

If you want ongoing candidate information in your inbox, please email us at getinvolved@cityofkingston.ca. The goal is to help you understand the roles, expectations, and steps involved if you decide to move forward.

How to run for municipal office

  • 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 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.

Q&A

Have questions about running for municipal office? Ask them here!

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  • Thank you for answering the previous questions. I appreciate the opportunity to ask these questions in an open, transparent forum for all candidates, potential candidates, and voters to see. My question is about the process that voters will use after August 12, 2026 to be added to the voters list. My understanding is that up to August 12, 2026 voters can go to the Elections Ontario voter registration website at https://www.registertovoteon.ca/ to have their name added to the list. However, after August 12, 2026 the City will have responsibility for adding any voters who want to be added to the voters' list. The information on the City of Kingston website says that starting September 1, 2026 voters can contact the City's Election Office to add/update their information on the voters' list and that more details will be provided at that time. Are there any preliminary details about the process that will be in place after September 1, 2026 that you can provide now? Will there be an online option available to voters or will voters be required to visit City Hall in person to be added to the list? There are a lot of new residents, including thousands of post-secondary students, who we welcome to the City in the Fall that may not be on the voters' list. Understanding how new residents who are not the list can be added after September 1 would be appreciated. Thank you!

    JD asked about 2 months ago

    Openness and transparency are two of the main values we strive for in organizing the municipal election! 

    Final dates are still being confirmed, but shortly after the City takes control of the voters' list on September 1, eligible voters will have a few different methods for confirming if they are on the voters' list, as well as correcting information or adding themselves to the list:

    • Via an online portal on the City website. 
    • In-person at the Elections Office at City Hall.
    • In-person at a voting place on advance voting days (October 16 & 17) or voting day itself (October 26)

    The first two options are preferred as they ensure a quicker voting process on advance voting days or voting day. Also, if you wish to vote by internet, you will need to be added to the voters' list and receive your Voter Information Letter.

    It is also important to note that whatever option a person chooses to add themselves to the voters list, they will need to provide a piece of identification that has their name and address in the City of Kingston. A full list can be found on the City website. Some common options for students include a copy of a lease agreement, a utility bill, or a document showing campus residence issued by a post-secondary institution.

    More details will be posted on the Voters page of the City website in the summer regarding voter registration options.

  • What resources do candidates receive in terms of their district? maps, any kind of voter list etc?

    essellbee asked about 2 months ago

    Great question! Once a candidate files their nomination, they receive:

    • The Preliminary Certificate of Maximum Campaign Expenses. This document details the maximum amount a candidate can self-fund for their campaign, and the maximum amount they can spend on the campaign.
    • Information regarding the requirement for campaign expense reporting, along with the Form 4 - Auditor's Report - Candidate. This form must be submitted by all candidates after the campaign period ends on December 31, 2026.
    • Copies of the procedures used by the City for internet voting and electronic vote tabulation equipment.
    • A copy of the Election Signs By-Law, and a summary document for the by-law.
    • A copy of the Use of Corporate Resources for Election Purposes Policy.
    • Digital copies of district or City-wide maps. Upon request, hard copies of maps can be provided.

    Candidates will also receive information throughout the campaign period from the Elections Office. This includes access to the voters' list, which becomes available starting September 1. Before September 30 candidates will also receive the final certificate of campaign expenses, which provides the final maximum for self-funding and campaign spending limits.

  • Where can we find a list of registered candidates?

    budbear asked 2 months ago

    Hello! Thanks for your question. The list of candidates can be found on the City website here: https://www.cityofkingston.ca/council-and-city-administration/elections/candidates/candidate-list/ This webpage will be updated regularly as candidates submit their nominations.

  • How will the voting locations be selected in each district? When will the voting locations be finalized and published for candidates and votes?

    JD asked 3 months ago

    Excellent question! Voting places are chosen using a variety of factors, including physical accessibility of the space, proximity to public transit options, available parking, and location within the district. Staff work to balance locations in districts between the two advance voting days and Voting Day itself. 

    The full list of voting places will be posted on the voters page of City website by early July. Information on voting places will also be in the Voter Information Letters mailed in October to all electors on the voters list. To see if you are on the voters list, visit RegisterToVoteON.ca.

  • Will there be any changes to the electoral district boundaries (for City of Kingston council) prior to the 2026 election?

    JD asked 3 months ago

    Thanks for the question! There will be no changes to the current district boundaries. You may view the current boundaries here on the City website.

  • What are the upfront costs of running as a council member?

    Brian W Janiuk asked 3 months ago

    Great question! There is a $200 filing fee for those running for Mayor, and $100 filing fee for those running for District Councillor or school board trustee. Those fees are reimbursed to candidates when they file their financial statements following the election.

Page last updated: 06 Jul 2026, 10:51 AM