2026 Municipal Election

2026 Municipal Election

Francais ci-dessous

2026 Election sticker contest

Kingston’s search for the next iconic “I Voted” sticker design is officially underway! We invite the community to design official “I Voted” and “Future Voter” stickers that will be handed out at voting places on Advance Voting Days (Oct. 16 and 17, 2026) and Voting Day (Oct. 26, 2026). And, while you’re getting ready to design your sticker, don’t forget to make sure you’re registered to vote!

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

Kingston’s search for the next iconic “I Voted” sticker design is officially underway! We invite the community to design official “I Voted” and “Future Voter” stickers that will be handed out at voting places on Advance Voting Days (Oct. 16 and 17, 2026) and Voting Day (Oct. 26, 2026). And, while you’re getting ready to design your sticker, don’t forget to make sure you’re registered to vote!

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.

  • Voter Sticker Contest

    Calling all Kingstonians: You're invited to submit your designs for Kingston's 2026 "I Voted" and "Future Voter" stickers!


    Kingston voters are headed to the polls on October 26, 2026! Help us design this year's voter stickers. We're collecting design submissions until July 3, 2026 at 4 p.m.. The election team will review all submissions and choose a shortlist that will open for public voting. The winning stickers will be available to voters at voting locations!


    Before submitting your design, please review eligibility, rules and requirements here.


    Download the sticker template here.


    By participating, each participant and the Winning Participant agree: a) that artwork is their own original work and not based on any pre-existing work; b) that no third-party intellectual property, including AI-generated content, is used; and c) that the City receives full ownership of winning designs and rights to reproduce, distribute and/or use designs in any format. The City reserves the right to disqualify submissions not meeting requirements, not select a winner if standards are not met, and make minor modifications for print quality or other purposes deemed necessary by the City.

    If you have any questions, or require an alternate format, please reach out to GetInvolvedKingston@CityofKingston.ca.

    Complete Form
Page last updated: 03 Jun 2026, 10:13 AM