Municipal Elections 2026

As a Canadian citizen of voting age, casting a ballot in an election is your chance to help shape your community and influence the decisions that affect your daily life.  

Most of us regularly rely on municipal services, whether through water and waste management, housing, roads and sidewalks, transit, public parks, or emergency services. That is why local government often has the most direct impact on our daily lives. 

During municipal elections, you can also vote for a school board trustee. For autistic people, caregivers and allies, a trustee can influence a school board’s priorities and decisions. Trustees focus student achievement and well-being by: 

  • Advocating concerns on behalf of parents, students, and allies to the board 

  • Participating in school board meetings and related subcommittee meetings 

  • Consulting with their community members on the board’s long-term strategic priorities and goals 

  • Bringing forward concerns of member

If you live in rural or Northern Ontario, you may also be able to vote for members of the District Social Services Administration Board (DSSAB). A DSSAB administers human and social services, including Ontario Works,  

  • Child Care and Early Years,  
  • Community Housing and  
  • Paramedic/Land Ambulance Services 

 

Voting Information and Key Steps
1. Verify Your Registration:

Visit the Elections Ontario website Navigate to the section “Check, update, add or remove your information from the voters list.”

If you wish to confirm, update, add, or remove your information on the voting list, select the appropriate button. You will be guided through the steps to complete the process.   

2. Key deadline:

To update your information after September 1, you must contact your municipal clerk directly. Find local contact details on the Municipal Directory (https://www.registertovoteon.ca/voters-list/contact-information-for-municipalities-dssabs-and-school-boards)  

3. Confirm school board support (Property owners and Tenants):

Visit the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation website to confirm or change which school board you support. Selection of a school board is important, as it will determine which school board trustee(s) you will vote for.   

Visit the School Support Designation Toolkit and scroll down to How to Update School Support designations. Select either “I am a property owner, "or “I am a tenant” and follow the instructions. You will be required to provide your address. 

4. Candidate details:

You can find information about your local municipal and school board trustee candidates on your municipality’s website. You can also find information on school board trustee elections and DSSAB candidates on their respective websites. https://www.registertovoteon.ca/voters-list/contact-information-for-municipalities-dssabs-and-school-boards 

5. Alternative voting methods:

Each municipality may also have its own alternative voting arrangements, including voting online. Check the website of your municipality for more information. 

Questions you may consider asking of municipal election candidates:

Mayor

  • A 2025 review of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) has found that Ontario still has a long way to go before fulfilling the goal of becoming fully accessible. Because municipal government so directly impacts the lives of so many people, what will you do if (re) elected to make the (Name of Community) more accessible? 

  • Supportive, accessible, and deeply affordable housing is an ever-present concern for parents of children who are autistic and who have disabilities. What steps will you take to promote accessible, supportive and affordable housing for autistic people and people with disabilities?

  • What steps will you take to be more inclusive in recruiting diverse municipal staff? 

Trustee: 

  • How do you work with parents who come to you?  

  • What do you think about the future of your role given recent legislative changes?  

  • How do you feel about school boards being placed under supervision? 

  • What are your goals for improving special education programs and services? How will you advocate for adequate funding and resources for special education? 

  • What do you see as the biggest barrier experienced by autistic students and students with disabilities? 

  • How will you ensure the voices of students with disabilities and their families are reflected in board decision-making processes? 

  • How will you work with and respond to recommendations from the Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC)? 

  • How will you ensure accessibility and disability-related needs are considered when making board-wide policy and budget decisions? 

  • How will you hold the board accountable for providing equitable and inclusive education for students with disabilities? 

DSSAB:

  • What can you do to provide better access to services for autistic and neurodivergent residents? 

  • Supportive, accessible, and deeply affordable housing is an ever-present concern for parents of children who are autistic and who have disabilities. What steps will you take to promote accessible, supportive and affordable housing for autistic people and people with disabilities?

For details about the 2026 Ontario municipal council and school board elections, read the 2026 Voter’s Guide. To find contact information for your municipality, DSSAB, or school board, visit Contact information for municipalities, DSSABs and school boards.