Candidate registration for municipal election opens May 1

Local candidates for the 2026 municipal council and school board elections, to be held October 26, can register beginning May 1.

Third-party political advertisers can also register beginning that day.

“Elections are a cornerstone of our local democracy, and the upcoming municipal and school board election is an important opportunity for residents to have their say in who represents their community,” says Markham City Clerk and Chief Election Official. Kimberley Kitteringham. “Whether you’re considering running for office or preparing to vote, Elections Markham is here to ensure the process is transparent, accessible and easy to navigate.”

Markham voters will cast their ballot for the following offices: mayor (one position), regional councillor (four positions), ward councillor (eight positions), York Region District School Board trustee (four positions), York Catholic District School Board trustee (two positions), Conseil scolaire Viamonde trustee (one position) and Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir trustee (one position).

Eligible persons looking to make a difference in their community are encouraged to run for elected office, the City of Markham says. A person can be a candidate in the 2026 Markham Municipal Election if they are at least 18 years old and a Canadian citizen; a resident, landowner or tenant of Markham or the applicable school board jurisdiction; and not legally prohibited from running for office.

Candidates can register with Elections Markham until August 21 at 2 p.m. Step-by-step instructions on how to register are available at ElectionsMarkham.ca/CandidateRegistration. Elections Markham will also be hosting free information sessions on what’s involved in running for office.

Candidates will be required to show identification as proof of eligibility and pay a refundable registration fee. Before registering, candidates running for Markham City Council are required to collect at least 25 original handwritten endorsement signatures from eligible Markham voters using the form available from Elections Markham.

Any person, corporation or trade union that plans to take part in paid activity that supports or opposes a candidate in the election needs to register as a thir- party advertiser. Instructions on how to register and the rules around political advertising are available at ElectionsMarkham.ca/PoliticalAdvertising. The deadline to register as a third-party advertiser is October 23 at 5 p.m.

A person or entity cannot fundraise or spend money towards the election until they have registered with Elections Markham. Eligible voters are encouraged to visit ElectionsMarkham.ca throughout the year for the latest and most reliable information about the 2026 Markham Municipal Election. Other useful links: Register to Vote and Donating to a Candidate’s Campaign.

Visit https:stouffvillevotes.ca  to learn more about the next municipal election to fill the offices of the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville council, comprised of one mayor and six councillors, as well as school board trustees to be elected for the York Region District School Board, York Catholic District School Board, Conseil scolaire Viamonde and Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir.