Are you ready for election day?
Municipal election day is coming to Waterloo Region on October 26, 2026. Waterloo Region voters have the opportunity to elect Councillors for regional, city and township councils, as well as Mayors for area municipalities and School Board Trustees.
Municipal politicians make many decisions that affect you every day. They choose how we invest in public transit or paramedic services. They make decisions about waste collection, roads, museums, arts funding, and more. They represent Waterloo Region’s interests to the provincial and federal governments. And much more!
You can learn more here about the Region of Waterloo and what we do.
To find the candidates running for election in your municipality, visit www.wrvotes.com and click your city or township logo to learn more.
Waterloo Region’s cities and townships offer you a range of different ways to cast your vote. Check your local municipal website to find what options are available to you. Many municipalities have scheduled advance voting dates prior to the October 26 election day. Visit www.wrvotes.com to find out more.
Do you know what you need to know to head to the polls? Check out our FAQ below.
Frequently Asked Questions about the 2026 Municipal Election:
1. Who can vote in the municipal election?
Anyone who is…
- A Canadian citizen; and
- At least 18 years of age; and
- An owner or tenant of land in the Region of Waterloo; or
- A spouse of a resident, owner, or tenant of land in the Region of Waterloo; and
- Not prohibited from voting under any law.
For further information please consult the Ministry of Municipal Affairs.
2. Who cannot vote?
Anyone who is…
- Serving a sentence of imprisonment in a penal or correctional institution; or
- A corporation; or
- Acting as executor or trustee or in another representative capacity, except as a voting proxy; or
- Convicted of a corrupt practice described in Section 90(3) of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996.
3. What if I’m a post-secondary student living in the Region of Waterloo?
Section 2(2.1) of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, permits post-secondary students to vote in both the Region of Waterloo municipal election and the municipal election conducted in their “home” municipality, provided they are residing in the Region of Waterloo to attend a post-secondary institution and intend to return to their “home” municipality at the conclusion of their studies.
4. Who will I be electing?
- Region of Waterloo Councillors
- City and Township Mayors (who also sit on Regional Council) and Ward Councillors
- School Board Trustees
5. How many Regional Councillors do I vote for?
- City of Kitchener elects four Regional Councillors
- City of Cambridge elects two Regional Councillors
- City of Waterloo elects two Regional Councillors
- If you live in one of the four Townships, your elected Mayor is your representative on Regional Council
6. What do the different levels of government do?
Regional Government is responsible for large-scale services such as buses and ION, paramedic services, and waste collection. The Region also provides several services that are delivered under provincial government direction: public health, child care, housing and homelessness.
Cities and townships are responsible for local services such as parks, fire fighting, zoning and land development, building permits and inspections.
The Region, cities and townships also share responsibility for some services, such as water and wastewater, roads and streets, libraries, by-law enforcement.
School Board Trustees are responsible for setting the board’s priorities, policies, and budgets, supporting students through the school system.
7. Where do I vote? Can I vote online?
Visit www.wrvotes.com and click your city or township logo to learn your options. Waterloo Region’s cities and townships offer voters a range of voting options and locations. This information is shared on the city or township webpages.
8. How often are municipal elections?
In Ontario, municipal elections are set by the provincial government’s Municipal Elections Act. They happen every four years.
For more information on municipal elections, visit the Ontario website: https://www.ontario.ca/document/2026-candidates-guide-ontario-municipal-council-and-school-board-elections/eligibility-run