Candidates hoping to run in the Durham Municipal Election 2026 have only a short time remaining to officially enter the race, with nomination papers due by 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21.
The deadline applies to municipal and school board candidates across Ontario, including those seeking office in Durham Region communities such as Oshawa, Ajax, Pickering, Whitby, Clarington, Uxbridge, Scugog and Brock.
The Association of Municipalities of Ontario confirms Aug. 21 as the final nomination day for the 2026 election. Candidates must complete their required paperwork by 2 p.m., and the same deadline applies to candidates who want to withdraw an existing nomination.
Ontario’s municipal election will be held on Monday, Oct. 26, 2026.
Nomination Period Opened in May
The nomination period began on May 1.
People can run for positions including mayor, regional or local councillor and school board trustee, depending on the offices available in their municipality.
Unlike federal and provincial politics, Ontario municipal candidates do not formally run under political-party banners.
AMO says municipal elections are held every four years and elected officials serve four-year terms.
What Candidates Need to File
Candidates seeking municipal office must meet Ontario’s eligibility requirements.
Eligible candidates generally must:
- be Canadian citizens
- be at least 18 years old
- have the required connection to the municipality through residency, land ownership or tenancy, or qualifying spousal status
- not be legally prohibited from voting
- not otherwise be disqualified from holding municipal office
Candidates generally pay a $100 nomination fee, while candidates seeking head of council, such as mayor or reeve, pay $200.
In municipalities with more than 4,000 electors, candidates must also obtain 25 endorsement signatures when filing their nomination.
Missing the Deadline Means Missing the Ballot
The Aug. 21 deadline is especially important because prospective candidates who do not complete the required nomination process in time will not be able to join the regular municipal election ballot.
AMO’s 2026 election guide specifies that final nomination paperwork must be filed by 2 p.m. on Aug. 21.
Municipal clerks will then review nomination packages.
Candidate certification is scheduled to follow on Aug. 24, according to AMO’s 2026 election calendar.
Durham Voters Head to Polls Oct. 26
The Durham Municipal Election 2026 will culminate on Oct. 26.
Residents will vote for the municipal representatives responsible for decisions affecting issues such as development, roads, recreation, local services, infrastructure and property-tax-supported programs.
Depending on where they live, Durham voters may also cast ballots for regional representatives and school board trustees.
Who Can Vote?
AMO says eligible municipal voters must be Canadian citizens who are at least 18 years old and meet the applicable residency, property ownership, tenancy or spousal eligibility requirements in the municipality.
Residents should verify their voter information before election day and follow instructions issued by their individual municipality regarding voting methods and voter-list changes.
Voting methods may differ between Durham municipalities, with some communities offering alternatives such as online voting.
Key Ontario Municipal Election Dates
Important dates include:
- Aug. 21: Final nomination day, with filings due by 2 p.m.
- Aug. 24: Municipal clerks certify candidates
- Sept. 1: Voter-list preparation reaches an important milestone, with amendments continuing afterward through municipal clerks
- Oct. 26: Municipal election day
- Nov. 14: Final day of the current council term
- Nov. 15: New council term begins
AMO confirms Oct. 26 as Ontario’s official 2026 municipal election day.
Candidate Lists Will Soon Be Finalized
Once the nomination deadline passes, Durham residents will have a clearer picture of who is officially contesting mayoral, council and trustee positions across the region.
Municipal clerks will certify nominations before final candidate lists are established.
That will mark the beginning of the final phase of campaigning ahead of the October vote.
For prospective candidates, however, the immediate deadline is clear: nomination documents must be filed by 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21.
