2026 Municipal Election

Find key dates and deadlines for the 2026 Municipal election.

Key election dates

Learn the important dates for both candidates and voters.

May 1: Nomination and registration period opens

  • Nomination and registration period begins for candidates
  • First day an individual, union or corporation can file notice of registration as a third-party advertiser. Third party advertisers have until Friday, October 23, 2026, to register.
  • The campaign period begins on Friday, May 1, 2026, or whenever a candidate files a nomination paper, whichever is later. Candidates are not permitted to accept a contribution or incur an expense until nominations open and they have registered to be a candidate.

August 2026 key dates

  • August 21: Nominations close at 2:00 pm. Last day for a candidate to file nomination papers or withdraw their nomination. Nominations or withdrawal cannot be accepted after 2:00 pm.
  • August 24: Nominations certified, proxy voter applications open
    • The Clerk will examine and certify all nominations by 4:00 pm and declare candidate(s) elected by acclamation. This date is subject to additional nominations being required.
    • Voters being appointed as proxies can apply for their proxy voting certificate after 4:00 pm
  • August 26: Additional nominations open, if required
    • If the number of nominations filed for an office and certified is less than the number of persons to be elected to the office, additional nominations can be filed at the Office of the City Clerk on Wednesday, August 26, between 9:00 am and 2:00 pm
    • A candidate who wishes to withdraw their additional nomination must notify the Clerk in writing before 2:00 pm
  • August 27: Certification of additional nominations. The Clerk will examine and certify any additional nominations by 4:00 pm and declare the candidate(s) elected by acclamation

September 1: Voters' list available

  • The voters’ list will be made available to certified candidates, upon request
  • Individuals may make an application to revise the voters’ list until election day

October 2026 key dates

  • October 1: Certificates of maximum campaign spending. The Clerk will provide the certificate of maximum campaign spending limits to all certified candidates and third-party advertisers
  • October 6 to 24: Advanced voting days. Advanced polls are scheduled to begin on October 6 on various days/locations throughout the municipality. Additional details will be posted once confirmed.
  • October 26: Voting day. Polling locations will be open from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm.
  • October 27: Declaration of election results. The Clerk will declare official election results and post them to the City’s website.

After the election: Key dates

  • November 14: 2022-2026 term of office ends
  • November 15: 2026-2030 new term of office begins
  • December 31: Election campaign period ends. The campaign period ends for candidates and third-party advertisers and no further expenses or contributions are to be received. Should a candidate or third-party advertiser have a deficit they must provide written notice to the Clerk about the continuation of their campaign period.
  • March 30, 2027: Last day to file campaign financial statements by 2:00 pm. Last day for candidates and registered third party advertisers to file initial financial statements and auditors report (if applicable).
  • June 28, 2027: Last day to file a Compliance Audit Application

Frequently asked questions

Election day is Monday, October 26, 2026, 10:00 am to 8:00 pm.

You are voting for the following:

Members of City Council

  • Mayor: One (1) to be elected, at large within the City of Niagara Falls, also serves as a member of Regional Council
  • City Councillors: Eight (8) to be elected at large within the City of Niagara Falls

Members of Regional Council

  • Regional Councillors: Three (3) to be elected, at large, to represent the City of Niagara Falls at Regional Council

School Board Trustees

  • English Language Public School Board: Two (2) to be elected at large
  • English Language Catholic School Board: Two (2) to be elected at large
  • French Language Public School Board: One (1) to be elected at large
  • French Language Catholic School Board: One (1) to be elected at large 

You are eligible to vote on Election Day if you meet all the following requirements:

  • You are a Canadian citizen
  • You are aged 18 or older
  • Either a resident of the municipality or a property owner or tenant or the spouse or same sex partner of an owner or tenant in the municipality during a specified time just before the election

For more information, please visit the Government of Ontario website (2022).

You can check if you are on the voters list using the Elections Ontario Register to Vote application.

To run for Mayor, City Councillor, or Regional Councillor, a candidate must:

  • Be a Canadian Citizen and at least 18 years of age on the day you file your nomination 
  • Be a resident of the municipality or a non-resident owner or tenant of land in the municipality, or the spouse or same-sex partner of an owner or tenant of land in the municipality 
  • Not be disqualified by any legislation from holding municipal office
  • Provide 25 signatures from eligible voters endorsing the nomination upon registration as a candidate
  • Pay the required nomination fee

To run as a Trustee for a local school board, a candidate must:

  • Be a Canadian Citizen and at least 18 years of age on the day you file your nomination 
  • Be eligible to be an elector of that school board for which the person is a candidate 
  • Not be disqualified by any legislation from holding municipal office
  • Pay the required nomination fee

Prospective candidates in the 2026 Municipal Elections must first be nominated before raising any campaign funds or incurring expenses.

Nomination papers must be filed with the City Clerk, or his designate, during regular office hours (8:30 am to 4:00 pm) between Monday, May 1, 2026, and Friday, August 21, 2026, by 2:00 pm. Note: An individual can only run for one office at a time.

Before visiting City Hall, we ask all prospective candidates to please make an appointment with the Clerk’s Department by calling: 905-356-7521 ext. 4278.

Learn more on the For Candidates webpage.

You can vote in one of the following ways: 

  • City Hall: Voters can visit City Hall to vote from Monday, September 28, 2026, to Friday, October 23, 2026, weekdays, 9 am to 4 pm. On Election Day, voters can vote at City Hall from 10 am to 8 pm.
  • Advanced Polls: Voters may attend any of the advance polls held before Election Day. Dates, times, and locations are provided by the City closer to the election. Any qualified elector can vote at any one of the advance polls. You don’t have to wait until election day to cast your vote!
  • Election Day: Voters can attend their assigned voting location on Election Day from 10 am to 8 pm

Applications for election worker positions will open in August 2026. More information will be provided closer to that time.

Available positions include:

  • Supervising Deputy Returning Officers (SDRO)
  • Deputy Returning Officers (DRO)
  • Tabulating Deputy Returning Officers (TDRO)
  • Information Assistants (IA)

Interested individuals will be required to complete an application form for review by election staff and submit it in person to the Clerk’s Office at City Hall.

Candidates, a candidate’s spouse, members of a candidate’s immediate family, or anyone involved in a candidate’s election campaign (to the best knowledge of the Clerk’s staff) are not eligible to work in the election.

All election workers must have access to a vehicle on Election Day.

Attendance at a mandatory training session is required for all election workers. Training will be scheduled as close to Voting Day as possible, typically during the weeks prior to Voting Day. Comprehensive training manuals will be provided in advance of and during training sessions.

Contact Us

City of Niagara Falls
4310 Queen Street
P.O. Box 1023
Niagara Falls, ON L2E 6X5
Canada
905-356-7521
service@niagarafalls.ca