Nomination period opens May 1 for 2026 Municipal Election

Thinking about running for office? The nomination period for the 2026 Municipal and School Board Election officially opens on May 1, 2026.

The 2026 Municipal Election and School Board Election will be held on October 26, 2026. Interested candidates may file their nomination starting May 1, 2026, until August 21, 2026, at 2 p.m. at their respective municipality or for Regional Council at the Region of Waterloo.

Interested candidates can also attend a free information workshop taking place on April 23, 2026, at 5 p.m. Attendees at “Lead Local” will get to learn about the municipal election process, get expert guidance and resources for candidacy and network with former municipal leaders.

Presented by the Cities of Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo, the Townships of North Dumfries, Wellesley, Wilmot, Woolwich and the Region of Waterloo, the workshop will provide an overview of the roles and responsibilities of regional and municipal council members, including duties, scope and commitments.

To be eligible as a candidate in this year’s Municipal and School Board Election, you must meet the following requirements:

• A Canadian citizen.
• At least 18 years of age.
• A resident of the municipality, a non-resident owner or tenant of land in the municipality or the spouse of such non-resident, owner or tenant.
• Not legally prohibited from voting.
• Not disqualified by any legislation from holding municipal office.

Nominations will be received by the Clerk for the Offices of:

• Regional Chair
• Regional Councillor for Cambridge, Kitchener or Waterloo
• Mayor
• Ward Councillor
• Waterloo Region District School Board
• Waterloo Catholic District School Board
• French Language Public School Trustee (Conseil Scolaire Viamonde)
• French Language Separate School Trustee (Conseil Scolaire Catholique MonAvenir)

Nomination Procedure:
To run for the office of mayor, councillor or school board trustee, individuals must file a nomination paper and provide proof of a qualifying address within each municipality or school board jurisdiction and the appropriate filing fee. Additionally, mayor and councillor nominees must provide at least 25 endorsements of nomination from eligible voters. The nomination paper and endorsement of nomination forms must have original signatures.

1. The prescribed Nomination Paper may be obtained and filed in the Office of the Clerk:
   • On any day from May 1, 2026, to August 21, 2026, when the Clerk’s Office is open (contact for office hours).
   • No later than Nomination Day, Friday, August 21, 2026, during the hours of 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.
   • The Nomination Paper shall be accompanied by a filing fee in cash, debit (if available), certified cheque or money order payable to the municipality in the amount of:
     • $200 for the office of the Regional Chair or Mayor
     • $100 for any other office

It's important to note that, until a nomination paper is filed, a person cannot raise or spend any money on their campaign. 

While the municipal election is still months away, eligible voters can now complete the first step in preparing to vote this fall by registering to vote and ensure you’re on the voter list. You can add or verify your details, update your address or contact information, and add new eligible voters to your household.

For more information on this year’s election in Waterloo, including running for council, candidate session dates, filing fees, additional resources and details on third-party advertising, please visit: www.waterloo.ca/elections

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Media Contact
Stacey Abbott, Corporate Communications Manager
City of Waterloo
Stacey.Abbott@waterloo.ca