Durham Region Municipal Election 2026
Voting day: Monday, October 26, 2026
3 days to go
How, when and where to vote for mayor, council and school board trustee in all eight Durham Region municipalities.
Last reviewed October 8, 2026 by the Durham Happening editorial team. Non-partisan: we do not endorse candidates.
Please verify before you vote. This page, including the FAQ, is maintained on a best-effort basis and we make no guarantees that it is complete, accurate or up to date. Voting information comes from each municipality's official election website and the Province of Ontario's voters' guide; candidate meetings come from their organizers' announcements and local news. Election details can change, so always confirm with your municipality's official election page before you vote.
Ontario's municipal and school board elections are on Monday, October 26, 2026. Durham Region has eight municipalities - Ajax, Brock, Clarington, Oshawa, Pickering, Scugog, Uxbridge and Whitby - and each runs its own election, so the ways to vote differ: most offer online voting, some add telephone voting, and Whitby votes on paper at advance polls and on voting day. Voting starts as early as October 13. Every detail below comes from the municipality's official election page, linked on each card. Dates and locations can change, so confirm with your municipality before you go.
How to Vote in Your Municipality
Voting methods, dates and hours from each municipal clerk's 2026 election page.
Ajax election 2026: how to vote
Ajax votes by internet or telephone from October 19 to October 26. Voter Assistance Centres help in person.
- Internet or telephone
- October 19 (10 a.m.) to October 26 (8 p.m.), from anywhere. Your instructions and credentials are in the Voter Information Letter mailed to voters on the list.
- Voter Assistance Centres
- Help with voting or the voters' list at Audley Recreation Centre, Ajax Community Centre and McLean Community Centre: October 22 and 23, 4 to 8 p.m.; October 24, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; October 26, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
On the ballot: Mayor, a Regional Councillor and a Local Councillor for each of Wards 1, 2 and 3, and school board trustees.
Brock election 2026: how to vote
Brock votes by internet or telephone from October 17 to October 26, with in-person help at Voting Assistance Centres.
- Internet or telephone
- October 17 (9 a.m.) to October 26 (8 p.m.), at any time of day, with the PIN in your Voter Information Letter (mailed starting September 30).
- Voting Assistance Centres
- In person, for help or a ballot on demand: Municipal Administration Building (1 Cameron Street East, Cannington), Beaverton Arena and the Sunderland Fire Station, mostly October 19 to 26. Bring your letter and ID if you need a ballot on demand. The Township's voter information page has the hours for each site.
On the ballot: Mayor, a Regional Councillor, a Ward Councillor for each of Wards 1 to 5, and school board trustees.
Clarington election 2026: how to vote
Clarington votes by internet or telephone from October 20 to October 26. Election Assistance Centres help in person.
- Internet or telephone
- October 20 (10 a.m.) to October 26 (8 p.m.). Use the PIN from your Voter Information Letter (mailed in early October) and your full date of birth.
- Election Assistance Centres
- Help with voting or the voters' list, October 20 to 26, at community centres and Clarington Public Library branches. On October 26, most sites are open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Hours vary by site and day: see the schedule on the Municipality's How Do I Vote page.
On the ballot: Mayor, two Regional Councillors (Wards 1 and 2, and Wards 3 and 4), a Local Councillor for each of Wards 1 to 4, and school board trustees (Clarington has its own English boards, see School Board Trustees below).
Oshawa election 2026: how to vote
Oshawa votes online from October 13 to October 26. Paper ballots are available on voting day, October 26, at a Voter Assistance Centre in your ward.
- Online
- October 13 (10 a.m.) to October 26 (8 p.m.). First register with the registration number and date of birth from your Voter Information Letter; your Voting PIN then comes by email or text. On October 26, register by 6 p.m. and vote by 8 p.m.
- Advance Voter Assistance Centres
- Help voting online on a City device: City Hall (50 Centre St. S.), October 13 to 17 and 19 to 23, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., plus one community centre each afternoon, October 14 to 17 and 19, 1 to 6 p.m.
- Paper ballot on voting day
- Monday, October 26, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., at a Voter Assistance Centre in your ward (the City lists five or six per ward). Accessible voting equipment is at City Hall, for any ward. Bring your letter and ID.
On the ballot: Mayor (city-wide), a Regional and City Councillor and a City Councillor for your ward (Oshawa has 5 wards), and school board trustees.
Pickering election 2026: how to vote
Pickering votes online from October 19 to October 26, or by paper ballot at any voting location on October 26 only.
- Internet
- October 19 (10 a.m.) to October 26 (8 p.m.). Use the PIN from your Voter Information Package (mailed October 5) and your full date of birth.
- Paper ballot, vote anywhere
- Monday, October 26 only, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., at any voting location: Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex, Dorsay Community and Heritage Centre, George Ashe Library and Community Centre, Dr. Nelson F. Tomlinson Community Centre and West Shore Community Centre. Bring ID with your name and Pickering address.
- Voting Assistance Centres
- Help with online voting or the voters' list: October 19 to 23, 4 to 8 p.m. (3 sites); October 24 and 25, 1 to 5 p.m. (5 sites).
On the ballot: Mayor (city-wide), a Regional Councillor and a City Councillor for each of Wards 1, 2 and 3, and school board trustees.
Scugog election 2026: how to vote
Scugog votes online from October 14 to October 26, or on paper at advance polls and on voting day. There is no phone voting.
- Online
- October 14 (10 a.m.) to October 26 (8 p.m.), with the Voter Information Package mailed in early October.
- Advance voting (paper)
- October 16, 2 to 8 p.m., and October 17 and 18, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., at four locations (Scugog Community Recreation Centre, Greenbank Centennial Hall, Blackstock Recreation Complex, Scugog Island Hall). October 19 to 22, 2 to 8 p.m., at the Scugog Community Recreation Centre only. Vote at any location.
- Voting day (paper)
- Monday, October 26, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., at all four locations. Bring acceptable ID.
On the ballot: Mayor and Regional Councillor (both elected at large), a Ward Councillor for each of Wards 1 to 5, and school board trustees.
Uxbridge election 2026: how to vote
Uxbridge votes by internet from October 13 to October 26. Voter Assistance Centres help in person.
- Internet
- October 13 (9 a.m.) to October 26 (8 p.m.). You need the PIN in your Voter Information Letter, expected by early October. No letter by October 12, or errors in it: visit a Voter Assistance Centre or call Town Hall at 905-852-9181.
- Voter Assistance Centres
- Help with online voting at Town Hall (51 Toronto Street South), Uxbridge Public Library (9 Toronto Street South), Goodwood Community Centre (October 15) and Zephyr Community Centre (October 22). Bring your letter if you need help. The Town's voter page has the hours for each site.
On the ballot: Mayor and Regional Councillor (both elected at large), a Ward Councillor for each of Wards 1 to 5, and school board trustees.
Whitby election 2026: how to vote
Whitby votes in person on paper: at advance polls October 22 to 25, or on voting day, October 26. A special mail-in ballot is available by application.
- Advance vote
- October 22 to 25, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., at one of three advance locations: the Abilities Centre, Brooklin Community Centre and Library or Town Hall.
- Voting day
- Monday, October 26, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., at one of 19 voting locations in the Town. Your Voter Notification Card shows the voting locations. Bring one piece of ID showing your name and Whitby address.
- Special mail-in ballot
- Apply in person at Town Hall until October 21 at 4:30 p.m. (the mail and email deadlines have passed). Return the ballot by mail by October 18, or in person at Town Hall by 4:30 p.m. on October 26.
On the ballot: Mayor (town-wide), a Regional Councillor and a Local Councillor for each of Whitby's 4 wards, and school board trustees.
Are You on the Voters' List?
You can only get a ballot if you are on your municipality's voters' list. Registered voters get a voter information letter in the mail before voting starts; online voting in most cities needs the PIN or voter ID printed on it. If yours has not arrived by early October, check your registration now.
- Ajax: Check or amend your entry in the Town's Voters' List Portal, at the Corporate Services counter at Town Hall (until 8 p.m. on October 26), or at a Voter Assistance Centre. You need ID to amend the list. Check now
- Brock: Online registration through Elections Ontario closed August 12. Since September 1, check the list and apply to amend it in person at the Clerk's Department, 1 Cameron Street East, with ID and proof of address ([email protected] or 705-432-2355). Check now
- Clarington: Check the list at clarington.voterservices.ca. Since September 1, changes are made in person at the Municipal Clerk's Office (40 Temperance Street, Bowmanville) or an Election Assistance Centre until October 26, with proof of identity and address. Check now
- Oshawa: Use the City's Elector Lookup to check, update or register until October 15. Adding your name needs an ID upload and staff approval. After that, go to a Voter Assistance Centre with ID, up to voting day. Check now
- Pickering: Check or amend your entry in the City's online voter registration until 4 p.m. on October 23, or at the Clerk's Office at City Hall until voting closes on October 26. After October 23, go to a Voting Assistance Centre or voting location with ID. Check now
- Scugog: Check with the Township's Voter Information Tool, or visit the Municipal Office (181 Perry Street, Port Perry) to add or correct your entry with acceptable ID. Check now
- Uxbridge: Check the list with the Town's Voter Lookup, or call 905-852-9181. To add or change your details, visit the Clerk's Department at Town Hall (51 Toronto Street South) or email [email protected]. Check now
- Whitby: Check and update your entry with the Town's Plan Your Vote tool until 4:30 p.m. on October 23, or in person at a voting location during advance voting or on voting day. Check now
Registering through Elections Ontario's RegisterToVoteON.ca closed on August 12, 2026. Since September 1, changes go through your municipal clerk, and each municipality's deadline and process are different, as listed above.
What ID to Bring
To vote in person, show one document with your name and address. Photo ID is not required. Common choices:
- Ontario driver's licence or Ontario Photo Card
- Utility bill (hydro, water, gas, phone, cable)
- Bank, credit card or RRSP statement
- Mortgage statement, lease or rental agreement
- Property tax bill or MPAC assessment notice
- Income tax notice of assessment or a government benefit statement
A Canadian passport does not count on its own because the address inside is handwritten. If you are on the voters' list but have no ID, you can sign a declaration of identity at the voting place. Online and telephone voting use the credentials in your Voter Information Letter instead, but you need ID to vote in person, to get a ballot on demand, or to add yourself to the list. See the province's full list of acceptable documents.
What's on the Ballot
| Municipality | Council offices you vote for |
|---|---|
| Ajax | Mayor, a Regional Councillor and a Local Councillor for each of Wards 1, 2 and 3, and school board trustees. |
| Brock | Mayor, a Regional Councillor, a Ward Councillor for each of Wards 1 to 5, and school board trustees. |
| Clarington | Mayor, two Regional Councillors (Wards 1 and 2, and Wards 3 and 4), a Local Councillor for each of Wards 1 to 4, and school board trustees (Clarington has its own English boards, see School Board Trustees below). |
| Oshawa | Mayor (city-wide), a Regional and City Councillor and a City Councillor for your ward (Oshawa has 5 wards), and school board trustees. |
| Pickering | Mayor (city-wide), a Regional Councillor and a City Councillor for each of Wards 1, 2 and 3, and school board trustees. |
| Scugog | Mayor and Regional Councillor (both elected at large), a Ward Councillor for each of Wards 1 to 5, and school board trustees. |
| Uxbridge | Mayor and Regional Councillor (both elected at large), a Ward Councillor for each of Wards 1 to 5, and school board trustees. |
| Whitby | Mayor (town-wide), a Regional Councillor and a Local Councillor for each of Whitby's 4 wards, and school board trustees. |
Regional Councillors sit on both their local council and Durham Regional Council, along with every mayor. The Durham Regional Chair is not on the ballot: the Region of Durham says the Better Regional Governance Act, 2026 changes the Chair from an elected office to one appointed by the province (Region of Durham election page). Some races were decided by acclamation before voting began; each municipality's candidate list shows which.
School Board Trustees
You get one trustee ballot, for the board you support on the voters' list - not the school your children attend. English public is the default (Clarington has its own English boards, listed below). Candidate lists for each trustee area are on your municipality's candidate page above. To change your school support for this election, ask your municipal clerk for an Application to Amend the Voters' List before you vote; you cannot change it when you arrive to vote. To change your permanent school support, contact MPAC.
English public
Durham District School Board (DDSB)
The default. Everyone votes for this board unless they qualify for, and support, another one. Not Clarington: see below.
Board election informationEnglish Catholic
Durham Catholic District School Board (DCDSB)
You must be Roman Catholic and a separate school supporter (or the spouse of one). Not Clarington: see below.
Board election informationEnglish public (Clarington)
Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board (KPRDSB)
The English public board for Clarington residents, where it is the default. Trustees for Clarington are listed on the Municipality's pages.
Board election informationEnglish Catholic (Clarington)
Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board (PVNCCDSB)
The English Catholic board for Clarington residents, who must be Roman Catholic and separate school supporters (or the spouse of one).
Board election informationFrench public
Conseil scolaire Viamonde (Viamonde)
You must be a French-language rights holder and a supporter of the board (or the spouse of one).
Board election informationFrench Catholic
Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir (MonAvenir)
You must be Roman Catholic, a French-language rights holder, and a supporter of the board (or the spouse of one).
Board election informationAll-Candidates Meetings and Debates
Publicly announced 2026 events, confirmed on the organizer's page or in local news. Not every meeting is listed: also check your municipality's election page and local news.
No upcoming all-candidates meetings are confirmed right now. Check your municipality's official election page and local news.
Durham Region Election 2026: FAQ
Answers are maintained on a best-effort basis, with no guarantees, and are based on official municipal and provincial sources. Please verify them with your municipality before you vote.
When is the 2026 municipal election in Durham Region?
Voting day is Monday, October 26, 2026. Every Ontario municipality votes on the fourth Monday in October. Most Durham Region municipalities open voting earlier: online voting starts October 13 in Oshawa and Uxbridge, October 14 in Scugog, October 17 in Brock, October 19 in Ajax and Pickering, and October 20 in Clarington. Whitby's advance polls run October 22 to 25.
Can I vote online in the 2026 Durham Region municipal election?
In most municipalities, but the rules differ. Ajax, Brock, Clarington, Oshawa, Pickering, Scugog and Uxbridge offer online voting, and Ajax, Brock and Clarington also offer telephone voting. Online voting closes at 8 p.m. on October 26, and you need the credentials in your Voter Information Letter (in Oshawa, you first register with the letter to get a PIN by email or text). Whitby's pages describe paper voting at advance polls and on voting day, plus a special mail-in ballot by application.
Where do I vote in person in Whitby, Scugog, Pickering or Oshawa?
Whitby has advance voting October 22 to 25 (10 a.m. to 7 p.m.) at one of three locations, and 19 voting locations on October 26 (10 a.m. to 8 p.m.). Scugog has advance polls October 16 to 22 and four locations on October 26 (10 a.m. to 8 p.m.). Pickering has paper ballots on October 26 only (10 a.m. to 8 p.m.), at any of five voting locations. Oshawa has paper ballots on October 26 only (10 a.m. to 8 p.m.), at a Voter Assistance Centre in your ward. Ajax, Brock, Clarington and Uxbridge have assistance centres for help, not separate polling places.
How do I check if I am on the voters' list?
Use your municipality's online voter tool or clerk, linked for each municipality on this page. Registering through Elections Ontario's RegisterToVoteON.ca closed on August 12, 2026. Since September 1, changes go through your municipal clerk, and each municipality's deadline is different: Whitby's online update closes at 4:30 p.m. on October 23, Pickering's at 4 p.m. on October 23, and Ajax lets you amend the list at Town Hall until 8 p.m. on October 26.
What ID do I need to vote in an Ontario municipal election?
One document showing your name and address, such as an Ontario driver's licence, a utility bill, a bank statement or a lease. Photo ID is not required. A Canadian passport does not count on its own because it has no printed address. Online and telephone voting use the credentials in your Voter Information Letter, but you need ID to vote in person, to get a ballot on demand, or to add yourself to the list.
Who can vote in the Durham Region municipal election?
You can vote if you are a Canadian citizen, at least 18 on voting day, and live in the municipality, or own or rent property there (or are the spouse of someone who does). Commercial property owners and tenants can vote for council but not for school board trustees.
Is the Durham Regional Chair on the ballot in 2026?
No. The Region of Durham says the Better Regional Governance Act, 2026 changes how the Regional Chair is selected, from being elected by residents to being appointed by the province, so the Office of Regional Chair is not on the 2026 ballot. Regional Councillors are still elected, in your own municipality, and sit on both your local council and Durham Regional Council.
Which school board trustee do I vote for?
It depends on your school support on the voters' list, not on where your children go to school. The default is the Durham District School Board (in Clarington, the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board). To vote for a Catholic board or a French-language board (Viamonde or MonAvenir) you must qualify for and support that board. MPAC manages school support designations.
Sources: each municipality's official election page (linked above), the Province of Ontario's 2026 voters' guide, and the Municipal Elections Act, 1996. Durham Happening is an independent events site and is not affiliated with any municipality, school board or campaign.
Stay in the loop this fall
Get a short, curated round-up of Durham Region events delivered to your inbox every week.