Toronto Opens Candidate Nominations for 2026 Municipal Election
Candidate nominations and third party advertiser registrations are now underway for the 2026 Toronto municipal election
TORONTO — Candidate nominations officially open Friday for Toronto’s 2026 municipal election, launching the campaign period for candidates seeking to run for mayor, city council and school board trustee positions across the city.
The City of Toronto announced that nominations will open at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, May 1 and remain open until Friday, August 21 at 2 p.m. Election day is scheduled for Monday, October 26, 2026.
Positions Open for Nomination
Eligible candidates can file nomination papers for the following offices:
- Mayor
- City Councillor
- Trustee for the Toronto District School Board
- Trustee for the Toronto Catholic District School Board
- Trustee for the Conseil scolaire Viamonde
- Trustee for the Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir
Candidates must file nominations in person at the Toronto Elections office located inside Toronto City Hall at 100 Queen St. W.
Candidate nominations and third party advertiser registration for the 2026 municipal election are now open.
Starting today, until August 21, people interested in becoming a candidate to run for the office of mayor, councillor or school trustee can file their nominations at the… pic.twitter.com/iQv3MTmTkT
— City of Toronto 🇨🇦 (@cityoftoronto) May 1, 2026
Requirements for Candidates
To complete the nomination process, candidates must:
- Submit nomination papers with original signatures
- Provide valid identification showing name, signature and qualifying Toronto or school board address
- Pay the required filing fee
- Submit at least 25 voter endorsements with original signatures when running for mayor or councillor positions
Filing fees are set at:
- $200 for mayoral candidates
- $100 for councillor and school board trustee candidates
The City also noted that candidates cannot raise or spend campaign funds until nomination papers are officially filed.
Third Party Advertiser Registration Also Opens
The City confirmed that registration for third party advertisers also begins Friday.
Under Ontario’s Municipal Elections Act, corporations, trade unions and individuals intending to spend money promoting or opposing candidates must register with Toronto Elections before advertising or accepting contributions.
Third party advertiser registrations will remain open until Friday, October 23.
Election Preparations Underway
Toronto Elections has launched an online appointment booking system for candidates filing nominations to help reduce wait times and crowding at City Hall.
As nominations are filed, uncertified candidate names will be posted publicly on the Toronto Elections website. The final certified list of candidates will be confirmed after nominations close in August.
The 2026 municipal election comes as Toronto prepares for a busy year that also includes hosting matches during FIFA World Cup 2026™, with city officials already planning operational and civic initiatives tied to the global event.
More information about candidate nominations, voter eligibility and third party advertising rules is available through Toronto Elections.
Stay with GTA Today for continuing coverage of the 2026 Toronto municipal election and local civic affairs across the Greater Toronto Area.
