Election Information
2026 Municipal Elections
In these elections, the voters of Richmond Hill will elect a Mayor, up to two Regional Councillors, a local Councillor and School Board Trustees.
Online Voting
Online voting will take place from Tuesday, October 20, 2026 at 10 a.m. to Voting Day, Monday, October 26, 2026 at 8 p.m.
In-Person Voting
In-person voting by paper ballot and vote tabulators will take place on:
- Saturday, October 24 and Sunday, October 25, 2026, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Monday, October 26, 2026,10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Nominations
Nominations will be accepted starting Friday, May 1, 2026 at 8:30 a.m.
The deadline for nominations is Friday, August 21, 2026 at 2 p.m.
Election Resources
The following information relates to elections in the City of Richmond Hill, including by-laws, legislation, policies and procedures. Please note that these resources do not apply to provincial or federal elections.
| General Information for Candidates and Third Parties |
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2026 Candidates' Guide - Ontario Municipal Council and School Board Elections prepared by the Province 2026 Third-Party Advertiser's Guide - Ontario Municipal Council and School Board Elections prepared by the Province Lead Where You Live - A Guide to Running for Municipal Council prepared by the Association of Municipalities of Ontario |
| Election Sign Information |
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All candidate and third party advertisers are required to complete the Election Sign Application that can be found on The City of Richmond Hill Permit Application Page and pay the associated fee of $308 prior to erecting or displaying any election-related signage. Election Signs for the 2026 Municipal Elections may be installed as of 12:01 a.m. on Monday, September 28, 2026 and must be removed by 12:01 a.m. on Friday, October 30, 2026 (within 72 hours immediately following the day of the election). Election signage must comply with the City's sign by-law and applicable York Region by-laws. City of Richmond Hill’s Sign By-law 52-09, as amended. |
| Policies and Procedures |
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Click the hyperlinks below to view the policies and procedures related to the 2026 Municipal Elections. Use of Corporate Resources for Election Campaign Purposes Policy |
| By-laws |
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On June 9, 2021, Council of the City of Richmond Hill passed By-law 74-21 authorizing the use of optical scan tabulators for use with paper ballots. On February 23, 2022, Council of the City of Richmond Hill passed By-law 39-22 authorizing the use of internet voting in addition to voting using paper ballots and tabulators. |
| Legislation |
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Municipal elections are governed primarily by the Municipal Elections Act, 1996. Regulations under the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 also govern municipal elections, including:
Once elected, Council derives its authority from the Municipal Act, 2001. School Board Trustees operate within the framework of the Education Act, R.S.O. 1990, which also establishes eligibility to run for and serve in trustee offices. |
| Accessibility |
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The City of Richmond Hill conducts elections in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, and the City's Accessibility Policies and Procedures. For more information, visit our Accessibility page. View the link below to access the 2026 Municipal Elections Accessibility Plan. |
| Provincial Authorities |
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Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH)
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