October 26, 2026

2026 Municipal Election

Discover official resources for voters and candidates, all in one place.

Welcome to the Muskoka Lakes Election Hub

Voter Information

The voting period will take place from Wednesday, October 14 at 10:00 a.m. EST to Monday, October 26 at 8:00 p.m. EST via Internet and Telephone voting. The link and phone number will be available on this webpage as soon as voting opens. 

Register to Vote

Are you registered to vote with Elections Ontario?

Access the online tool here to update your information for both municipal and provincial elections. 

Deadline to update online: Wednesday, August 12

*A new tab will open to registertovoteon.ca

Voter Eligibility

There are three ways that can qualify you to vote in a municipality:

  1. A Resident Elector 
  2. A non-resident elector 
  3. A spouse of a non-resident elector

Click here for more voter information.

Find My Ward

Locate your ward and review the candidates eligible for your ballot.

*A new tab will open to muskoka.maps.arcgis.com

Identification

Click here for the list of accepted ID for voting. 

School Support Designation

Designate the school board you would like to vote for. 

If updating, confirm with MPAC before June 1, 2026.

2026 Voters Guide

Source: Province of Ontario

Click here to download.

Candidate Information

Nominations open on May 1, and close August 21 at 2:00 p.m. EST. 

To confirm nomination, candidates must: 

    1. Complete all documents found in the filing package
    2. Obtain 25 endorsement signatures prior to submission of their nomination
    3. Schedule an appointment with the Clerks department to file their nomination
    4. Pay a fee of $100 for a councillor or $200 for head of council 

Candidate Information & Eligibility

Click here to view the eligibility checklist.

Next Term of Council: November 15, 2026 - November 14, 2030

Candidate Forms & Resources

Find the filing package and helpful resources here.

Schedule an Appointment

Call 705-765-3156 or email the Clerk by clicking here.

*A new tab will open to your email. 

2026 Candidates Guide

Source: Province of Ontario

Click here to download.

List of Candidates

See mayoral candidates and councillors running in your ward. 

Third Party Advertising

What is third-party advertising?

A third-party advertiser is an individual, corporation, or trade union that wants to place advertising to support or oppose a candidate, or a “yes” or “no” response to a question on the ballot. 

Click here to learn more.

2026 Third-Party Advertisers Guide

Source: Province of Ontario

Click here to download.

How to register

Registrations must filed in person BY APPOINTMENT ONLY with the Clerk during regular business hours.

Deadline to register or withdraw: October 23, 2026

Click here to see registration steps.

Schedule an Appointment

Call 705-765-3156 or email the Clerk by clicking here.

*A new tab will open to your email. 

Discover More

2026 Election Procedures Muskoka Compliance Audit Committee Election Accessibility Plan Past Election Results

Frequently Asked Questions

Click here for more Elections FAQ

Councillors are elected using the first-past-the-post system.

Under this method, voters select one candidate for each position, and the candidate who receives the highest number of votes is elected.

In Muskoka Lakes, councillors are elected by ward. Click here to Find Your Ward. 

Municipal elections in Ontario are held every four years on the fourth Monday of October. All municipal elected officials serve a four-year term. The current term began in 2022 and will conclude in 2026.

Unlike federal or provincial elections, municipal candidates in Ontario do not run under political party affiliations. Each candidate is elected independently to represent their community at the local level.

Voting Period (October 14 - 26, 2026)

Voting will be available both online and over the telephone.

For voters without internet or telephone access, a help centre will be open at the Township of Muskoka Lakes Municipal Office (1 Bailey St., Port Carling) from Wednesday, October 14 at 10:00 a.m. until Monday, October 26 at 8:00 p.m. The help centre will be staffed for assistance and equipped with a computer for voter access. 

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

Muskoka Lakes Votes

Election News

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Contact & Support

For more information about municipal elections at the Township of Muskoka Lakes including historical election data, please contact:

Crystal Best-Sararas, Director of Legislative Services/Clerk

Telephone: 705 765-3156 Ext. 211
Fax: 705-765-6755
Email the Clerk

Cheryl Hollows, Manager of Legislative Services/Deputy Clerk 

Telephone: 705 765-3156 Ext. 212
Fax: 705-765-6755
Email the Deputy Clerk 

Township of Muskoka Lakes
1 Bailey St., P.O. Box 129,
Port Carling, ON, P0B 1J0

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