Municipal council and school board elections will take place on Monday, October 26, 2026.
Key Dates — 2026 School Board Elections
| Nomination and Campaign Period Begins | May 1, 2026 |
| Nomination Day (Last Day to be Nominated) | August 21, 2026 |
| Final Day for Withdrawal of Candidacy | August 21, 2026 |
| Voting Day | October 26, 2026 |
| School Board Term of Office Begins* | November 15, 2026 |
| Campaign Period Ends | December 31, 2026 |
| Financial Filing Deadline | March 30, 2027 |
| School Board Term of Office Ends | November 14, 2030 |
* A newly elected trustee does not officially take office until the board’s inaugural/organizational meeting (within seven days of November 15, 2026) and a trustee swears a declaration as prescribed in the Education Act.
Eligibility
A person who wishes to become a school board trustee and run for election must be a resident of the school board district’s jurisdiction and meet the following requirements:
- a supporter* of the board;
- a Canadian citizen;
- at least 18 years old; Roman Catholic (if running for a Catholic school board);
- not legally prohibited from voting;
- and not disqualified by any legislation from holding school board office.
(*” Supporter” refers to the individual’s support for one of the four publicly funded school systems. A list of supporters for each system is kept by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation.)
Notes:
- A candidate, if nominated, must remain qualified throughout the election and, if elected, throughout the term of office. The term of office is four years. School board candidates should confirm that they have the qualifications described here and in section 219 of the Education Act. It is the responsibility of the candidate to determine whether they are qualified to be elected to and hold office.
- An employee of a school board who wishes to run for trustee must take an unpaid leave of absence prior to being nominated. If elected, the employee must resign. A person may not be employed by one school board and hold office on a different school board. A clerk, treasurer, deputy clerk, or deputy treasurer of a municipality wishing to run for office on a school board must also take unpaid leave prior to being nominated and resign if elected. An employer is required to grant a leave of absence.
Be sure to check with your local municipal clerk for the full nomination details and process.
School Board Reminders
| Policy, Regulation, or Legislation | Reference |
| Municipalities and school boards are required to establish policies before May 1, 2026, regarding the use of municipal or board resources during a campaign. | Municipal Elections Act, Section 88.18 |
| Councils and boards may establish policies by May 1, 2026, setting out additional conditions for an automatic recount. | Municipal Elections Act, Sections 56(4) and (5) |
| Every council and school board must establish a compliance audit committee by October 1, 2026 | Municipal Elections Act, Section 88.37 |
| For the trustee term of office commencing in 2026, every school board must establish an honorarium policy** for board members on or before October 15, 2026 | Ontario Regulation 357/06 Honoraria for Board Members |
** Bill 101, Putting Student Achievement First Act allows for changes to trustee honoraria. OPSBA is waiting for a regulatory proposal to be posted that will outline final requirements of an honorarium policy.
OPSBA Resources
- 2026 Making a Difference for Kids Running for Election as a School Board Trustee: A Guide for Candidates and Communities
- Promotional Poster
- Trustee Activities and Actions During the Municipal Campaign Period
- OPSBA Submission to the 2026-27 Pre-Budget Consultation
- OPSBA Advocacy Days – Resources and Briefs
- OESC’s Good Governance for School Boards: Trustee Professional Development Program
Partner Links and Resources
OPSBA continues to work alongside provincial and sector partners to help ensure trustees, candidates, and school boards have access to timely, accurate, and practical election information in advance of the 2026 school board elections.
The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO)
- If You Believe, They Believe – encouraging Ontarians to run for municipal office and get involved in their communities
- Lead Where You Live election resource
- Lead with Respect Handguides
The Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario (AMCTO)
- AMCTO 2025-2027 Municipal Elections Calendar: Municipal Elections Calendar
The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MAH)
- the 2026 Voters’ Guide
- the 2026 Candidates Guide
- the 2026 Guide for Third Party Advertisers
- Municipal Election Basics 101 – OPSBA Presentation June 2026
Elections Ontario
- Elections Ontario’s Voter Registration service to confirm, update, or add information for provincial and local elections in Ontario
- Ontario Register of Future Voters – for eligible 16- and 17-year-olds
Equal Voice
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The Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC)
- MPAC’s Online School Support Tool to update school support information. MPAC remains responsible for collecting information about school support.