• The final list of candidates has been certified ahead of Stouffville’s Oct. 21 municipal election.
  • Mayor Iain Lovatt was acclaimed after no challenger entered the mayoral race.
  • Ward 2 has the only open council race, with five candidates competing for the seat being vacated by Councillor Maurice Smith.
  • Ward 4 has the largest field, with seven candidates seeking the seat currently held by Councillor Rick Upton.
  • Both the York Region District School Board and York Catholic District School Board trustee races will feature new representatives.
  • Stouffville is introducing municipal internet voting and a Vote Anywhere model for the 2026 election.

 

Stouffville’s 2026 municipal election is now set, with the Town Clerk certifying the final list of candidates ahead of the Oct. 21 election.

The deadline to file nomination papers was Friday, Aug. 21, at 2 p.m., and no challenger came forward to run against Mayor Iain Lovatt. He joins Newmarket’s John Taylor as the only acclaimed mayors in York Region and will serve a third consecutive term.

In Ward 1, Michael Cleverdon has once again put his name forward to challenge Councillor Hugo Kroon. Kroon secured 57 percent of the vote in 2022, with Cleverdon finishing second with 25 percent.

Ward 2 is the only race without an incumbent, following Councillor Maurice Smith’s decision to retire. Smith was first elected in 2014, and Council plans to recognize his retirement and service later this year.

George Karpouzis, who lost to Smith by just 133 votes in the last election, is running again. He will face four new candidates: Terri Drover, Adam Hassan, Rocco Priore, and Jared Simpson.

In Ward 3, Councillor Keith Acton is seeking another term after being elected to Council for the first time in 2022. He will face Bryan Stott, who last ran for Council in Ward 6 in 2018, and hopeful Robert Gingerich.

Ward 4 features the largest field, with seven candidates vying for the seat currently held by Councillor Rick Upton. The race has seen added attention following 2025 harassment findings against Upton by the Town’s Integrity Commissioner.

Returning candidates include Rob Hargrave, who was first elected as Ward 6 councillor in 2003 and served until 2018, along with James Liaros and Brad Valentini, both of whom have previously campaigned for the Ward 4 seat. Aspirants Erik Gordon, David Parmer, and Courtney Taylor further add to the ballot.

Ward 5 will see Councillor Richard Bartley again face Laura Cusack, who ran against the incumbent in 2022. Bartley defeated Cusack with nearly 59 percent of the vote four years ago, but first-time candidate Shawn McGovern has joined them on the 2026 campaign trail.

Councillor Sue Sherban is seeking re-election in Ward 6. Her name arrived late amidst speculation that a mayoral run was being considered. She will face returning challenger Angel Freeman and newcomer Greg Smith.

The York Region District School Board trustee race will be an open contest, with current Stouffville trustee Melanie Wright not seeking re-election. Bill Radia, Emma Sears, and Bruce Yu are running for the position.

At the York Catholic District School Board, local trustee Elizabeth Crowe is also stepping aside, leaving a two-way race between Brandan James Cescolini and Eduardo Juarez.

Hanane Jaouich-Diakité was acclaimed as Stouffville’s trustee for Conseil scolaire Viamonde, the area’s French-language public school board. Christella Basosila Lome and Ibrahim M. Elias are running for trustee at Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir, the French-language Catholic school board.

Low voter turnout has been a recurring concern in recent local elections, but Stouffville is introducing municipal internet voting for the first time this year. More information will be provided to registered voters in their mailed Voter Information Letters. Voters who are unsure whether they are on the municipal voters list can learn how to check via the Town’s website.

Stouffville has also compiled candidate and election information at stouffvillevotes.ca, including campaign contact information and candidate websites. Advance voting dates and polling locations are also available.

While the Town has slightly reduced the number of in-person polling places for the 2026 election, it is implementing a Vote Anywhere model. Voters wishing to use a traditional ballot will be able to attend any polling place within the municipality, regardless of the ward in which they live.

 

Cover image taken by Arnaud Jaegers