• Election Day for Ontario municipalities is set for October 26.
  • Prospective candidates in Stouffville can file nomination forms from May 1 until August 21, 2026.
  • The Town’s new internet voting option will open on October 17 and remain available until polls close on Election Day.
  • Staff are now working to procure vote tabulators and an internet voting platform.
  • Advance voting will be offered at five in-person polling stations on October 17, 21, and 24.
  • An Advance Vote Week will also take place at the Town’s Municipal Offices building from October 19 to 23.

 

With less than a year until Stouffville voters return to the polls, the Town has begun the detailed work required to deliver a smooth and secure 2026 municipal election. The preparation comes as elected officials and prospective candidates across the province ready their own shift into election mode ahead of the October 26 vote.

Council authorized a hybrid model last year, approving both online voting and traditional paper ballots counted by automatic tabulators. During a June 26 Council meeting, Ward 1 Councillor Hugo Kroon emphasized the importance of driving voter participation while ensuring a safe and secure election.

Voter turnout plummeted in 2022, dropping nearly 30 percent over the previous election. Of the 35,170 registered electors, only 12,023 cast a ballot, resulting in a turnout of just 34.19 percent. “Although [voter participation] was trending upward…we dropped off sharply the last time around,” Kroon said. “That’s very, very concerning for me, and it should be for all of us.”

At the time, Council heard that the platform would include a multi-step voter authentication process. Voter Information Packages will be provided to residents with instructions and a personalized pin, which will need to be verified alongside other identifying information in order to access a ballot. Town Staff also noted that several Ontario municipalities had already adopted similar systems, offering a tested model for Stouffville’s launch.

Staff are now coordinating procurement of vote tabulation equipment and an internet voting platform, according to a recent report, with an emphasis on reliability, accessibility, security, and strict compliance with Provincial regulations. Once vendors are in place, the Town will move into testing and training.

Online voting will begin October 17 and remain open until polls close at 8 p.m. on Election Day. Five in-person voting sites will operate across the community: 6240 Main Street, the Leisure Centre, the Town’s Municipal Offices building, the Whitchurch-Stouffville Museum, and the Ballantrae Community Centre.

In-person advance voting will be offered at all five polling locations on October 17, 21, and 24. A dedicated Advance Vote Week at the Municipal Offices will also take place from October 19 to 23, providing a convenient early window to cast a ballot.

For those considering a run for office, the path opens in the spring. The nomination period begins May 1 and ends August 21, giving prospective candidates an abundance of time to consider their candidacy, file the necessary paperwork, and prepare their campaigns

Nominees will be certified by the Town Clerk on August 24, confirming who will officially appear on the 2026 ballot. Those elected on October 26 will begin the new Council term on November 15, with training offered for representatives to facilitate their transition into office.

As is required by Ontario’s Municipal Elections Act, Stouffville will need to assemble a new Compliance Audit Committee by October 1. The oversight body handles requests from residents who believe a candidate or third party has violated campaign finance rules.

The committee has been a subject of past reporting due to its role in investigating and escalating 2022 campaign finance violations related to former Mayor Justin Altmann.