Find your ward, compare candidates, and understand what your vote actually controls.
Municipal elections are about the everyday decisions closest to home: streets, parks, housing, taxes, growth, and local services. See how Richmond Hill’s role fits with York Region, Ontario, and Canada. Who’s responsible for what? →
Click to see ward boundaries and candidate list
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October 2026 Election Calendar
Key voting dates for Richmond Hill residents
Compare Candidate Policies
Your Municipal Election Cheat Sheet
Wait, We’re Voting for What Exactly?
Every four years, Richmond Hill residents have the opportunity to shape the future of their community in the most direct way possible — by choosing the people who will lead it. The 2026 municipal and school board trustee elections are your chance to do exactly that, and this page is your complete guide to everything you need to know before you vote.
Why should I care? (Great Question, Glad You Asked)
Local elections may not have the spectacle of a federal campaign, but their impact is felt every single day — in the condition of the roads you drive, the parks your children play in, the zoning decisions that shape your neighbourhood, and the school boards that guide your child’s education. This is governance at its most immediate, and your vote here carries real weight.
The Mayor: More Than a Ribbon-Cutter
At the head of Richmond Hill’s local government sits the Mayor — a directly elected leader who serves as the city’s chief spokesperson, chairs council meetings, and plays a central role in setting the municipality’s strategic direction. The Mayor’s influence shapes everything from budget priorities to how the city engages with provincial and federal partners.
Your Councillor: The Person Between Your Pothole and a Fix
Alongside the Mayor, City Councillors represent the individual wards that make up Richmond Hill, bringing the concerns of their specific communities directly into the council chamber. They debate and vote on bylaws, budgets, development applications, and a wide range of policies that affect daily life. Knowing your ward — and knowing who is asking for your trust to represent it — is one of the most important things you can do as a local resident.
Beyond the Bake Sale: What School Trustees Really Do
School Board Trustees, meanwhile, are the elected voices of parents and community members within each school board. They oversee policy, budgets, and the overall direction of publicly funded education in your area, whether that’s the York Region District School Board, the York Catholic District School Board, Conseil scolaire Viamonde, or Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir. Their decisions touch classrooms directly.
So, Can You Vote? (Spoiler: Probably Yes)
If you’re a Canadian citizen, at least 18 years old by October 26, 2026, and you live in Richmond Hill — or you own or rent property here, or your spouse does — congratulations, you’re in. You don’t need to do anything fancy to qualify; you just need to be on the Voters’ List. The good news is that voting day is Monday, October 26, 2026, and voters will have the option of voting online or in person, so there’s really no excuse. The only people who can’t vote are those serving a prison sentence, corporations (yes, that had to be clarified), and anyone convicted of a corrupt practice — so as long as none of those apply to you, you’re good to go. Learn more here.
Who’s responsible for what?
🔴 Federal
Immigration
Refugees
Citizenship
National defence Criminal law
🔵 Provincial
Health care
Hospitals
Schools
Highways
Housing legislation Transit megaprojects
🔵 York Region
York Region Transit Public health
Water and wastewater
Regional roads Police
🟢 Richmond Hill
Zoning
Development approvals
Parks
Libraries
Recreation
Local roads
Traffic calming
Bike lanes
Snow clearing
Fire services
HOW TO VOTE
Voting in Richmond Hill municipal elections is usually available both online and in person. Before voting, residents should make sure they are on the voters’ list, that their information is correct, and that they have accepted ID showing their name and Richmond Hill address. Each voter chooses candidates for the offices they are eligible to vote for, including Mayor, Regional and Local Councillors, Ward Councillor, and School Board Trustee. The City will publish official voting days, online voting instructions, voter information letters, ID requirements, and help options closer to the election.
HOW TO RUN
Thinking of running in Richmond Hill’s 2026 municipal election? Candidates can run for Mayor, Regional and Local Councillor, Ward Councillor, or School Board Trustee. Nominations opened on Friday, May 1, 2026 and close at 2 p.m. on Friday, August 21, 2026. To run for Richmond Hill Council, you must be a Canadian citizen, at least 18 years old, and either live in Richmond Hill, own or rent property in Richmond Hill, or be the spouse of someone who does. You must also not be legally prohibited from voting or disqualified from holding municipal office.
To file, candidates must make an appointment with the Office of the City Clerk at Richmond Hill’s Municipal Offices, 225 East Beaver Creek Road. Walk-ins are allowed, but the City recommends booking ahead by emailing candidates@richmondhill.ca. Candidates must file their nomination in person, bring the required forms, show current photo identification, and pay the filing fee: $200 for Mayor and $100 for all other offices. Council candidates must also submit at least 25 endorsements from eligible Richmond Hill voters. Candidates cannot raise or spend money on their campaign until after their nomination paper has been filed.
Candidates are responsible for following the Municipal Elections Act and should not rely only on City-provided information for legal compliance.
Disclaimer & Methodology: Strong Richmond Hill is a resident-led advocacy group, not affiliated with any candidate, campaign, political party, developer, or government office. Our election coverage is created for Richmond Hill residents who want clear, useful information before they vote. Candidate pages are based on publicly available information, candidate-submitted material, official election sources where available, and direct survey responses. We aim to present candidates fairly, distinguish facts from opinion, and update the information as new details become available. If something is missing or incorrect, we welcome corrections.