Today is Election Day in Richmond Hill, as residents choose their next mayor, regional councillors, ward councillors and school board trustees. After months of campaigning and candidate debates, voting concludes tonight at 8 p.m.
By City Desk
Online voting began October 20, followed by in-person voting on October 24. Today is the final opportunity for eligible residents who have not already voted to cast their ballots.
Unofficial reports circulating ahead of Election Day suggested that approximately 10% of eligible voters had voted online. Strong Richmond Hill has not independently verified that estimate, which does not include in-person ballots. It should not be treated as an official turnout figure.
Will more residents vote this time?
Voter participation has long been a concern in Richmond Hill. In the 2022 municipal election, 41,147 residents cast ballots, representing 31.67% of eligible voters. Approximately 83% of ballots were submitted online.
That means nearly seven in ten eligible voters did not participate in choosing the previous council. The 2026 election will offer another measure of whether convenient voting options are associated with broader participation.
Who is running?
Three candidates are competing for mayor: incumbent David West and challengers Domenic Bardari and Holo Devnani. West became mayor after a January 2022 by-election and won the regularly scheduled election later that year.
The race for two Regional and Local Councillor seats features incumbents Godwin Chan and Joe DiPaola and challenger Marco Coletta. Two candidates will be elected to serve on both Richmond Hill City Council and York Regional Council.
Voters in each of Richmond Hill’s six wards also choose their ward councillor. School board trustee positions appear on ballots where contested; York Catholic District School Board trustees Joseph Dimeo and Maria Iafrate have been acclaimed.
The new council’s term runs from November 15, 2026, to November 14, 2030.
Campaign debates — and notable absences
The Richmond Hill Board of Trade held three nights of all-candidates debates October 6, 7 and 8, providing opportunities to hear from candidates for ward council, mayor, regional council and school board.
Four of the six incumbent ward councillors did not participate, as Strong Richmond Hill reported. Incumbents Carol Davidson and Scott Thompson attended their ward debates, as did Mayor David West and Regional Councillors Godwin Chan and Joe DiPaola.
Ward 5 Councillor Karen Cilevitz had indicated that she would not attend, citing information she said she received about possible disruptions. Limited speaking times also constrained how fully candidates could discuss complex issues.
What’s at stake for Richmond Hill?
The incoming council will face decisions about municipal spending, property taxes, infrastructure maintenance and how to finance growth. Housing affordability, development, transportation choices, road safety, public safety, downtown revitalization and support for local businesses have also been subjects of public discussion.
Strong Richmond Hill’s 2026 Election Hub brings together candidate profiles and policy responses to help residents examine different positions.
How to vote today
Richmond Hill’s seven Vote Centres are open today, Monday, October 26, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eligible residents may vote at any centre in the city, regardless of ward.
In-person voters must bring identification showing their name and address. Bringing a Voter Information Package is helpful but it is not a substitute for identification.
Online voting remains available until 8 p.m. Voters need the unique PIN from their Voter Information Package and their complete date of birth. For assistance, contact the Elections Office at 905-771-5555. Consult the City’s official voter information page for instructions and locations.
When will results be available?
After voting closes at 8 p.m., election officials will process and tabulate ballots. Unofficial results are expected after the necessary processing and review; the results become official following certification by the City Clerk.
Today’s vote determines who will sit around Richmond Hill’s council table for the next four years and make decisions about the city’s finances, neighbourhoods, services and future growth.
Explore candidate profiles, policy comparisons and voting information at Strong Richmond Hill’s Election Hub.
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