Nomination period for Burlington’s 2026 municipal election opens May 1

The nomination period for individuals who would like to run as a candidate in Burlington’s 2026 municipal election opens at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, May 1 and runs until 2 p.m. on Aug. 21, 2026.

In order to run, a candidate must be a Canadian citizen, at least 18 years old, and live in Burlington (own or rent), or they or their spouse own or rent property in the city.

Starting May 1, nominations will be accepted for:

• Mayor*
• Councillors* (one per ward)
• Trustees, Halton District School Board (4 total)
  • 1 from wards 1 and 2
  • 1 from wards 3 and 6
  • 1 from ward 4
  • 1 from ward 5
• Trustees, Halton Catholic District School Board (3 total)

• • 1 from wards 1 and 2
  • 1 from wards 3 and 6
  • 1 from wards 4 and 5

*The Mayor and City Councillors also sit on Halton Regional Council.

Nomination papers can be filed by appointment only at City Hall at 426 Brant St., with the Office of the City Clerk during regular business hours (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.). Please call 905-335-7777, ext. 7805 or email clerks@burlington.ca to arrange a time.

On the last day of the nomination period, Aug. 21, 2026, nominations may be filed between the hours of 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Candidates must not begin campaigning until their nomination papers are filed.

Voting for the election takes place between Oct. 14 – 26, 2026.

Filing a nomination

Nomination forms are available online at myvoteburlington.ca. The following must be provided at the time of submitting a nomination:>

• Nomination paper (Form 1)
• Endorsement of nomination (Form 2) – required for nominations for an office on council only. A nomination for an office on council must be endorsed by at least 25 people. A prescribed declaration is required by each of the people endorsing a nomination.
• Filing fee – in cash, certified cheque, money order (payable to the City of Burlington), MasterCard or VISA. The fee for the office of mayor is $200 and $100 for all other offices.
• Candidate identification - driver’s license or another government-issued photo identification.
• Proof of citizenship - Canadian passport, citizenship, or another government-issued identification.

Also starting May 1, nominations open for the offices of:

• Regional Chair** (nominations to be filed with Halton Region)
• Trustee, Conseil scolaire Viamonde (nominations to be filed with the City of Hamilton)
• Trustee, Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir (nominations to be filed with the Town of Oakville).

**If passed, the proposed Better Regional Governance Act, 2026, will change the Halton Regional Chair to a provincially appointed position. Burlington’s election website will be updated if and when the Act receives Royal Assent.