Toronto voters will begin heading to the polls on Tuesday, October 6, as advance voting opens for the city’s 2026 municipal election, giving residents an opportunity to choose their local representatives before election day.
Advance polls will operate for six consecutive days, ending Sunday, October 11, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Those who prefer to vote on election day, Monday, October 26, can cast their ballots between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Voters will elect Toronto’s mayor, city councillors and, where eligible, school board trustees. The election will determine who represents residents at City Hall and on local school boards for the next municipal term.
Toronto Elections has arranged 50 advance voting locations, with two in each of the city’s 25 wards. More than 1,350 locations are planned for election day, serving approximately 2.14 million eligible voters, according to the city’s election fact sheet.
The six-day advance voting period offers an alternative for residents whose work schedules, family responsibilities or travel plans could make voting on October 26 difficult.
Before heading out, voters can use the city’s MyVote tool to confirm where and when to vote, review the candidates in their ward, see a sample ballot and download or print a digital voter information card. The tool also provides accessibility information about voting locations. Election-day locations are assigned according to each voter’s qualifying address.
To be eligible, a person must be a Canadian citizen, at least 18 years old and either live in Toronto or qualify through property they or their spouse own or rent in the city. They must also not be prohibited from voting under the law. Separate eligibility requirements apply to school board elections.
Voters must bring identification showing their name and qualifying Toronto address. Being on the voters’ list does not remove the identification requirement. Residents should check the city’s accepted identification options before visiting their voting location.
The deadline to add or update voters’ list information online is Sunday, October 11, at 7 p.m. Checking details ahead of time is particularly useful for anyone who has moved or changed their name since the previous municipal election.
Eligible voters who are not on the list can still register in person during advance voting or on election day. Those who do not receive a mailed voter information card can download a digital version through MyVote if they are registered.
For residents who already requested mail-in voting, completed packages must be received by Toronto Elections by noon on Wednesday, October 14. They can be returned through Canada Post using the prepaid envelope or deposited in an official Toronto Elections drop box. The September 24 deadline to request a mail-in package has passed.
Another option is proxy voting, which allows a voter who cannot attend to appoint another eligible Toronto voter to cast a ballot on their behalf. The required appointment form must be certified by the City Clerk by 4:30 p.m. on October 26.
Families visiting advance polls on October 10 and 11 can also take part in Kids Vote Weekend. The separate children’s activity invites young participants to choose Toronto’s 2027 Tree of the Year, offering an introduction to voting alongside the municipal election.
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