Nominations for the 2026 municipal election in Belleville open Friday, May 1

Residents interested in shaping the future of their community are invited to put their names forward, as nominations will open this Friday, May 1, for the 2026 City of Belleville municipal election, with voting day set for Oct. 26. 

Qualified individuals can run for the offices of Mayor (1), City Councillor (8) or School Board Trustee (6). Nominations must be filed in person at City Hall and will be accepted until the close of the nomination period at 2 p.m. on Aug. 21, 2026. We encourage you to make an appointment to ensure the appropriate election staff are available as filing can take up to an hour. 

Candidates must meet eligibility requirements under the Municipal Elections Act. Nomination and endorsement forms, along with additional election information, are available on the first floor of City Hall (clerk’s counter) or at Belleville.ca/Election. 

The City Clerk’s Office is available to support candidates throughout the nomination process—those with questions about filing requirements are encouraged to contact BellevilleVotes@belleville.ca.   

Serving on Council provides an opportunity to represent the community, contribute to local decision-making and help guide the delivery of programs and services that impact residents every day. 

“Running for municipal office is a big step, and our team is here to support candidates throughout the process,” said Doug Irwin, City Clerk. “We encourage anyone interested to start early, review the requirements and reach out to the Clerk’s Office with any questions.” 

The 2026 municipal election will be conducted using internet and telephone voting. Paper ballots will be available at designated Voter Assistance Centres in advance of Election Day. On Election Day, Oct. 26, votes may only be cast by internet or telephone. 

The City welcomes candidates from all backgrounds and experiences and encourages those interested to review the election webpage.  

Learn more: Belleville.ca/Election