Please review the Provincial Candidates Guide and the forms and supporting documents you will need when filing your nomination.
Becoming a Candidate
Candidates in the 2026 municipal election are responsible for knowing the requirements and rules stated within the Municipal Elections Act and the Province of Ontario’s Candidates Guide.
Who can run for office?
A person may be nominated for municipal office in the 2026 municipal election if, on the day the person is nominated, they are:
- a Canadian citizen
- at least 18 years old
- a resident in the City of Kitchener
- a non-resident of Kitchener and you or your spouse own or rent property in the City; and
- are not disqualified by the Municipal Act or any other Act from holding such office
To run for any of the four school boards in the City of Kitchener you must be a resident within the jurisdiction of the board and you must be eligible to vote in a school board election. On the day you file your nomination, a person must be:
- a Canadian citizen
- at least 18 years old; and
- Must meet any other qualifications to vote for the school board (for example, being a Roman Catholic or holding French language rights).
Elected offices
The following offices will be elected in the 2026 municipal election:
- City of Kitchener Mayor and Ward Councillors
- Candidates for ward councillor do not have to live or own property in the ward they are filing a nomination for.
- Regional Chair and Regional Councillors
- Trustees for the Waterloo Region District School Board (English Public)
- Trustees for the Waterloo Catholic District School Board (English Separate)
- Trustee for the Conseil scolaire Viamonde (French Public)
- Trustee for the Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir (French Separate)
Some candidate nominations are coordinated by other municipalities.
If you want to run for Regional Council, please proceed to the Region of Waterloo website.
If you want to run for Trustee of the Conseil scolaire Viamonde, please proceed to the City of London website.
The Municipal Elections Act provides that a candidate’s election campaign period for all offices begins on the day they file a nomination for the office.
Candidate cannot spend or raise money for their election until a nomination is filed.
Nominations can only be made using the prescribed form (form 1) that is signed by the person being nominated. The candidate or their agent must file nomination forms in person with our staff at City Hall during these hours:
- 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. from May 1 to August 20, 2026
- 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on August 21, 2026
Nomination filing appointments
We encourage you to book an appointment to file your nomination with staff. Your appointment will help with reviewing the required documents, establish a point of contact and makes sure the required staff are available to receive the nomination.
Nomination forms for mayor and ward councillor for the City of Kitchener must be filed in person by the candidate or by their agent. Signatures on nomination forms must be original and not photocopies or scans.
You will need to provide identification showing identity, citizenship, and residency. You must complete the following forms:
- Nomination Form
- Signatures of 25 voters supporting the nomination (mayor and councillor candidates only) on the Endorsement of Nomination Form
- Declaration of Qualifications for Municipal Candidates OR Declaration of Qualification for School Board Candidates (You are required to swear an oath at our office)
- Consent to Release Personal Information
- Authorization for Agent to File Nomination (if required)
Pay the nomination fee of $100 for trustees and ward councillor candidates and $200 for Mayoral candidates. Payment will be accepted by cash, debit, certified cheque, or money order to The City of Kitchener.
Reference materials such as the city’s candidates guide, campaign expense limits, and scrutineer appointment forms can be found on the city’s website.
A candidate for an office is only entitled to get a refund of their nomination filing fee if they submit their financial statement(s) by the required deadline.
A person may withdraw their nomination by filing a written withdrawal in person with our staff at City Hall before 2 p.m. on Friday, August 21, 2026.
Join the candidate information session
If you’re interested in running for office or learning how the election process works, you can attend an in‑person candidate information session. These sessions are hosted by area municipalities in the region and take place at the Ken Seiling Museum.
Session details
- Date: Thursday, April 23, 2026
- Time: 5:00 to 8:30 p.m.
- Location: Ken Seiling Museum
Registration is required to be able to attend, as space is limited.
In addition, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) offers free workshops throughout April and May 2026.
Additional resources
Guides:
Workshops:
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Learn more about the Association of Municipalities of Ontario’s election‑related educational workshops for municipal candidates
Land acknowledgement
The City of Kitchener is situated on the traditional territory of the Chonnonton, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee Peoples. We recognize our responsibility to act as stewards for the land and honour the original caretakers who came before us. Our community is enriched by the enduring knowledge and deep-rooted traditions of the diverse First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Peoples who live in Kitchener today.