Your city. Your voice. Your vote on October 26.
The 2026 municipal and school board election is your opportunity to help shape the future of Kitchener. The decisions made by local elected officials affect everyday services, including roads, parks, community programs, Kitchener Fire Department, property taxes and more.
Take a few minutes today to make sure you're ready to vote on October 26, 2026.
Four steps to get ready to vote
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You must be a Canadian citizen, at least 18 years old on October 26, 2026, and live in Kitchener, own or rent property in Kitchener, or be the spouse of an owner or tenant. Eligible voters must also not be prohibited from voting.
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Check that you're on the voter list and that your name, address and school board information are up to date.
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If you need to update your information, you can do this at City Hall, or you can also update your voter information at a voting location during advance voting or on Election Day. Allow extra time if you choose to amend/add yourself to the voters list when you go to vote..
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Not on the voters list? You can still vote if you're eligible. Bring identification showing your name and current address.
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Review the list of candidates and do your research to learn where they stand on the issues that matter most to you.
The City of Kitchener is providing a range of vote opportunities to remove barriers for residents so they can practice their democratic rights safely and easily.
In-person voting during advance voting or on voting day
The City is committed to making voting accessible for everyone.
During Advance voting, Kitchener voters can “vote anywhere” at a number of facilities across the city including two Shop and Vote locations, the Kitchener Market and Fairview Park Mall. We’re taking the vote to where people are.
On voting day we provide accessible voting locations in every ward, offer different voting options and supply accessibility tools at voting locations. Voters may also bring their own devices to help mark their ballot. Learn more below about how we make voting accessible during municipal elections.
Drive-thru voting
Kitchener voters looking for a convenient and accessible new voting method are encouraged to try drive thru voting.
Kitchener voters will remain in their vehicles until prompted to drive into the tent location. After turning off their vehicles, an election official will conduct the voting service at the vehicle window(s). Electors will be given a ballot in a privacy screen so that other people that may be in the vehicle cannot see their selections. Marked ballots will be collected back through the window(s) and cast into the tabulator. Once cast, the vehicle will exit the tent location.
Drive thru voting operates like the COVID-vaccination drive thru process.
It’s a convenient method for electors that may have mobility challenges, limits exposure for individuals who may have health considerations, and reduces the need to unbuckle and remove young children and seniors.
The dates and times that drive thru is being offered can be found on the Where to vote page.
Home voting for eligible residents
Kitchener voters who cannot leave their homes due to illness, injury or disability may request a home vote visit where election workers will bring a ballot to them. The voter's caregiver(s) who are eligible voters may also vote during the home visit. Home votes will only take place within the boundaries of the City of Kitchener.
Home voting will be available for a limited number of appointments, between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on weekdays from Thursday, October 8 until Tuesday, October 20 (not including Thanksgiving, Monday, October 12).
Requests for home visits will be accepted starting on September 28.
Request a Home Voting appointment
You can request a home visit by;
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calling 519-741-2203,
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TTY at 1-866-969-9994, or
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email at election@kitchener.ca.
Voters are encouraged to book their own appointment as soon as possible.
The deadline to request a home voting appointment is at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, October 19, 2026.
Proxy voting
If Kitchener voters are away for all the Advance Voting or Voting Day locations, they may appoint another eligible voter as a proxy to vote on their behalf. To appoint a voting proxy, the voter and their proxy must complete two copies with original signatures of the Appointment for Voting Proxy form.
The voter being appointed as a proxy must then book an appointment at Kitchener City Hall. They must bring with them the two completed forms, their own ID, and a copy of ID for the voter who is appointing them that proves the voter’s residency and signature.
Accessibility
Voters requiring assistance can take advantage of a number of accessibility enhancements including; accessible ballot marking devices at advance and designated election day locations, magnifying sheets, translation through the city’s multi-language service interpretation service and support from service animals and support persons.
View the City’s Election Accessibility Plan for more details including other initiatives designed to make elections accessible.
Visit KitchenerVotes.ca for everything you need to know about voter eligibility, candidate information, voting options and locations and accessibility planning.
Make your mark. Local matters.
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.