Markham voters will elect their city council and local school board representatives this October, capping a nomination period that opened in May and closed in August.

According to a City of Markham news release, candidates and third party political advertisers were able to register for the 2026 Markham Municipal Election beginning May 1 at 9 a.m., while the window for candidates to file closed Aug. 21 at 2 p.m. Registration for third party advertisers remains open until Oct. 23 at 5 p.m.

What's on the ballot

Beyond mayor and council seats, Markham voters will choose trustees for four school boards. The City listed four York Region District School Board trustee positions, two York Catholic District School Board trustee positions, one Conseil scolaire Viamonde trustee position and one Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir trustee position.

Elections Markham, the non-partisan city division that runs municipal and school board votes, encouraged residents to consider putting their names forward. The City noted local governments and school boards deliver services residents and businesses rely on every day.

Who could run

To qualify as a candidate, a person had to be a resident, landowner or tenant of Markham or the applicable school board jurisdiction, and not legally prohibited from holding office.

Council candidates faced additional requirements before signing up. Each had to collect at least 25 original handwritten endorsement signatures from eligible Markham voters, using a form provided by Elections Markham. Candidates were also required to show identification proving their eligibility and pay a refundable registration fee.

Rules for advertisers

The rules extend beyond those seeking office. Any person, corporation or trade union planning to spend money on advertising that supports or opposes a candidate must register as a third party advertiser.

The City's release was clear that no person or entity can fundraise or spend money on the election until they have registered with Elections Markham. The registration deadline for third party advertisers is Oct. 23 at 5 p.m.

"Elections are a cornerstone of our local democracy, and the upcoming municipal and school board election is an important opportunity for residents to have their say in who represents their community," Kimberley Kitteringham, Markham's City Clerk and chief election official, said in the release. "Whether you're considering running for office or preparing to vote, Elections Markham is here to ensure the process is transparent, accessible, and easy to navigate."

Elections Markham also held free information sessions earlier in the year on what is involved in running for office.

Voters looking for details on where and how to cast their ballot can visit ElectionsMarkham.ca, which the City describes as the most reliable source of up-to-date information on the 2026 election. Media inquiries are directed to media@markham.ca.

The City noted Markham has been a pioneer in election technology, having been the first Canadian municipality to offer online voting and maintaining one of North America's longest-running remote online voting programs.

Markham, with more than 370,000 residents, is the largest of York Region's nine municipalities.