Pickering voters to cast municipal ballots Oct. 26, but not for regional chair

Pickering residents will head to the polls on Monday, Oct. 26, for the 2026 municipal election, but they will not be voting for Durham’s regional chair.

Provincial legislation has changed the regional chair position from elected to appointed, according to the Region of Durham. That means candidates for the role will not appear on municipal election ballots this fall.

Ahead of election day, the Region is encouraging residents to check that they are registered and that their information on the voters list is current. It says a voter’s name must be on that list to cast a ballot.

The election will determine local leadership for the next four years. Officials elected in October will serve until 2030, following the current Regional Council term, which began in 2022 and ends this year.

Registration and election responsibilities

The Region advises residents to confirm, update or add their voter information before the election. Taking care of registration in advance can help reduce the time needed on election day, it says.

While Ontario establishes the common rules for municipal elections, individual municipalities are responsible for conducting them. For Pickering residents, that means the election is administered at the municipal level rather than by Durham Region.

Municipal elections take place every four years on the fourth Monday in October. This year’s vote falls on Oct. 26.

A vote focused on local issues

Unlike federal and provincial elections, Ontario municipal elections are non-partisan. Candidates run as individuals rather than as representatives of political parties.

The Region identifies roads, recreation, housing, libraries, public safety, and community programs and services among the local issues candidates focus on.

For residents, those are areas tied to the services and infrastructure they use in everyday life. The Region’s election information also highlights the role of councils and school boards in making local decisions.

The chair appointment change is a difference voters will see this year, separate from the regular four-year election cycle. The Region says Ontario’s legislation means voters will no longer select a regional chair on their ballot.

Residents looking for more information about the municipal election and getting ready to vote can visit durham.ca/elections.