While federal and provincial politics get all the headlines, it’s your local council that directly shapes the community right outside your front door. From setting property taxation rates and defining water protection bylaws to deciding the future of your local waterfront or community infrastructure, municipal decisions impact your day-to-day life more than almost any other level of government.
If you own or rent property in Ontario, it’s time to double-check the voters’ list to ensure you have a say in these decisions.
The voter registration process has officially changed for the 2026 Ontario Municipal Elections. In a major administrative shift, the Municipal Voters’ List is now managed directly by Elections Ontario, rather than the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC). Because of this massive data migration, previous registrations may not have transferred perfectly. All eligible voters—especially seasonal and non-resident property owners—are strongly encouraged to confirm their details are accurate before August 12, 2026.
You do not need to own a primary home in a municipality to vote there. You are eligible to vote in a local municipal election if you are a Canadian citizen, at least 18 years old, and you or your spouse meet any of the following criteria:
You are a permanent resident
You own a secondary or seasonal residential property (such as a cottage)
You rent a home, apartment, or seasonal property
Note for Seasonal Owners: If you qualify as a resident elector in your home city and a non-resident elector in your cottage municipality, you are legally entitled to vote in both municipal elections.
The Corporate & Trust Exception: The property must be personally owned or rented by you or your spouse. If your cottage is registered under a business name/corporation, or if it is held strictly under a family trust, provincial rules state that the property does not qualify you or your family to vote in that secondary municipality.
Please complete the verification process before the August 12th deadline. After this date, the online portal closes and any further updates, corrections, or additions to the voters’ list must be handled manually through your local municipal clerk’s office between September 1st and Election Day (October 26, 2026).
To check your status, visit the official portal: www.registertovoteon.ca
Go to the website and select “Register Now”, then choose “Check”
Provide your name, date of birth, and property information (having your property’s tax roll number handy is highly recommended)
If you are a seasonal or non-resident property owner, be sure to explicitly indicate that you own or rent a secondary property
If your information is correct, simply confirm it. If you are missing or listed incorrectly, follow the prompts to add yourself or update your data
*Please note that a Canadian Passport is not accepted as a valid municipal ID since it lacks a printed street address. Use an Ontario driver’s license, an Ontario photo card, or a municipal property tax bill instead.
The single best way to ensure your voice is heard on these critical local issues is to take matters into your own hands. Don’t assume you are automatically on the list—take a quick moment to verify your voter registration manually as soon as possible.
Because property-based eligibility can extend to more than just the primary household resident, please pass this message along to:
They may also be eligible to vote, and ensuring your entire community is registered is the first step toward protecting the future of your local community.
Check your registration status directly here and find out more about the cottage eligibility criteria here.