Elections
Information and resources for candidates, voters, and the public.
These pages provide comprehensive information to support public participation in the municipal election process. Residents can access details on voter eligibility, registration procedures, candidate nominations, public election notices, and official election results. These resources are intended to ensure transparency, accessibility, and informed engagement throughout all stages of the election, whether you’re running for office, casting your ballot, or following the results.
The next municipal election will be held Monday, October 26, 2026.
Knowing how municipal elections work in Ontario is important because it allows for better representation of local needs in decision making, better understanding of the impact of politics, and better shared enthusiasm within communities.
How do municipal elections work?
Councillors are elected through the “first-past-the-post” system, meaning voters each choose one candidate for a position, and the candidate with the most votes is elected. They may be elected according to ward or “at-large”, depending on the municipality.
When elected at-large, all councillors represent the entire municipality, and when municipalities are divided into wards, voters elect one or more councillors to represent their ward. In an at-large election, the voters choose among all candidates in the election. For example, if a council has eight (7) positions, the seven candidates with the highest number of votes win the election and become the new councillors.
Participating in local elections is simple as both a voter and a candidate, and it contributes to strong local democracy.
Contact Us
City of Dryden
30 Van Horne Avenue, Dryden, Ontario P8N 2A7
Phone: (807) 223-2225
Email: generalinquiries@dryden.ca