2026 Municipal Council and School Board Elections

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The next municipal election will take place on Monday, October 26, 2026.

In this election, voters will elect municipal Mayors and members of Council, as well as School Board Trustees.

For general information about the election process, visit the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing election website.

For local details, including voting locations and procedures, please visit your municipality’s election site for Ajax, Brock, Oshawa, Pickering, Scugog, Uxbridge, and Whitby.

Interested in Becoming a School Board Trustee?

School Board Trustees are locally elected officials who serve a four-year term and are responsible for the governance and oversight of the school board.

Trustees work together to set direction for the school board, including establishing priorities, providing oversight, and making decisions within the scope of their authority as defined by legislation. They do not manage the day-to-day operations of the school board, which are carried out by the Director of Education and staff.

Trustees are elected to represent their communities and are required to consider the needs of all students across the district when participating in board decisions. They work collaboratively with other Trustees and communicate with the public about board matters.

The Durham District School Board is governed by 12 Trustees: 11 elected Trustees and one appointed First Nations Representative. While Trustees are elected by municipality, they work collectively in support of student achievement and well-being across the district.

11 Trustees will be elected to the Durham District School Board in the 2026 municipal election:

  • two from the Town of Ajax
  • two from the combined Townships of Brock, Scugog and Uxbridge
  • three from the City of Oshawa
  • two from the City of Pickering
  • two from the Town of Whitby

Visit the 2026 Ontario Municipal and School Board Elections website for additional information about the trustee role in Ontario. 

Information for Candidates

2026 Candidates’ Guide

This webpage is provided for general information only. The Durham District School Board does not administer the election process.

For questions related to nominations, voting, or election procedures, please contact the Clerk’s office of your local municipality.

For questions related to the Durham District School Board and the role of Trustee, please contact:

Gillian Venning
Coordinator of Trustee Services
gillian.venning@ddsb.ca | 905-666-6363

Who Can Run for School Board Trustee?
  • A resident within the jurisdiction of the Durham District School Board;
  • A Canadian citizen;
  • At least 18 years old;
  • Not legally prohibited from voting; and,
  • Not disqualified by any legislation from holding municipal office.

Review the 2026 Candidates’ Guide for information on who is not eligible to be a Trustee candidate
Important Dates
  • Friday, May 1, 2026: first day to file a nomination for an office
  • Friday, August 21, 2026, 2:00 p.m.: deadline to file or withdraw a nomination for an office
  • Monday, August 24, 2026, 4:00 p.m.: deadline for municipalities to verify candidate eligibility and certify or reject nominations
  • Monday, October 26, 2026: election day
  • Sunday, November 15, 2026: new term of office begins (DDSB Trustees will be sworn in on Monday, November 16, 2026 at the Inaugural Board meeting)
Filing Nominations

The nomination fee for school board trustee is $100 and is paid at the time of filing along with the Nomination Form.  Nominations may be filed in person by the candidate (or by an agent representative) at the applicable municipal office between May 1 and August 21, 2026 during the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, and between 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on August 21.

To file nominations, a nomination form must be provided to the Clerk, in addition to the nomination fee at the following locations:

  • Ajax: Office of the Clerk, 65 Harwood Avenue South, Ajax, by appointment (walk-ins accepted only on August 21). Book an appointment to file.
  • Brock, Scugog and Uxbridge: Office of the Clerk (Township of Scugog), 181 Perry Street, Port Perry
  • Oshawa: Office of the Clerk, 5th Floor, Rundle Tower, City Hall, 50 Centre Street South, Oshawa
  • Pickering: Office of the City Clerk, 1 The Esplanade, Pickering
  • Whitby: Office of the Town Clerk, 575 Rossland Road East, Whitby. Candidates are encouraged to book an appointment to file.

Detailed information about campaigning and spending limits is provided in the 2026 Candidates’ Guide.

Information for Voters

2026 Voters’ Guide

Who Can Vote

Anyone can vote in a municipal election who, on the day of the election, is:

  • 18 years of age or older;
  • A Canadian citizen;
  • Either a resident of the municipality or a property owner or tenant or the spouse of an owner or tenant in the municipality during a specified time just before the election; and,
  • Not otherwise prohibited from voting.
  • Included on the voters’ list in. To check if you are on the voters’ list or to update your information visit Ontario’s Register to Vote website. 
How and Where to Vote 

Visit your local municipality’s election website for information on how to cast your ballot, include advance polling, positions being elected besides School Board Trustees, and polling station locations:

Certified 2026 DDSB School Board Trustee Candidates

This section will be updated following certification of nominations on August 24, 2026.