The City of St. Thomas is encouraging residents to consider running for local office in the upcoming municipal election, as the community prepares for a significant change in leadership.
Following the announcement that Mayor Joe Preston will not seek re-election this year, the city faces its first open mayoral race in over two decades. The municipal election will take place on October 26, 2026, with the successful candidates serving a four-year term beginning in November 2026 and ending in November 2030.
To help residents navigate the process, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario is offering free resources and workshops. These include the Lead Where You Live guide and the Healthy Democracy Leadership Series, both designed to support first-time candidates and those interested in understanding local government roles.
Interested individuals must meet specific requirements to qualify as a candidate. This includes being a Canadian citizen aged 18 or older and qualifying as an elector in St. Thomas. Because the city has more than 4,000 electors, candidates must also submit 25 endorsement signatures from local voters when filing their nomination, along with a fee of $100 for a council position or $200 for the mayoralty.
The official nomination period opens on May 1, 2026, and closes on August 21, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. Prospective candidates can also refer to the 2026 Candidates’ Guide published by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing for further information on eligibility and the filing process.
St. Thomas City Council currently consists of the mayor and eight councillors, all of whom are elected on an at-large basis. This means councillors represent the entire city rather than specific wards, and voters cast ballots for multiple candidates to fill the available seats.
