Municipal and School Board Elections 2026: Candidate Registration Opens May 1 for Mayoral Candidates

Brandon, MB – The next general municipal election will be held on Wed, Oct. 28, 2026. This year, the community of Brandon will elect a mayor and city councillors, along with the Brandon School Division board of trustees.

General municipal elections are held every four years on the fourth Wednesday in October. The Senior Election Official (SEO) has released an online resource available at brandon.ca/votes, where potential candidates and residents can find information related to the 2026 municipal election.  

Information for Candidates

The campaign registration period for mayoral candidates opens May 1, 2026. Registration for city councillor and school division trustee candidates opens June 30, 2026.

Anyone intending to run for municipal office must register with the SEO before accepting contributions, incurring expenses, raising funds, or borrowing money for their campaign. 

To qualify as a candidate for municipal council, an individual must be:

• a Canadian citizen
• at least 18 years of age on Election Day
• a resident of Manitoba
• a qualified voter, which includes someone who has lived in or owned property in the municipality for at least six months before Election Day (Apr. 28, 2026)
• not subject to disqualification under The Municipal Act or any other applicable legislation

Under The Municipal Act, the following individuals are disqualified from being nominated: 

• a judge of the Court of Queen’s Bench or the Court of Appeal
• a provincial judge or justice of the peace
• a member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba or the Senate or House of Commons of Canada

Information for Voters

While Election Day is still several months away, maintaining an accurate Voters List is an important step in ensuring a smooth election. Residents who have recently moved, rent their home, or have changed addresses are encouraged to confirm their voter information.

Residents can update their information by calling 204‑729-2462 or emailing brandonvotes@brandon.ca. Revisions to the Voters List will be accepted until Sept. 22, 2026.

“This year’s municipal election is an important opportunity for residents to participate in local democracy,” says Heather Ewasiuk, Senior Election Official for the City of Brandon and Brandon School Division. “I encourage anyone considering running for office, as well as all eligible voters, to visit brandon.ca/votes to learn more about the election process. Information about registered candidates, advance voting options, and polling locations will be shared as it becomes available.”