What is a Municipal Election?

The word “municipal” refers to local government, such as a city or town (i.e., the City of Cambridge).

Municipal governments are responsible for many services and day-to-day decisions that shape life in a community, as they own, operate and maintain the majority of Canada’s core public infrastructure; nearly 65% of it. These responsibilities are different from those of the provincial and federal governments, which focus on broader areas across Ontario and Canada.

Municipalities, specifically the City of Cambridge, is responsible for:

• Roads and Traffic (E.g., maintaining neighbourhood streets, improving intersections, and planning for future growth)
• Parks, trails, and recreation facilities (e.g., playgrounds, expanding community centres, and caring for green spaces)
• Community Programs and Services (e.g., youth programs, senior services, and local events)
• Planning and Development (e.g., how land is used and how neighbourhoods grow)
• Emergency Services (e.g., local fire services and community safety programs)
• Budgets and local tax dollars (e.g., making choices about what projects and services are funded)

By voting in municipal elections, you help elect leaders who reflect your priorities and ensure your voice is heard on issues affecting you, your family, and your community.

In addition to the City of Cambridge, residents are also part of the Region of Waterloo and local school boards. These different levels of local government work alongside each other, and each has its own responsibilities. Due to this structure, your ballot will include more than one type of representative. See below to learn about different municipalities and school boards that Cambridge is apart of.

Region of Waterloo

The Region of Waterloo provides services that are shared across the cities of Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo, and surrounding townships of North Dumfries, Wellesley, Wilmot and Woolwich.

The Region is responsible for broader community services, such as:

• Public Transit (i.e., Grand River Transit)
• Emergency services (e.g., paramedics and hospitals)
• Waste management
• Regional roads and transportation planning
• Regional growth and long-term planning

Since these services support the entire region, residents vote for regional representatives during the municipal election. These elected officials bring the voice of Cambridge’s communities to the regional table.

Visit the Region of Waterloo’s website to learn more about their services: Region of Waterloo

School Boards

Residents also vote for school board trustees during municipal elections. Trustees are elected to represent the community on matters related to public education.

School board trustees guide:

• School board policies and priorities
• Budget decisions
• Program and supports across local schools
• Planning for school facilities and future needs

In the Waterloo Region, there are four school boards:

• Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) – English Public
• Waterloo Catholic District School Board (WCDSB) – English Catholic
• Conseil scolaire Viamonde (CSV) – French Public
• Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir (CSCM) – French Catholic

School board trustees help guide decisions about local schools, programs, and how public education dollars are used in the community. These decisions affect the wider community, not only families with school‑aged children. Voting for a trustee helps choose the person who will represent your area’s needs and perspectives at the school board table.

A municipal election is a local election where people in a community choose the representative who will make decisions for their city or town. In the City of Cambridge, this includes choosing the local leaders who will guide programs, services, and planning that support daily life.

Every four (4) years, eligible Cambridge residents and property owners can vote for the people they want to represent the community, and eligible individuals can run to become candidates.

Simply, a municipal election is how Cambridge chooses its local leaders, the people who help shape how the city grows, operates, and supports its residents every day.

Municipal elections in Ontario are governed by the Municipal Elections Act (MEA), 1996, which sets out rules for how elections are conducted across the province. This legislation establishes:

• Who can vote
• Who can run as a candidate
• When election day happens
• How campaign finances must be managed
• Notices to voters and candidates
• Election timelines
• And more!

While the MEA sets a consistent framework for elections across Ontario, each municipality is responsible for running its own election in accordance with the law. As per the MEA, the City Clerk is recognized as the “Returning Officer” and is designated the authority: 

• Create procedures that are not provided in the MEA as is necessary or desirable for conducting the election.
• To establish forms, including oaths and declarations, and require their use.
• They may delegate their powers and duties to any other election official.

Meaning, the Clerk is responsible for conducting the election, including, choosing voting methods and locations, hiring election staff, providing notices and information to voters and candidates, and ensuring the election is conducted fairly, securely, and transparently.

Together, these rules and responsibilities help ensure that municipal elections are run consistently across Ontario while allowing municipalities to manage the local details of the election process.

Municipal elections matter because the choices made by local representatives show up in your everyday life; on the routes you take, the places you visit, the programs available to your family, and the way Cambridge grows and adapts over time.

Voting in a municipal election is one-way residents can influence these everyday experiences and help shape the future of the City of Cambridge.

There are different ways community members can get involved in the municipal election. Select the options below to learn more about how you get involved!

Voting

As an eligible resident, you can ensure that your opinions and how you want your community shaped is heard, by voting. 

Voting is designed to be:

• Private: your chooses are confidential and cannot be connected to you.
• Secure: Your ballot is handled and count through transparent and trusted processes.
• Accessible: Voting options are designed to support you and a multitude of accommodation needs. (Learn more about accessibility here)

Voting is for all eligible electors! Learn about voting and requirements at the Voting in the Municipal Election page 

You do not need special knowledge, experience, or background to take part. Election staff are available to answer questions and offer support. 

Running as a Candidate

Some residents may choose to run for office to represent their community.

Candidates:

• Must meet eligibility rules
• Register with the city during the nomination period
• Follow rules for campaigning and managing campaign finances

Running for a position on Council is an important way for residents to help shape the future of Cambridge. Members of Council guide local discussions, bring forward diverse perspectives, and make decisions that influence services, priorities, and community growth.

Learn more about running as a candidate here. 

Supporting the Election

Municipal elections are made possible with help from many people, including:

• Election staff who organize voting locations, prepare ballots, support voters, and more.
• Temporary election day staff and volunteers who help at voting locations on Voting Day
• Community Members who help neighbours understand how and when to vote

These roles help to ensure Election Day is secure, smooth, and accessible for everyone in Cambridge.

Learn more about work or volunteer opportunities here.