Nominations for Waterloo’s Municipal Elections Are Open!

The municipal election process in Waterloo are underway, with nominations now open and voting set to take place on October 26. While candidates have not yet been widely announced, this marks the beginning of the election process, and an important moment for students to start paying attention.

If you live or study in Waterloo, municipal elections directly shape your day-to-day life, and you have the opportunity to be part of it.

Why Municipal Elections Matter to You as a Student

Local decisions shape many of the things you deal with every day, including:

• Housing: This is one of the most pressing. Rental conditions, zoning, and housing availability are all influenced at the local level. The councillors elected this October will have direct influence over the availability and quality of rental housing near campus.
• Transit: If you rely on the bus or the LRT to get to class, your commute is shaped by local funding decisions. Routes, service hours, and fare prices are all tied to choices made by the people on your ballot.
• Safety: Street lighting, pedestrian pathways, and neighbourhood investment all fall under municipal jurisdiction. So do the community programs and services that make the areas around campus feel liveable and welcoming.
• Local services: Parks, public spaces, road maintenance, snow removal, waste collection, and community programs shape the quality, accessibility, and livability of the city you experience as a student.

Can Students Vote?

If you live or study in Waterloo, you’re eligible to vote in the municipal election, even if your permanent home is in another city. Many students assume they can only vote where they’re originally from, but eligibility is based on where you live during the school year.

To make voting more accessible, the city also offers Super Vote locations on-campus, where you can vote regardless of your assigned polling station. This allows students to conveniently vote without needing to search for a specific location.

What’s Happening Right Now?

We’re currently in the nomination period, when candidates officially declare their intention to run for positions such as Mayor, City Councillor, Regional Councillor, and School Board Trustee.

Starting to pay attention now gives you time to understand the issues and make informed decisions. A full election guide, including candidate breakdowns and key issues to watch, will be shared closer to voting day.

How To Register To Vote

Getting on the voters’ list is quick, straightforward, and something every eligible student can do today.

To vote in the October 26 municipal election in Ontario, you must be a Canadian citizen, at least 18 years old on election day, and a resident of the municipality. If you’re a student living off-campus, you can register to vote using your Waterloo address.

Here’s how to get registered:

Check if you’re already on the list. You may already be registered if you’ve voted in past elections or your information appears in provincial or federal records. Your municipality’s election website will have a lookup tool to confirm.

Register or update your address online. If you’re not on the list, or if your address has changed since the last election, you can register through your municipality’s online election portal in just a few minutes.

Register in person or on election day. If online registration isn’t an option, you can visit the municipal clerk’s office before October 26, or register at your polling station on election day.

Know what to bring on October 26. You’ll need two pieces of identification, at least one showing your current address. A student card paired with a bank statement, lease, or utility bill works well. Your voter notification card, once you’re registered, is also helpful to bring along.

Make sure you’re prepared by checking, registering, or updating your voter information through the City of Waterloo Municipal Elections. It only takes a few minutes, but it ensures you’re ready to have your say and not miss the opportunity to make an impact on October 26.