WHY YOU SHOULD VOTE
2026 is a municipal election year, which includes the election of school trustees. We will go to the polls on October 26, 2026, to decide who will represent the residents of the Township of Carling (Carling) for the next four (4) years. Before October arrives, there is a lot of ground to cover and consider before placing an “X” in the ballot box.
Carling has provided a wealth of information on its website at this link, but one of the most important rules to remember is that anyone can vote in a municipal election who, on election day, is:
A critical step in voting is ensuring you are on the voters' list. Here is the link to the Ontario Register to Vote website to check your status. If you are not on the list, please take the necessary steps to register yourself and encourage others permitted to vote to do the same.
Like all elections, there will be door-to-door meetings, all-candidates' meetings, and similar events, offering plenty of opportunities to engage with your potential next municipal Council. During those engagements, you may want to consider some of the following questions:
Carling has provided a wealth of information on its website at this link, but one of the most important rules to remember is that anyone can vote in a municipal election who, on election day, is:
- 18 years of age or older,
- A Canadian citizen, and
- Either a resident of the municipality, or an owner or tenant of property there (or the spouse of a same-sex partner or opposite-sex partner who owns or rents property in the municipality) during a specified time just before the election.
A critical step in voting is ensuring you are on the voters' list. Here is the link to the Ontario Register to Vote website to check your status. If you are not on the list, please take the necessary steps to register yourself and encourage others permitted to vote to do the same.
Like all elections, there will be door-to-door meetings, all-candidates' meetings, and similar events, offering plenty of opportunities to engage with your potential next municipal Council. During those engagements, you may want to consider some of the following questions:
- How well did the current Council engage with you over the last four (4) years? For instance, if you heard from them back in 2022 (just before the last election) and are only seeing them again now in 2026, is that enough? How could candidates better engage with you on a more regular basis?
- How well-informed were you regarding the comings and goings at the Carling Council table over the last four (4) years?
- If you do not live year-round in Carling, do you feel like a part of the community? How could you be helped to feel more included?
- Where do you stand on the issues?
A. Roads – likely something you use every day
B. Waste – likely something you use weekly
C. Emergency services – something you use when it is needed
D. Parking
E. Community engagement
F. Municipal services
G. The environment
H. Property taxes – keeping in mind that school taxes represent a portion of the overall municipal property tax rate
I. Water quality
J. By-law matters
K. Zoning matters
How To Check if you are on the voter’s list!
Visit www.registertovoteon.ca
Internet & Telephone Voting open between October 14 and 26, 2026
Election Day – Monday, October 26, 2026
HELPFUL LINKS AND RESOURCES
Township of Carling website.
Township of Carling community events calendar.
Federation of Ontario Cottagers' Associations municipal government elections
Township of Carling community events calendar.
Federation of Ontario Cottagers' Associations municipal government elections
