Introduction

Manitoba’s Municipal Election, held every four years, is one of the most important opportunities for citizens to shape the future of their communities. In 2026, Manitobans will again elect their mayors or reeves, municipal councillors, and school trustees—local leaders who make critical decisions about infrastructure, policing, property taxes, development plans, water and waste services, recreation, and the everyday quality of life in our towns and cities. Despite the enormous impact of municipal government, these elections often receive the least public attention.

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Manitoba Stronger Together has created this page to help voters make informed, confident decisions in the 2026 Municipal Election.

As a strictly non-partisan citizen-education initiative, MST does not endorse candidates or political parties. Instead, our mission is to empower Manitobans with clear information, practical tools, and community-driven insights so they can evaluate candidates, understand municipal governance, and participate fully in shaping the future of their municipality.

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Whether you are a first-time voter, a long-time resident, or someone simply looking to better understand how local government works, this page is designed to guide you through the process—every step of the way.

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What is the Manitoba Municipal Election

• A “municipal election” in Manitoba is the process by which residents vote to elect local government officials (mayors/reeves, councillors) and, in municipal-school systems, school-board trustees. 

• These elections are governed by the Municipal Councils and School Boards Elections Act (C.C.S.M. c. M257).

When They Occur

• Municipal elections in most of Manitoba are held every four years on the fourth Wednesday in October.

• Some exceptions (e.g. certain resort or beach municipalities — like Dunnottar, Victoria Beach, and Winnipeg Beach) hold elections on the fourth Friday in July. 

• The most recent general municipal election was held on October 26, 2022. 

• Therefore, the next general municipal election for most of Manitoba is expected in 2026. 

What Voters Elect

Depending on municipality:

• A Mayor (or Reeve, in rural municipalities / smaller towns) — the head of the municipal government.

• Councillors — elected from wards or at-large, depending on local government structure. 

• School-board trustees, if school-board elections are tied to the municipal election in that area. 

In the case of a city like Winnipeg: one mayor elected city-wide + one councillor per ward. 

Candidate Nomination & Eligibility

• Individuals interested in running must submit nomination papers by the deadline set in their municipality.

• Term of office: elected officials serve a four-year term. In many municipalities, the new term begins at noon the day after election day. 

• The election process and eligibility requirements are defined under the Municipal Councils and School Boards Elections Act, which sets rules for nominations, voting, public notice, voting places/stations, etc. 

 Recent & Upcoming – By-Elections vs. General Elections

• While the general municipal election is on a 4-year cycle, by-elections may occur in between if a seat becomes vacant (resignation, death, etc.). For example, a by-election was called in 2025 in a Winnipeg ward to replace a vacant city-council seat. 

• These by-elections follow a separate timetable: nomination, advance-voting, election day, etc.