Toronto voters will head to the polls on Oct. 26, 2026, to elect a mayor in a race currently led by incumbent Olivia Chow. With 50 candidates running, the campaign is centering on housing affordability, public safety, and the controversial removal of city bike lanes.
The race for Toronto’s mayor is shifting into high gear as candidates attempt to define the civic vibe of the city. While early polling puts incumbent Mayor Olivia Chow in the lead, her rivals are already aggressively framing the debate around the cost of living and urban infrastructure. Local elections are an immediate form of politics,
according to City Hall Watcher Matt Elliott, where everything from sidewalk conditions to transit fares can dictate the tenor of the campaign. Civic vibe can shape an election like this,
Elliott said in the first episode of CBC Toronto’s new election podcast, which also features Toronto Today’s Aidan Chamandy and the Toronto Star’s Mahdis Habibinia.
Brad Bradford and the Challenge to Olivia Chow
While Chow is expected to officially begin her campaign after Labour Day, her chief rival, Beaches-East York councillor Brad Bradford, has been active for months. Bradford’s strategy has included high-visibility advertising during July Blue Jays games and a kickoff rally held in Etobicoke. He has already released more policy details than other candidates, focusing on a platform of business competitiveness, traffic congestion, and public cleanliness. Bradford lists his priorities as crime, traffic congestion, cost of living, cleanliness of public spaces and competitiveness of the city’s business environment.
Bradford is leaning heavily into public safety and health crises. He has promised to hire 1,000 new police officers and is calling on the provincial government to provide the city with tools for mandatory addiction treatment. Former federal immigration minister under Stephen Harper, Chris Alexander, also entered the race in late July; though he currently sits third in the polls, his campaign has remained relatively quiet.
Housing, Addiction and the Bike Lane Battle
Voter concerns are split between systemic crises and immediate urban management. According to a callout by CBC, more than 100 Torontonians from all over the city have shared their top election issues. Housing affordability remains a primary issue, alongside drug addiction and homelessness, though ideas about how to address these vary. Public safety and the state of the city’s infrastructure were also identified as concerns for voters.
A new flashpoint has emerged: the Ford government’s push to remove bike lanes. This development is expected to change the campaign dynamic, as many residents have expressed a desire for those lanes to be enhanced rather than dismantled. The tension reflects a broader conflict between city leadership and the province. While some voters are focused on defeating Chow, others have written in decrying Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s meddling in city issues. This friction suggests the election will be as much about Toronto’s relationship with the Ontario government as it is about internal city management.
Voter Deadlines and Mail-In Ballots
As of Tuesday, citizens can begin confirming their information on the voters’ list or requesting mail-in ballots by visiting the Toronto Elections webpage, emailing VoterRegistration@toronto.ca, or calling 311. To ensure a name appears on the printed list used at polling stations on election day, updates must be completed by 7 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 11. Eligible voters who miss this window can still add their names using acceptable identification during advance voting or on election day.
Sept. 20: Voter Information Cards (VICs) are mailed to all registered voters as of midnight. Voters can also download or print a digital copy of their VIC on the Toronto Elections webpage.
Voters should note that while a VIC provides location and timing details, it is not a form of identification, it is not required to vote, and it cannot be used as identification at the voting place. All voters are required to show identification with their name and qualifying address.
Advance voting will run from Tuesday, Oct. 6 to Sunday, Oct. 11, leading up to the final vote on Monday, Oct. 26.