Supporting Voter Participation in Ontario’s 2026 Municipal Elections
Practical resources to help communities inform, engage and encourage more people to vote.
Healthy local democracy depends on people having the information, confidence and opportunity to participate.
As part of AMO’s Healthy Democracy Project, AMO and Toronto Metropolitan University have developed a new series of practical guides to help communities support voter participation in Ontario’s 2026 municipal elections.
The guides are designed for three audiences:
- Municipalities – practical approaches municipalities can use to make voting information accessible, encourage participation and connect residents with their local democracy.
- Libraries – ideas for libraries to use their trusted role in communities to share reliable election information, support civic learning and create opportunities for participation.
- Post-secondary institutions and students – tools and ideas to help engage students and young people in local elections and make municipal democracy more accessible.
These resources build on four years of work through AMO’s Healthy Democracy Project, including research, member engagement, training and practical tools focused on strengthening local democracy.
Get the Guide for Municipalities
Get the Guide for Post-Secondary Institutions
Watch and share
The guides are accompanied by a series of short videos highlighting practical ways organizations and community partners can support voter participation.
Democracy starts with participation
One of the most important ways people participate in democracy is by voting. AMO’s voter turnout research has shown that engaged and informed residents are more likely to vote. Building that engagement takes time—it cannot begin only when an election is underway.
Strengthening local democracy is a shared responsibility. These guides offer practical ways to start conversations, share trusted information and create opportunities for people to participate.
They are designed to be flexible. Whether you are looking for one simple activity or planning a broader voter engagement initiative, the resources can be adapted to your community, organization and capacity.
Explore the resources. Share them widely. And join us in helping more Ontarians participate in their local democracy.