Voter Information for Municipal Elections

When are municipal elections?

The next general municipal election will be held on Monday, November 2, 2026. They are held every four years on the first Monday in November. Between general municipal elections, when vacancies occur on council, a by-election must be held within six months of the vacancy unless the vacancy occurs in the last year of a council member's term.

Find out if you live in a municipality search Municipalities of PEI Map. 

Who can vote in a municipal election?

You can vote in a municipal election if you*:

• Are a Canadian citizen
• Are at least 18 years of age or older
• Have lived in PEI for at least 6 months before election day
• Are ordinarily a resident in the municipality on election day ('ordinarily resident' has the same meaning as it does in section 22 and 23 of the Election Act)

* There are different rules for the Resort Municipality  

How can I tell if I am on the List of Electors for my municipality?

The Municipal Electoral Officer (MEO) for your municipality is responsible for developing the list of electors.  Contact your MEO if you have questions.  

The preliminary and official list of electors is only provided to election officials and to each officially nominated candidate or their agent. 

Visit the Municipal Directory for municipal contact information.

How do I register as an elector in my municipality?

Electors can register or update their information with their Municipal Electoral Officer (MEO) by contacting their municipality or checking with Elections PEI to see if you are on the provincial voting list.

If you are not registered as an elector, but are eligible to vote, you will need to register at your polling station on voting day. 

What do I need to bring with me in order to vote in the municipal election?

Electors must bring identification (ID) or documents with their name and address.  Electors can bring:

• One piece of government ID with their name and address, OR
• Two pieces of ID or documents with their name on both and address on at least one.

Electors who cannot prove their current address can bring two pieces of ID with their name and sign a declaration at the poll.  Look at examples of acceptable forms of identification or documentation.

Where can I find information about who is running for Council in my municipality?

The Municipal Electoral Officer (MEO) will post a notice of the nominated candidates in the municipal election office at the end of the nomination period.  The MEO also has the option to post the notice in any additional ways that capture the attention of the electors in the municipality. 

When will I learn the results of a municipal election?

The latest an MEO may verify the votes are by 10:00 am on the second day after the election.  Depending on the need for recounts or a judicial review, the latest possible date for the declaration of candidates would be by the second week after the election or by-election.  

Municipalities may post the unofficial results on their website.  

Where can I find the contact information for a municipality?

You can check the municipality’s website for contact information.  Municipal Affairs maintains a directory for all municipalities, based on the information provided by each municipality.  Search the Municipal Directory.

View the Municipal Elections Page for more information. 

How to nominate a candidate for council?

To sign a nomination form you must reside in the municipality where the candidate is running, and if there are wards, in the ward the candidate is running. 

What are a voter's responsibilities?

It's the voter's responsibility to:

• Provide valid identification.
• Follow correct procedures when marking your ballot.  Template Elector Instructions Poster
• Meet deadlines for voter registration or mail-in ballots (where mail in ballots are offered.) 

How many votes does a voter get?

You may vote for: 

• One Mayor
• Up to a maximum number of councillors allowed by your municipality.

What are the different municipal voting systems?

There are two municipal voting systems in PEI:

1. At large
   • All councillors represent the whole municipality
   • Electors/voters can vote for the candidates of their choice up to the maximum number of positions but can only vote once for each candidate.
2. Ward system
   • Councillors are designated for select voters/electors based on geographic divisions called wards.
   • Electors only vote for candidates that are nominated in the ward the elector/voters lives in, only once per candidate and up to maximum identified by municipality.  There are currently seven municipalities with ward systems.

Where can I find more information about election offences?

• The Election Offences and Penalties page outlines examples of violations to the Municipal Government Act, your municipality’s Elections Bylaw, or your municipality’s Campaign Contributions and Elections Expenses Bylaw.