The civic election being held Monday, May 11, 2026, is a valuable opportunity for residents across New Brunswick to consider who will lead our cities and towns over the next four years. If we are satisfied with the work of our current mayors, we can vote to return them to office. If not, we can choose new representatives. This is an important role that requires time, passion, creative ideas and a strong commitment to public service.
The decisions made around the Council table focus on a wide range of key issues that keep cities and towns running smoothly. Although not sexy topics, they range from by-laws, property taxes, fire and police, economic development, regional co-operation, planning, parks and city infrastructure. They also include the everyday concerns that matter most to residents, such as roads, bridges and potholes.
In the City of Saint John, councillors are elected through a ward system. The city is divided into four wards. When we vote on May 11, 2026, we mark the ballot for the Mayor and two of the people who are running in the ward we live in. We also vote for two councillors at large. They represent residents across the whole community.
Now that nominations have closed, three people are running for Mayor of Saint John: current Mayor Donna Reardon, Barry Ogden and Blaine Harris, and 32 candidates are running for seats on the next Council. The Deputy Mayor is appointed by the new Council after the election.
We also vote for District Education Council members, a role that often receives little public attention but is still important. These Councillors work together to represent the interests of students, parents and the broader community and help shape the priorities of the public education system. In the 12 sub-districts of Anglophone South, which supervises schools in Southwest New Brunswick, five candidates are running unopposed. In sub-district 6, voters can choose between candidates Mohamed Bagha and Justin Speight; in sub-district 7, the candidates are Sara Cook and Jamie Munroe; and in sub-district 9, voters will choose between Roger Nesbitt and Qian Zhou. Four sub-districts have no candidates running.
To vote in the coming election, you must be a Canadian citizen, at least 18 years old on Election Day, a resident of the City of Saint John, or a property-owner in the City of Saint John. Before voting, you should confirm you are on the voters list. You can check and update your registration through the Elections NB Voters List page. https://shorturl.at/hEr37 The revision period closes on May 7, 2026. After that date, you cannot be added to the list or make changes before Election Day.
Your polling station (where you vote) is based on your address. You can check it on your Voter Information Card, mailed around April 27th, 2026. You can also use the Elections NB polling station search by entering your street address: https://shorturl.at/jabUu
Polls will open at 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day. If you cannot vote on May 11, advance voting is available on Saturday, May 2, 2026 and Monday, May 4, 2026. Advance polling locations will be posted on the Elections NB website closer to the election. If you will be away from Saint John, are housebound or otherwise can’t vote in person, you can vote by mail. Any registered elector is eligible. For instructions, check the Elections NB online portal. https://shorturl.at/HnqJD
How to Participate:
There are a week of candidate debates coming up between April 20th and April 28th. If you would like to attend, they will be held at different locations around the city.
| 20-Apr | At-Large Candidates Forum | 7-9 pm | Kent Theatre |
| 21-Apr | Ward 2 Candidates Forum | 4:30-6:30 pm | Nick Nicolle Center |
| 22-Apr | Ward 4 Candidates Forum | 6-8 pm | Irving Field House |
| 23-Apr | Ward 3 Candidates Forum | 6-8 pm | Kent Theatre |
| 27-Apr | Ward 1 Candidates Forum | Branch 69 Legion | |
| 28-Apr | Mayoralty Candidates Forum | 6-8 pm | Imperial Theatre |
Go and listen to what the future members of your city council have to say, so you can become better informed about who to vote for on Monday, May 11th.
