Why Your Vote Matters

Municipal elections do not always receive the same attention as provincial or federal campaigns. There are fewer television advertisements, fewer national headlines and usually far less political theatre.

Yet, municipal government makes decisions that we encounter almost every day.

Council decisions affect the roads we drive, the taxes we pay, the way development is approved, the protection of agricultural land, emergency services, parks, waste collection and the infrastructure our communities depend on. These decisions can influence the value and enjoyment of our homes, the ability of local businesses to succeed and whether families can continue to afford to live here.

That is why voting in a municipal election matters.

A Small Number of Votes Can Decide the Result

In a community the size of North Marysburgh, no vote should ever be dismissed as insignificant.

In the 2022 municipal election, only 33 votes separated the two candidates for North Marysburgh councillor. That is fewer people than we might see at a community gathering or pass during an ordinary morning in the County.

Thirty-three votes determined who would represent the entire ward for four years.

Your vote may feel like one small decision, but municipal elections are often decided by very small margins. A family, a group of neighbours or a few people who might otherwise stay home can materially change the result.

Learn About the People Asking to Represent You

Voting is not simply about recognizing a familiar name. It is an opportunity to consider who will prepare for meetings, examine municipal spending, respond to residents and make decisions when the right answer is not obvious.

I encourage you to learn about each candidate. Read our platforms. Ask where we stand. Consider our experience, our connections to the ward and how we intend to communicate with residents after the election is over.

Ask us how we would balance growth with the protection of agricultural land and rural communities. Ask how we would approach roads, infrastructure, planning and taxpayer affordability. Ask how we would handle potential conflicts and explain difficult votes.

A candidate should be willing to answer respectful questions… including challenging ones.

I hope you will ask those questions of me. Email me, call me, stop to speak with me at Cressy Mustard or invite me to meet with your neighbours. You do not need to have decided how you will vote before starting a conversation.

Important Voting Dates

Prince Edward County voters will have several opportunities to participate in the 2026 municipal election:

• Advance Voting Day: Saturday, October 17

• Online Voting: October 17 through October 26

• Election Day: Monday, October 26

Online voting will allow eligible electors to vote from a computer, tablet or smartphone throughout the voting period. Traditional paper-ballot voting will also be available at designated times and locations.

Eligible voters should confirm that their information is correct on the voters’ list and watch for their voter notification card, which will include the information needed to cast a ballot. The County’s official election website will provide current instructions, voting locations and identification requirements.

Voters will also be asked a separate ballot question: Are you in favour of a third-party review of Council size and related ward boundaries?

That question could affect how residents are represented in future municipal elections. I encourage everyone to learn what a review could involve and consider the question carefully before voting.

Your Voice Continues After Election Day

Voting is an important act of participation, but it should not be the end of a resident’s involvement.

Contact your councillor. Attend or watch council meetings when an issue matters to you. Ask questions about decisions affecting your road, neighbourhood, business or farm. Share your experience before a proposal reaches its final vote.

Democracy works best when residents remain informed and elected representatives remain accessible and accountable.

I am asking for your vote because I believe my experience, judgment and knowledge of North Marysburgh would serve the ward well. But I also respect that your vote belongs to you. It should be earned, never presumed.

Please learn about your choices, make a plan to vote and encourage the people around you to participate.

In North Marysburgh, every vote truly can make a difference.