August 5, 2026
By-elections have been called for the ridings of Hamilton East—Stoney Creek, Scarborough Southwest, and York—Simcoe.
All three by-elections are set to take place on September 3, 2026.
A by-election is an election that happens in a single electoral district between general elections. By-elections occur when a seat in the Legislative Assembly is left vacant, typically by the resignation or death of an MPP. More than one by-election may be held at the same time.
How does a by-election work?
By-elections follow the same processes as regular elections. The Premier decides on the date of the by-election(s) and advises the Lieutenant Governor. The Lieutenant Governor then signs the writ(s) of election, which officially launches the by-election(s). Anyone who wants to be a candidate must register with Elections Ontario to be included on the ballot. Most candidates are nominated by a political party, but some may run as independents. On election day, the candidate who receives the most votes from registered voters becomes the constituency’s new MPP.
Visit Elections Ontario (opens another site) to find information on political parties, candidates, voting eligibility, registering to vote, and more.
Learn more
Read about the electoral process in Ontario.
Explore current MPPs.
View the Election Act (opens another site).