This practical guide explains how to prepare for the 2026 York Catholic District School Board trustee election in Markham: who may vote, how to confirm Catholic school-board support, how to register, and the voting options available.
If you are looking for a detailed explanation of the trustee area or the role itself, use the separate guides to Markham Area 2 and what a YCDSB trustee does. This page stays focused on the steps voters need to take.
2026 Markham election at a glance
| Election item | Official information |
|---|---|
| YCDSB trustee area | Markham Wards 4, 5, 7 and 8 |
| Special ballot at Elections Markham Headquarters | September 28–October 22, Monday to Friday, by appointment |
| Online voting | October 16–26, using a personal computer or smartphone |
| In-person voting | October 23–26 at any Markham voting place |
| Final voting day | Monday, October 26, 2026 |
Start with four checks: confirm your voter registration, confirm your school-board support, confirm that your qualifying address is in the correct trustee area, and choose how you plan to vote.
1. Check whether you are eligible to vote in Markham
Elections Markham states that a municipal voter must meet all of these basic requirements:
- Be a Canadian citizen.
- Be at least 18 years old by final voting day.
- Qualify as a Markham resident, residential property owner or tenant, or the spouse of one.
- Be registered on the municipal voters’ list.
School-board voting has additional requirements. A person voting for an English-language Catholic (separate) school-board trustee must be Roman Catholic and must be, or have a spouse who is, an English-language separate school-board supporter. A commercial property by itself does not qualify someone to vote for a school-board trustee; the qualifying property must be residential.
Important: having a child in a Catholic school does not, by itself, confirm which school-board ballot you will receive. Check your recorded school support before voting.
2. Confirm your Catholic school-board support
The Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) maintains Ontario’s school-support designations. The default designation is English public unless an eligible owner or tenant directs support to another board.
- Review your current school-support designation through MPAC.
- If it is incorrect, follow MPAC’s process for a property owner or tenant.
- Then confirm that your municipal voter registration reflects your current name and qualifying address.
Ontario’s 2026 voters’ guide says school support cannot be changed when you arrive to vote on voting day. Complete any required change in advance.
3. Check or update your voter registration
Registered voters will be sent a voter information letter with instructions for the election. Elections Markham advises voters who do not receive a letter by the start of early voting to check their registration.
You may register online, at Elections Markham Headquarters at Markham Civic Centre, or at a voting place during voting days. Identification will be required when registering online or in person. Use the official Elections Markham registration page for the current process and acceptable documentation.
4. Choose how you will vote
Online: October 16–26
Markham voters may vote online from a personal computer or smartphone throughout the online voting period. Follow the instructions provided by Elections Markham and protect the voting credentials in your voter information letter.
At a voting place: October 23–26
Eligible voters may vote in person at any voting place in Markham during the in-person voting period. Check Elections Markham closer to the voting period for confirmed locations and hours.
Special ballot: September 28–October 22
Special ballots are available at Elections Markham Headquarters, Monday to Friday, by appointment. The City’s official voting page should be used for appointment instructions and any schedule changes.
Which YCDSB trustee race applies to Markham Area 2?
For the 2026 Markham election, the York Catholic District School Board trustee position covered by this guide represents Markham Wards 4, 5, 7 and 8. Your municipal ward is based on your qualifying address; it is not the same as a school attendance boundary.
If you are unsure of your ward, use Elections Markham’s voter information tools rather than relying on a neighbourhood name alone. The separate Markham Area 2 guide explains the trustee-area structure without repeating the voting process on this page.
When will the candidate list be final?
Candidate nominations close at 2 p.m. on August 21, 2026. Elections Markham is scheduled to certify candidates on August 24. Until certification, use the City’s official “Who’s Running” page for the current registered-candidate list; after certification, use it to confirm the final candidates for your ballot.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to have children in a Catholic school?
No. School-board voting eligibility is based on the election rules and school-support designation, not whether a voter currently has children enrolled in the system.
My child attends a YCDSB school. Will I automatically receive the Catholic trustee ballot?
Not necessarily. Confirm the school-support designation attached to your voter record rather than assuming it from your child’s school.
Can I vote more than once if I own several properties?
No. Elections Markham says a person may vote only once in a Markham municipal or school-board election, regardless of the number of properties owned or rented in the city. Ontario also permits a person to vote only once in the same school-board election.
Can I vote for a school-board trustee based only on a commercial property?
No. Commercial or industrial property may support municipal voting eligibility in some circumstances, but school-board trustee voting requires a residential qualifying property.
What should I do if I moved?
Update your municipal voter registration and separately verify your school-support designation. These records serve different purposes, so checking only one may not be enough.
Learn about the role, area and candidate
To keep this voter guide concise, the following subjects are covered on dedicated pages:
- What does a YCDSB trustee do?
- What is Markham Area 2?
- Meet Yan Zhou and review the candidate information
- Five questions to ask a Catholic school trustee candidate
- Volunteer, canvass or request a lawn sign
Candidate commitments
After confirming how and where to vote, review Yan Zhou’s detailed commitments for Markham Area 2:
About Yan Zhou
Yan Zhou is a Catholic school parent and a registered candidate for York Catholic District School Board Trustee for Markham Wards 4, 5, 7 and 8. This website provides candidate information, community updates and practical resources for families navigating Catholic education.
Last reviewed: July 15, 2026. Election procedures can change. For authoritative and current instructions, use Elections Markham and the Ontario 2026 Voters’ Guide. This page provides general information and does not replace official election rules.