With the May 11 municipal election approaching, a new initiative gets you to the polls. The Human Development Council partnered with Civic Tech Saint John to launch Saint John Votes 2026. This campaign features six community led forums and education sessions that connect you directly with local candidates.
Tackling Low Voter Turnout
During the last municipal election, fewer than 35 percent of eligible voters cast a ballot. Randy Hatfield, executive director of the Human Development Council, calls this a stark statistic. He notes that older residents, homeowners, and those with university degrees typically dominate local elections. When large groups of people skip voting, the city ignores their concerns.
Saint John faces serious social challenges, including high rates of poverty and homelessness. Hatfield emphasizes that local governments handle the immediate issues that affect your daily life. The council ensures everyone has a voice in how the city addresses these problems.
Expanding Access to Candidates
For the past 20 years, the Human Development Council hosted election forums strictly for Ward 3. The new Saint John Votes 2026 campaign expands this reach to all wards. Organizers also stream the events online to remove barriers and make participation easier for you.
These forums run from April 20 to April 28. They give you the chance to hear from ward candidates, at large councillors, and mayoral hopefuls. You also submit your own questions. So far, residents focus their questions on housing, homelessness, civic engagement, and social inclusion.
The Final Mayoral Forum
Most of the ward and at large councillor forums are already complete. The campaign wraps up with the mayoral forum on April 28 at the Imperial Theatre. This final event offers a crucial opportunity to hear how the top candidates plan to lead Saint John.
Read the original story on Your Saint John.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Saint John municipal election?
The municipal election takes place on May 11.
What is Saint John Votes 2026?
It is a campaign launched by the Human Development Council and Civic Tech Saint John to increase voter turnout through community forums and education sessions.
When and where is the mayoral forum?
The mayoral forum happens on April 28 at the Imperial Theatre.
Why is voter turnout a concern in Saint John?
Fewer than 35 percent of eligible voters participated in the last municipal election. Organizers ensure all demographics have a voice in local government decisions.
is there a full list of candidates available anywhere?
Hi Philip, you can find the full official list here: https://www.electionsnb.ca/content/dam/enb/pdf/event-may-2026/lists-of-candidates.pdf
For a more localized breakdown, Strong Towns Saint John has set up an election hub (https://strongtownssj.ca/election-2026/) that categorizes the finalized candidate lists specifically for Saint John’s Mayor, Councillors at Large, and Ward 1 through 4 races.