2026 Municipal Election: How candidates are using social media as a platform to springboard their platform policies?
By Sanjeev Wignarajah
It’s that time of the year again… the 2026 Municipal Election. Residents of their cities elect their mayor, city councillor, and school trustee as their vote determines which direction the city wants to go. In the case of Toronto’s mayoral election. It’s been an interesting development as a few ridings are deemed hotly contested. Each mayoral candidate and city councillor candidate utilizes their social media platform to springboard their platform policies to engage voters in their respective ridings on the issues that matter to them.
The Zohran Mamdani Effect
Mayor of New York City Zohran Mamdani uses social media to make policy announcements and progress being made to millions of New Yorkers. What makes Mayor Mamdani’s social media game unique is how he’s able to address the issues New Yorkers have faced for a long time and provides clear solutions with cinematic, presentable visuals that catches the viewers eye while maintaining the key messages clearly presented. His personality lies within his calm, charismatic, and passion to make New York a city for all.
https://x.com/NYCMayor/status/2081785430744195166
Back in Toronto, city councillor candidates from their respective wards have gotten creative in their videos via social media trends while making their campaign platforms concise and straight to the point. It is also accessible as voters scroll on their phones making it engaging and commenting on why this platform makes sense or not.
https://x.com/Krissan4Scarb/status/2069798813687046374
Outreach
The tried and true method that is canvassing. Candidates and volunteers would go door knocking talking to residents on the issues they are facing and what candidates will do to solve the issue if elected. That and hosting a campaign launch event for communities to get to know the candidate better. Be it a BBQ or a different event. It takes a team to put it together.
Storytelling
For every post lies within storytelling. How to start a story starts with the subject. The moment New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani won the mayoral election. He sat alongside many New Yorkers from all walks of life and shared their dreams, hopes, and concerns. Not only is it wholesome and pulls the heartstrings. It is authentic and human.
Post-Election
Toronto’s municipal election is surely going to be hectic as Torontonians cast their vote on Oct. 26 to decide who will lead the city based on what direction the city needs to be headed. Time will tell from now until October.
Sanjeev Wignarajah is a freelance writer and photographer working with select clients and publications. He has a background in journalism and public relations from Centennial College.