Youth Municipal Election Engagement

Provide Feedback on Your Ideal Town!

The Town is inviting students (17 years old and younger) to submit a 350-word creative essay describing their vision for an 'Ideal Town' The purpose is for youth to tell a future Council what their ideal Town looks like! Youth are asked to think about programs and services that they would like to see from the Town.

Enter the Contest:

If you live in the Town of Cobourg, write a 350 word creative essay about what you would like to see in your ideal Town.

Submissions are due by October 26, 2026 - Election Day by 8:00 p.m.

Your submission must include: 

  • Full name of Youth submitting what their Ideal Town would be.
  • age/grade 
  • a parent or guardian's name
  • a parent or guardian's email or phone number

Please submit your essay either:

  • By email - cobourgvotes@cobourg.ca 
  • By mail at: Office of the Municipal Clerk - 55 King Street West, Cobourg ON, K9A 2M2.

After Submission Deadline

Following the end of the submission deadline, staff will gather all submissions and submit to the newly formed Council for the 2026-2030 Term on what an 'Ideal Town' would look like for the youth. One youth will be chosen and invited to the inaugural meeting of Council to read their submission to the new Council and community! All youth who submitted an essay will be invited to the inaugural meeting of Council to meet Council and stay for the newly elected Council reception. 

Calling All Youth Artists - 'I Voted' Sticker Contest

The contest is now closed. Thank you to everyone who participated!

Calling All Youth Artists - 'I Voted' Sticker Contest

Enter Cobourg’s “I Voted” sticker contest for a chance to win a 2026 Municipal Election prize pack!

Every four (4) years, the Town of Cobourg holds an election to elect the Town's mayor, Deputy Mayor, Councillors and School Board Trustees.

We want you to design an “I Voted” sticker that will be available to the public, used on the election website and provided at the Voter Help Centres following Kiosk Voting. 

The following categories and youth can participate:

  1. Grades - JK to 6
  2. Grades - 7 to 8
  3. Grades 9 to 12 

* a winner will be selected from each category! (Also, all drawings will be highlighted)!

Looking to start drawing? Just fill out the Contest Submission Form below and then download the Artwork Template below and send to cobourgvotes@cobourg.ca.

How to Enter:

  1. ​Download the sticker template and draw your design. Think about what voting means to you when creating your design. Make sure you include the words 'I Voted' in your design. (shall not include any reference to any Candidate)
  2. If applicable for ages 13 and under ask a parent or guardian to help you scan or take a photo of your design and upload it using the submission form below by July 31, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. Please revie​w the submission guidelines and contest terms and conditions prior to completing your submission.

Your design could be featured in a Art Gallery of Northumberland (AGN) Exhibit located at Victoria Hall Cobourg:

All submissions will be highlighted and placed in a Art Gallery of Northumberland Exhibit with the winning submissions on main display. This will allow for the community to view each submission of talent and also highlight civic engagement within the community.

Winning 'I Voted' Stickers will be part of a Election Notice mail out to residents, which members of the public will be encouraged to vote and then share a picture of themselves wearing the 'I Voted' sticker through Social Media to get out the Vote!

Submission Guidelines and Contest Terms and Conditions:

  1. Participants must be 17 years of age or younger and must be a legal resident in the Town of Cobourg, Ontario.

  2. The contest begins and ends at the times specified by the Town of Cobourg. The Town reserves the right to modify, extend, or cancel any contest period at its sole discretion.

  3. Only one (1) entry allowed per participant.

  4. Participants must create their own original design directly on the circle space provided on the sticker template. Digitally created original designs are acceptable. Tracings, copied designs or licensed characters are not acceptable. The Use of AI is not recommended.

  5. Participants must have parent or legal guardian consent to enter the contest and complete the submission form.

  6. All participant entries become the property of the Town of Cobourg and may be displayed or distributed at Cobourg events and voter help centres in Cobourg, on any platforms as the Town may choose.

  7. Entries will be judged on theme, originality and design. Judges’ decisions are final, and the Town of Cobourg is under no obligation to enter into communication with participants who do not win prizes.

  8. The winner will be contacted via their email within five (5) business days of the contest closing. The winner must respond within 48 hours to accept their win. ​If a winner fails to respond within the specified timeframe, or is deemed ineligible, an alternate winner may be selected. A parent or legal guardian must provide written consent and accept the prize on the participant minor’s behalf.

  9. The winner will have their design printed on stickers distributed to the public during the 2026 Municipal Election. Winners will receive 50 copies of their sticker.

  10. Winning entries will be kept until 2030, as per the Town of Cobourg’s Records Retention By-law.

  11. By submitting, participants, through their parent or legal guardian, acknowledge that this is an original work and grant the Town of Cobourg the license to publish this work and participants’ personal information on whatever platform the Town chooses without any compensation to you, in its sole discretion. Participants retain ownership of the picture and moral rights.

  12. By submitting, participants and their parent or legal guardian are consenting to the collection of their personal information submitted for the purposes of the contest only and to receiving future electronic communications for this contest.

  13. Winners consent to having their name and image publicly announced and used in any promotional materials or news items resulting from the contest on any platforms as the Town of Cobourg may choose.

  14. By entering, participants, through their parent or legal guardian, agree to:

    (a) Comply with these Submission Guidelines, Terms & Conditions and the rules outlined in the contest announcement; and

    (b) Release and hold harmless the Town of Cobourg, its employees, elected officials, officers, agents, affiliates, and partners from any liability, injury, loss, or damage resulting from participation or prize acceptance.

  15. The Town of Cobourg reserves the right to:

    (a) Cancel, suspend, or modify the contest for any reason, including technical issues or fraud;

    (b) Disqualify any participant who violates these Submission Guidelines, Terms & Conditions, or rules outlined in the contest announcement, or attempts to tamper with the entry process; and

    (c) Verify the eligibility of any participant or winner.

  16. For more information, please contact the Town of Cobourg at cobourgvotes@cobourg.ca 

Municipal 'Local' Government: Questions & Answers

Municipal government is local, powerful, and connected to everyday life. Knowing how it works is the first step to civic participation!

Municipal government is the level of government that makes decisions about your local community, such as the roads your drive on, parks you play in, water you drink, and recreation areas you attend weeknights and weekends!

Because municipal decisions affect your daily life, from bus routes to skate parks, to beaches to streetlights and to housing and climate action.

An elected municipal council, elected every four (4) years made up of a mayor, deputy mayor and councillors chosen by voters in the community. This elected council works with staff to make decisions that are the best for the community as a whole. 

Council passes by‑laws (local level rule and regulations), approves budgets, sets priorities, and decides how services are delivered.

No, the mayor doesn't make all the decisions. Most decisions are made by a majority vote of council. The mayor has just one vote during council meetings, like everyone else.

Members of Council debate issues at meetings that are open to the public and then they vote on those issues. If most the members of Council vote yes, the decision passes.

A: No. Council sets direction and policy, but professional municipal staff handle day‑to‑day operations.

Mostly from property taxes and user fees, like recreation programs or stormwater fees. 

No. Municipal budgets must be balanced every year, which means councils must make careful choices.

Roads, snow clearing, water, parks, fire services, police, land‑use planning, recreation programs, and more.

In Ontario municipal elections are non‑partisan. Candidates do not run under political party names.

The entire community, not just the people who voted for them.

It depends on the municipality, but it often involves meetings, reading reports, committees, and community events. Currently, the Town of Cobourg Council is considered part-time. 

Yes. Most council meetings are public so residents can watch how decisions are made. On occasion, part of a meeting may be closed to the public. Those closed meeting times are reserved for confidential negotiations or speaking about specific persons whose privacy should be protected. 

Councillors must follow conflict‑of‑interest legislation, codes of conduct, and transparency rules and protocols. There are lots of other documents and legislation that must be followed, such as the Council meeting procedures, which is guided by the Chair of each meeting, and with the support of the Towns Municipal Clerk.  

Some decisions affect a community for decades, especially those about infrastructure, housing, and growth.

Yes! Young people can attend meetings, join youth councils when avilable, volunteer, and learn how local government works.

Understanding local government helps you become an informed present and future voter, advocate for what you would like to see shape the community you live in, and how to become a future leader.

How to Get Involved As A Youth in Cobourg - Prepare to be a Future Voter or Candidate

You don’t have to be old enough to vote to be involved in Cobourg’s local government. Here are real ways young people can participate, learn, and make an impact in their community!

You can learn how Cobourg makes decisions!

Understanding how local government works is the first step to being heard.

As a youth you can start now to share your ideas and concerns for your community!

Youth voices are an important part of community decisions.

Look to join or participate in a Cobourg Town Task Force or Advisory Committee or community based Youth Group!

  • Ask the Town about youth engagement opportunities that could be considered in local decision making. Ask if youth are being considered! Currently there are no youth advisory committees in Cobourg...should there be?
  • Participate in community or school‑based leadership programs, or look to start your own, with a focus on local municipal partnerships how how they effect the youth everyday.
  • Get involved with local organizations that work with youth in Cobourg, Sustainable Cobourg, local historical society!

These experiences build confidence, leadership skills, and civic awareness.

Take an opportunity to attend or watch Cobourg or Northumberland Council Meetings!

  • Council meetings are open to the public to watch in person or online! You can watch them live, or later on at your own pace and interest!
  • Watching meetings helps you understand how decisions are debated and made. Maybe even ask to be part of the meeting, provide comments on what your seeing and hearing, how does a particular issue effect the youth?!
  • You’ll learn what local issues Cobourg is focused on right now as there is always a specific topic that is effecting the community each meeting at a standing committee or regular council. 

Seeing local democracy in action makes it easier to imagine your own role in it.

Take a chance to volunteer in the Cobourg community!

  • Volunteer at local events, festivals, or community programs! Cobourg in the summer is packed with local events and festivals! See what makes a community and how residents are giving back!
  • Support organizations connected to recreation, arts, culture, or the environment. These community organizations help keep specific local priorities at the forefront and helps to provide expert opinions to Council on local issues!
  • Build experience while helping improve Cobourg!

Community involvement strengthens both résumés and neighbourhoods.

Get ready for voting age, it’s never to early to start to consider your future role in choosing who forms local government!

  • Start now to learn who can vote in municipal elections.
  • Talk with family and friends about local issues, and how those issues effect or decide how they vast their vote.
  • Stay informed so you’re ready when you become eligible. Making time now to understand, helps to inform your vote and be prepared to participate in local democracy!

Voting is one way residents help choose Cobourg’s future leaders.

Start thinking about leadership early – maybe you want to help directly shape your community!

  • Municipal local leadership starts with caring about your community and doing all of the parts spoken about in the above sections.
  • Members that make up a local council come from many backgrounds not just politics. Municipal Council can be a lot of work, and work that is second to a career or school, thus being embraced in the community can help. Council members can be schoolteachers, welders, accountants, scientists, and retail owners!
  • Today’s youth are tomorrow’s decision‑makers, and those that will lead with the decisions that are made today!

Learning now builds confidence for future involvement. - Check-out the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) resources including a specific guide to youth councillors. 

“Local Government in Our Community” A colouring activity for Younger Future Voters!

Local Municipal Government Colouring Pages

Contact Us

Town of Cobourg
55 King Street West
Cobourg, ON  K9A 2M2

Phone: 905-372-4301
Toll Free: 1-888-972-4301