The election was held in conjunction with those held other municipalities of Ontario. In the mayoral race, incumbent mayor Jeff Lehman was re-elected with 90.97% of the popular vote. There were 38 candidates running for 10 city councillor positions – three councillors were re-elected, one was acclaimed, and six wards saw new councillors.
Voter turnout was at an all-time low at 29.65% of registered voters. Turnout would later increase in 2022 up to 30.45%.[2]
There were two candidates for Mayor of Barrie: perennial candidate Ram Faerber and incumbent Jeff Lehman. The mayoral election had 11 declined ballots.[1]
Jeff Lehman was the incumbent Mayor of Barrie, first elected in 2010 and seeking a third term. He announced his intentions to run in March, campaigning for a "strong economy, strong society and strong neighbourhoods" for the city.[7]
Each of Barrie's 10 wards had elected a councillor to the Barrie City Council. Incumbent Sergio Morales was acclaimed as councillor for Ward 9, something that only happened twice in the last 20 years.[8]
A by-election was held on February 24, 2020, in Ward 3 to fill the vacancy of Doug Shipley, who was elected to the House of Commons. Ann-Marie Kungl, who ran unsuccessfully in Ward 1 in 2018, was elected councillor.[9]
Ward 3 Councillor
Candidate
Votes
%
Stephen James Ciesielski
19
1.03
Ram Faerber
105
5.70
Ann-Marie Kungl
542
29.42
Gerry Marshall
176
9.55
Kelly Patterson McGrath
234
12.70
Tanya Saari
427
23.18
Devin Scully
308
16.72
Peter Silveira
31
1.68
The by-election also saw the return of Ram Faerber, Tanya Saari, and Peter Silveira, who ran for mayor, Ward 3, and Ward 5, respectively, in 2018.