Ottawa advance voting closes Friday at 8 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 16 is the last chance to cast an advance ballot before voting day on Oct. 26. Polls open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at assigned ward locations.
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Friday, October 16 is the final advance voting day in Ottawa's 2026 municipal election, CBC News reported on October 15. Polling stations will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The advance voting day follows special advance voting days held from October 1 to 4. After Friday, the next opportunity to vote is on election day, October 26.
Where and how to vote
On October 16, you must vote at your assigned voting place within your ward. The same rule applies on voting day, October 26. You can find your assigned location through the city's voting location tool at ottawa.ca, or on the voter notification letter you may have received by mail.
When you arrive, you will need one piece of identification showing your name and address. The voter notification letter is not required, but it is helpful to bring. If your name is not on the voters' list, election staff can add it on the spot using forms available at the polling station.
Your ballot will list the candidates running in your ward. You fill in the oval next to each choice. If you make a mistake, you can return the ballot to the worker who gave it to you.
Mail-in ballot deadline
If you applied for a mail-in ballot, the completed kit must be received by 8 p.m. on Friday. You can deliver it in person to the Elections Ottawa office at 1221 Cyrville Rd., or to city client service centres, which accept kits from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mail-in ballot applications are now closed.
Who can vote
To vote in Ottawa's election, you must be at least 18 years old, a Canadian citizen, and a resident, owner or tenant of land in the city, or the spouse of an owner or tenant. Students who live and study in Ottawa but whose permanent address is in another city are also eligible.
If you cannot get to a polling station yourself, you can appoint a proxy to vote on your behalf. The deadline to register a proxy is 4:30 p.m. on election day, October 26.
A full guide to Ottawa's candidates is at /on/ottawa-2026/candidates. Voting day is October 26.
Questions this story answers
When is Ottawa's advance voting day?
Friday, October 16, 2026 is the advance voting day, according to CBC News reporting on October 15. Polling stations will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. This is the last opportunity to vote before voting day on October 26.
What are the hours for advance voting in Ottawa?
Polling stations will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on the advance voting day, according to CBC. Voting places in long-term care facilities or other institutions may have reduced hours on October 16.
Where do I vote on advance voting day in Ottawa?
On October 16 and on voting day October 26, you must vote at your assigned voting place within your ward, according to CBC. You can find your voting location on the voter notification letter you may have received by mail, or by using the city's voting location tool at ottawa.ca.
What ID do I need to vote in Ottawa?
You need to bring one piece of identification that shows your name and address, according to the CBC report. Your voter notification letter is helpful to bring along but is not required. The City of Ottawa has a full list of accepted identification on its website at ottawa.ca.
Do I need a voter notification card to vote?
No. The voter notification letter you may have received in the mail is not required to vote, according to CBC. Bring any government-issued identification showing your name and address. Election staff at the polling station can add your name to the voters' list if it is missing.
Can I still return a mail-in ballot on Friday?
Yes. Mail-in ballot kits must be received by 8 p.m. on Friday, October 16, according to CBC. You can bring them to the Elections Ottawa office at 1221 Cyrville Rd., or to city client service centres from 8:30 a.m. until 8 p.m. Mail-in ballot applications are now closed, so no new applications are accepted.
Who is eligible to vote in the Ottawa municipal election?
To vote, you must be at least 18 years old, a Canadian citizen, and a resident, owner or tenant of land in Ottawa, or the spouse of one, according to CBC. Students who live and study in Ottawa but have a permanent address in another city are also eligible to vote.
Can someone else vote on my behalf?
Yes. You can appoint a proxy to vote on your behalf, according to CBC. The deadline to appoint a proxy is 4:30 p.m. on election day, October 26. The City of Ottawa website has information on how to register a proxy.
When is voting day in Ottawa?
Voting day in Ottawa is Monday, October 26, 2026. Polls open at 10 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. You must vote at your assigned location within your ward on that day, the same rule as on advance voting day on October 16. Voting places in long-term care facilities may have reduced hours.
What are candidates running for in the Ottawa 2026 election?
Voters choose the mayor, one councillor in each of 24 wards, and school board trustees for four boards: the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board, the Ottawa Catholic School Board, the Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est, and the Conseil des écoles publiques de l'Est de l'Ontario.
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