Ottawa will not offer online voting in the 2026 municipal election
City staff advised against it in March, and Ottawa voters will cast ballots in person or by mail on October 26.
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Ottawa voters will not be able to cast ballots online in the October 26 municipal election. CBC reported on October 19 that the City of Ottawa has no plans to adopt internet voting, even as several neighbouring municipalities offer it for the first time this year.
City staff advised against online voting in a report presented to the finance and corporate services committee in March 2026. The report stated that there are no provincial standards for certifying online voting systems, and that there is no way to recount ballots or qualify voter lists produced by such a system, CBC reported.
Ottawa voters can cast ballots in two ways: in person at a polling station on October 26, or by mail. The City introduced mail-in ballots in 2022. According to CBC, almost all of Ottawa's previous municipal elections were decided by in-person ballots.
Neighbouring municipalities are taking a different path
Several eastern Ontario cities and towns have adopted online voting in 2026. CBC compiled data from the Association of Municipalities of Ontario showing that Belleville, Brockville, Carleton Place, Clarence-Rockland, Pembroke, and Renfrew now offer internet voting. Kingston has offered it since 2014.
Cornwall, Ont., is offering online voting for the first time in 2026. City elections lead Denise Labelle-Gelinas told CBC the decision followed a 2022 municipal election in which voter turnout sat at 28 per cent. The goal was to make voting easier for youth and seniors. CBC reported that more than 1,300 votes were processed in the first five days of Cornwall's internet voting period.
On security, Labelle-Gelinas told CBC that the city can track the IP address of users accessing the portal, and that each voter's PIN must match their date of birth to gain entry.
What Ottawa voters need to know
Advance polls in Ottawa have closed. The final chance to vote is October 26, 2026. Polls are open 10 am to 8 pm. Voters who requested mail-in ballots must return them by the deadline set by the City Clerk's office.
You can find candidate information for the mayor race and all 24 wards at the Ottawa 2026 election candidates page.
Questions this story answers
Can I vote online in the 2026 Ottawa municipal election?
No. Ottawa is not offering online voting in 2026. CBC reported on October 19, 2026 that the City of Ottawa has no plans to implement an online voting system. Ottawa voters can cast ballots in person at a polling station or by mail. Voting day is October 26, 2026.
Why did Ottawa decide not to offer internet voting?
City staff advised against online voting in a report presented to the finance and corporate services committee in March 2026. The report said there are no provincial standards for certifying online voting systems and no way to recount ballots or qualify voter lists, according to CBC.
Do other Ontario municipalities offer online voting in 2026?
Yes. Several nearby municipalities do offer online voting. CBC reported that Cornwall, Belleville, Brockville, Carleton Place, Clarence-Rockland, Pembroke, and Renfrew all offer internet voting, based on data from the Association of Municipalities of Ontario. Kingston has offered online voting since 2014.
How did Cornwall perform with internet voting in 2026?
Cornwall offered online voting for the first time in 2026. CBC reported that more than 1,300 votes were processed in the first five days of Cornwall's internet voting. The city introduced the option after voter turnout in the 2022 municipal election sat at 28 per cent.
When was mail-in voting introduced in Ottawa?
Ottawa introduced a mail-in ballot option in 2022, according to CBC. Before that, almost all Ottawa municipal elections were decided by ballots cast in person. Mail-in voting remains available in 2026.
When is the last day to vote in Ottawa's 2026 municipal election?
Voting day is October 26, 2026. Advance polling ran from October 1 to 4 and on October 16. If you missed advance voting, you can vote in person at your polling station on October 26 or submit a mail-in ballot by the deadline set by the City Clerk.
Where can I find information about voting places in Ottawa?
The City of Ottawa's elections office lists polling stations and their hours. Voting day is October 26, 2026, with polls open from 10 am to 8 pm. You can also find candidate and race information at the Ottawa election page on this site: /on/ottawa-2026/candidates.
What security concerns exist with online voting?
The City of Ottawa's March 2026 report to its finance and corporate services committee said there are no provincial standards for certifying online voting systems and no way to recount online ballots or qualify voter lists, according to CBC. Cornwall, which is using internet voting in 2026, told CBC it can track IP addresses and that each voter's PIN must match their date of birth to access the system.
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