The CTV News Ottawa mayoral debate is Wednesday, Oct. 14 at 10 a.m. Watch on CTVNewsOttawa.ca, listen on Newstalk 580 CFRA and watch on the Newstalk 580 CFRA YouTube Channel. Ottawa voters will have one day next week to vote in advance of the Oct. 26 municipal election, one fewer day for in-person advance voting compared to the 2022 election. The City of Ottawa hosted four Special Advance Voting Days between Oct. 1 and 4 and will hold an Advance Voting Day on Oct. 16. Election day is Monday, Oct. 26. In 2022, the City of Ottawa hosted four Special Advance Voting Days and two Advance Voting Days, along with the vote on election day. City Clerk Caitlin Salter MacDonald tells CTV News Ottawa the second Advance Voting Day held in 2022 was in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and Ottawa Public’s Health “recommendations to help distribute voter turnout and support physical distancing at voting places.” “In advance of the 2026 Municipal Elections, the Elections Office completed a thorough review of election processes, legislative requirements, and key election dates to establish a voting schedule that provides equitable access for electors while ensuring the election can be administered effectively and efficiently across the city,” Salter MacDonald said in a statement. The City of Ottawa hosted Special Advance Voting at 10 locations in Ottawa last weekend, compared to voting at nine locations during Special Advance Voting in 2022. “Together with Voting Day on October 26, electors have a total of six in-person voting days to cast their ballot,” Salter McDonald said. “Electors can also appoint a proxy to vote on their behalf and had the opportunity to vote by mail if they applied between September 1 and 15. These voting options provided multiple convenient opportunities for eligible electors to participate in the 2026 Municipal Elections.” A total of 27,553 votes were cast during the four days of Special Advance Voting between Oct. 1 and 4, compared to 18,876 votes cast during Special Advance Voting Days in 2022 and 15,703 ballots cast during Special Advance Voting Days in 2018. The city reported 60,615 votes were cast during the two Advance Voting Days in 2022. In 2018, 41,163 people cast a ballot during the Advance Voting Day for the municipal election.
