With just hours remaining before Ottawa’s municipal election, mayoral candidates are making their final pitches to voters, while residents across the capital prepare to have their say. For some, that decision has already been made. Others are looking forward to the tradition of heading to the polls on election day, while some residents say they have no plans to participate. Moira and Leslie White have called Vanier home for more than four decades and are among those waiting until Monday to cast their ballots. “I kind of like to leave it until election day. I find there’s a bit of a buzz,” Moira told CTV News Ottawa. After 41 years living in the neighbourhood, the couple says municipal issues remain important to them, including public transit, housing, homelessness and drug use. “Certainly homelessness and the drug use are huge, and I would like to see some sort of a compassionate solution found,” Moira said. But while the Whites are looking forward to voting, not everyone in their neighbourhood shares that enthusiasm. In the 2022 municipal election, Rideau-Vanier recorded the lowest voter turnout of Ottawa’s 24 wards, with 12,864 ballots cast by 34,574 eligible voters, or 37.18 per cent. Lorraine Cusson, who also lives in Vanier, says she doesn’t plan to vote in Monday’s municipal election. “Because they make promises and they don’t keep them. And you’re stuck with them for God knows how long,” Cusson said. Across town in Kitchissippi ward, voter participation was considerably higher four years ago. The ward recorded Ottawa’s highest turnout in 2022, with 15,693 ballots cast by 29,621 eligible voters, representing 52.98 per cent. For Kitchissippi resident Patricia Turner, casting a ballot has been a lifelong commitment. “Since I’ve been 21, I’ve been voting in every election because I think it’s important,” Turner said. She voted early this year, with concerns about public transit, homelessness, and support for food banks among the issues on her mind. Turner says residents should participate in the democratic process if they want to see changes in their communities. “It’s important because you can get out and criticize all you want afterwards. But if you haven’t made a vote or haven’t tried, so be it.” Advance voting increases across Ottawa While thousands of residents are preparing to vote Monday, more Ottawa voters have already cast their ballots in advance compared with the last municipal election. According to figures provided by the city, 86,592 residents voted during five advance voting days this year, compared with 79,491 across six advance voting days in 2022. That’s an increase of 7,101 voters, or approximately 8.9 per cent, despite one fewer advance voting day. The 2026 total includes 27,553 people who voted during the four special advance voting days from Oct. 1 to 4, and another 59,039 who cast their ballots on Oct. 16. For Orléans resident Debbie Macri, voting early was a matter of convenience. “I’m working on election day so I wouldn’t be in my riding,” Macri said, explaining why she cast her ballot in advance. Macri described the process as straightforward, saying she was able to cast her ballot in just a few minutes. She says participating is important, particularly for residents who want a say in how the city operates. What voters need to know for Monday Ottawa’s municipal election takes place Monday Oct. 26, with polling stations open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., except for certain retirement homes and institutions that may have different voting hours. Eligible residents can cast ballots for mayor, their ward councillor, and the appropriate school board trustee. Voters must attend their assigned polling location, which can be found on their voter notification letter or through the city’s website at Ottawa.ca/vote. Residents must bring identification showing their name and qualifying Ottawa address. Photo identification is not required. Those who aren’t registered to vote can add themselves to the voters’ list at their assigned polling station, while residents without acceptable identification can make a statutory declaration before receiving a ballot. In a statement to CTV News Ottawa on Sunday, City Clerk Caitlin Salter MacDonald said election officials are ready for Monday. “The Elections Office is well prepared to support electors on Monday, October 26, and is ready to deliver the municipal election,” the statement reads. The city is also reminding residents who requested mail-in ballots that they may still have an opportunity to vote. According to the Elections Office, 5,511 special mail-in ballot kits were issued, but only 2,957 were received by the Oct. 16 deadline. Following a review, the city identified 2,494 electors whose kits had not been received by the deadline and who had not voted during advance polling. Those residents were contacted by the city and advised that they can still cast a ballot in person Monday, provided they have not already voted. The city expects unofficial election results to be available by 11 p.m. Monday.
