Frequently Asked Questions

Below you will find some frequently asked questions and answers about the Municipal Election. If you need more information or to request accessibility accommodations, contact the Municipal Election team at 519-759-4150 or election@brantford.ca.

Voting and Voters

When is the next Municipal Election?

The next Municipal Election is Monday, October 26, 2026. Please visit our Polling Stations page for specific dates and voting locations.

Who can vote?

On Election Day, Monday, October 26, 2026, you must be:

A resident of the City of Brantford or be the owner or tenant of land in the City or the spouse of such owner or tenant of property in the City;
A citizen of Canada;
At least 18 years old; and
Not prohibited from voting under any law.

Sec. 17(3) of the Municipal Election Act, 1996, as amended, states that the following persons are prohibited from voting:

A person who is serving a sentence of imprisonment in a penal or correctional institution
A corporation
A person acting as executor or trustee or in any other representative capacity, except as a voting proxy in accordance with section 44

A person who was convicted of the corrupt practice described in subsection 90 (3), if voting day in the current election is less than four years after voting day in the election in respect to which he or she was convicted

Is my name on the Voters' List?

Check your voter registration online using Elections Ontario’s Voter Registration Portal. You can:

Confirm you are on the Voters’ List
Update your information
Add or remove your name or property details

After access to Elections Ontario’s portal ends on August 12, 2026, you can update your Voters’ List information in person at City Hall (58 Dalhousie Street), Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

You can change your school support designation through the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) until June 1, 2026. Updates made by this date will apply to the October 2026 municipal and school board elections.

What if my name is not on the Voters’ List or my information is incorrect?

How do I add or update my information on the Voters’ List?

You can add yourself to the Voters’ List or update your details (name, property address, or school support) through Elections Ontario’s Voter Registration Portal. After access to Elections Ontario’s portal ends on August 12, 2026, you can update your Voters’ List information in person at City Hall (58 Dalhousie Street), Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Can I update someone else’s information?

No. Electors can only add or update their own information.

How do I update my school support designation?

School support changes must be made through MPAC by June 1, 2026, for the October 2026 municipal and school board elections.

What if Elections Ontario’s portal is no longer available?

After access to Elections Ontario’s portal ends on August 12, 2026, you can update your Voters List information in person at City Hall (58 Dalhousie Street), Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

I added my name to the Voters' List during the last election. Why is my name not on the list?

Elections Ontario is responsible for preparing the 2026 preliminary list of electors used for municipal and school board elections in Ontario. You can use Election Ontario’s Voter Registration to check, update, add or remove your voter information and/or property from the voters list or submit a paper application form. Alternatively, if you have specific questions about the compilation of the Voters' List, you can contact Elections Ontario at 1-866-242-3025 or info@RegistertoVoteON.ca.

MPAC continues to manage school support designations for school board elections in 2026. To have your school support updated for the October 2026 election, submit your change to MPAC by June 1, 2026.

I have multiple properties in the City. Can I vote more than once?

No. You are only entitled to one vote, even if you have more than one property. If you live in one ward and have properties in other wards, you may only vote in the ward in which your primary residence is located.

What if I am a student and only live in Brantford while attending school?

If you are temporarily residing in the City of Brantford while attending school, you are allowed to vote if your name appears on the Voters’ List. Students wishing to register as a voter in Brantford may come to City Hall where a customer service representative can add them to the list. Students will need to bring ID that contains their name and their Brantford address (a University residence agreement, piece of mail or a lease would all be acceptable). You may also vote in the municipality where your permanent home is, provided that you have not abandoned the family home.

Who am I voting for?

The following is a list of positions available for Council and School Board seats for which you will be voting on:

1 Mayor
2 (Councillors in your ward (10 will be elected in total across all wards)

School Trustees, depending on your school support:

Grand Erie District School Board - 4 Trustees or
Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board - 2 Trustees or
Conseil scolaire Viamonde - 1 Trustee or
Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir - 1 Trustee

If you or your spouse are non-resident owners or tenants of land assessed as commercial or industrial, you will be voting for: 1 Mayor, 2 Councillors in your ward, and will not be voting for school board trustee positions.

What is my school support?

Your school support is based on which board your school taxes are directed towards. School support can go to one of the following within Brantford:

Grand Erie District School Board (public)
Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board (must be Roman Catholic)
Conseil scolaire Viamonde (must have French Language rights)

Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir (must have French Language rights and be Roman Catholic)

When can I vote?

Election Day is Monday, October 26, 2026. Voting locations are open from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Advanced Voting will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. from October 15 to, October 18 at both the Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre and City Hall

Online voting will also be available to all voters from Tuesday, October 13, at 10:00 p.m. to Election Day on Monday, October 26 at 8:00 p.m.

If you are unable to vote in-person during the advance voting days, on Election Day, or online, you can appoint a voting proxy to vote for you.

Where do I vote?

Electors can cast their ballot at any voting location in their ward or vote online.

What will happen when I go to vote?

Once inside the voting place you will be directed to the next available election official, who will ask for your identification, locate your name on the Voters’ List, cross your name off the list, and issue a ballot specific to your declared school support. They will review the instructions on the proper way to mark the ballot and direct you to a voting screen where you will mark your ballot. Once you have marked your ballot, you will take it to the Deputy Returning Officer and wait until your ballot has been processed through the vote tabulator and is deposited into the ballot box. You will then promptly leave the voting place.

What should I take with me to vote?

Voters will be required to provide proof of identity and residency. Even with the Voter Notification Card you will be receiving from the City Clerk's Office the following documentation will be required prior to voting.

An Ontario driver’s licence.
An Ontario Photo Card.
An Ontario motor vehicle permit (vehicle portion).
A cancelled personalized cheque.
A mortgage statement, lease or rental agreement relating to property in Ontario.
An insurance policy or insurance statement.
A loan agreement or other financial agreement with a financial institution.
A document issued or certified by a court in Ontario.
Any other document from the government of Canada, Ontario or a municipality in Ontario or from an agency of such a government.
Any document from a Band Council in Ontario established under the Indian Act (Canada).
An income tax assessment notice.
A Child Tax Benefit Statement.
A Statement of Employment Insurance Benefits Paid T4E.
A Statement of Old Age Security T4A (OAS).
A Statement of Canada Pension Plan Benefits T4A (P).
A Canada Pension Plan Statement of Contributions.
A Statement of Direct Deposit for Ontario Works.
A Statement of Direct Deposit for Ontario Disability Support Program.
A Workplace Safety and Insurance Board Statement of Benefits T5007.
A property tax assessment.
A credit card statement, bank account statement, or RRSP, RRIF, RHOSP or T5 statement.
A CNIB Card or a card from another registered charitable organization that provides services to persons with disabilities.
A hospital card or record.
A document showing campus residence, issued by the office or officials responsible for student residence at a post-secondary institution.
A document showing residence at a long-term care home under the Long-Term Care Homes Act, 2007, issued by the Administrator for the home.
A utility bill for hydro, water, gas, telephone or cable TV or a bill from a public utilities commission.
A cheque stub, T4 statement or pay receipt issued by an employer.
A transcript or report card from a post-secondary school.

For additional options contact the Municipal Election team at 519-759-4150 or election@brantford.ca.

How is my ballot counted?

Poll level electronic vote tabulators will be used to count the ballots as each voting location. All the votes are electronically counted, and results will be produced as soon as possible following the close of polls at 8:00 p.m. on October 26.

Can I cast a blank ballot?

Yes.

How do I mark the ballot?

You vote by marking an X in the box directly to the right of the name of the candidate of your choice with the pen provided.

Will my ballot still be counted if I only vote for one candidate?

Yes.

What if I make a mistake when marking my ballot?

If you make a mistake or change your mind about which candidate you want to vote for, simply return the ballot to the election official. They will cancel the ballot and issue another one to you. If you have any questions about how to properly mark the ballot, any of the election officials will be happy to explain it to you.

What if I am in line when the voting place closes?

If you are inside the voting place or in the line to vote prior to closing time at 8:00 p.m., you will be allowed to vote.

How do I find my voting place?

For electors who have received a Voter Information Letter, a list of eligible voting locations is located at the bottom of the letter.

On voting days, the voting locations will be identified by signage. In the case of a large voting place, such as a school or community centre, additional signs will be placed outside to direct you to the voting room. If the accessible entrance is different from the general entrance, special signage will direct you to the alternate entrance.

Where can I see the election results?

Soon after polls close at 8:00 p.m. on Voting Day, local radio and television stations will begin to broadcast results. Results will also made available online.

How do I become an election worker?

Information about each position is currently available online the Staffing Opportunities page.

Who can I contact for more information?

Our Municipal Election team will be happy to assist you with any questions you may have about anything pertaining to the Municipal Election. Please call 519-759-4150, or email Election@brantford.ca.

Voting Proxy

Who needs to complete the proxy form?

The person selecting (appointing) the proxy voter must complete Sections A, B, and C of Appointment of Voting Proxy – Form 3
Section C must be witnessed.
If Sections A, B, and C are completed and witnessed in advance, only the appointed proxy needs to attend the office.
The appointed proxy must complete Section D (a declaration) and have their signature witnessed by the Clerk or designate.
Two copies of the form must be completed.

Who can be appointed?

Any eligible elector may be appointed as a voting proxy.

How many times can an elector be appointed?

A person may act as a proxy for only one elector, except where the proxy and the elector are:

spouses or siblings
parent and child
grandparent and grandchild

How does an elector appoint a proxy?

A person appointed as a voting proxy must:

complete Appointment of Voting Proxy – Form 3 including a statutory declaration confirming they are the appointed proxy; and
present the application and the appointing document to the Clerk (or designate) in person at the Clerk’s office, or another location designated by the Clerk.

Applications may be presented at any time the Clerk’s office (or designated location) is open. The form must be signed by the Clerk or designate.

What a proxy must bring to the voting location?

The appointed proxy must present the completed Appointment of Voting Proxy – Form 3. The proxy will also be required to take an oral oath at the voting location before receiving a proxy ballot.

Can a proxy also vote using their own ballot?

Yes. If the proxy and the elector are in the same ward, the proxy will be issued two ballots. If they are in different wards, the proxy will need to attend the appropriate voting locations to vote both ballots.

Candidates and Third Party Advertisements

Where do I get information about being a candidate?

All information regarding nominations and becoming a candidate can be found on the Candidates page.

What is a third party advertisement?

A third party advertisement is a message in any medium (print, broadcast, electronic platform, etc.) that supports or opposes a candidate or a “yes” or “no” question on the ballot.

Third party advertising does not include issue-based advertising, or advertising that does not incur a cost.

Third party advertisements cannot be made by or under the direction of a candidate.

Third party advertisements must include:

The name of the registered third party
The municipality where the third party is registered
A telephone number, mailing address or email address at which the registered third party may be contacted regarding the advertisement

Who can register as a third party advertiser?

Only the following are eligible to register as a third party advertiser:

an individual who is normally resident in Ontario
a corporation that carries on business in Ontario
a trade union that holds bargaining rights for employees in Ontario

The following are not eligible to be a registered third party:

a nominated candidate
a federal political party registered under the Canada Elections Act (Canada) or any federal constituency association or registered candidate at a federal election endorsed by that party
a provincial political party, constituency association, registered candidate or leadership contestant registered under the Election Finances Act
the Crown in right of Canada or Ontario, a municipality or local board

This information can be found in Section 88.6 of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996. You can also check the Third Party Advertisements page for more information.

Are there financial rules for third party advertisers?

Yes, most of the campaign finance rules that apply to candidates also apply to registered third party advertisers. This includes spending limits and contribution limits for those wishing to contribute to a third party.
Corporations and unions may also make contributions to third party advertisers but are not permitted to contribute to a candidate’s campaign.

Accessibility

Are all voting locations accessible?

Yes, all voting places are accessible to all electors. If you have any concerns regarding your voting location’s accessibility, do not hesitate to call the Municipal Election team at 519-759-4150.

If I cannot mark my ballot on my own, can I ask for assistance or bring a friend to help me?

Yes. If you are unable to mark your ballot on your own, you can ask any of the election officials for assistance or you may bring a friend. You must swear an oath that you require assistance, and your friend must swear an oath that they will vote as you instructed them to.

I am visually impaired. How can I vote?

There will be electronic ballot machines available at each location on advance voting days. On Election Day, visually impaired voters may vote at City Hall. Electors who require this option will hear the ballot read over the set of headphones provided and indicate their choice by pressing a hand-held button.

Do you provide interpreters?

No. Anyone requiring an interpreter must make their own arrangements.

Can I bring an interpreter with me?

Yes. You may ask anyone who is not a candidate or scrutineer to act as an interpreter for you. They must swear an oath that they will faithfully translate any communication between you and the election officials. Interpreters may not go behind the voting screen or assist you in voting.

Is parking available at all voting locations?

Yes, in varying degrees. Some locations have ample parking, while others may have limited space or on-street parking available. You can minimize parking difficulties by walking, taking public transit, or voting during non-peak times. The peak voting times are first thing in the morning (10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon) and after 5:00 p.m.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Voting and Voters

Voting Proxy

Candidates and Third Party Advertisements

Accessibility

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