How to vote in Ottawa's municipal election, and other Election Day things you need to know

Voters in Ottawa are heading to the polls today.

Months of campaigning, debates, and door knocking have all lead to this evening, when the 2026 Ottawa election votes will be counted.

The citizens of Ottawa will elect 22 councillors and a mayor today. (Two wards will have their councillors return after no one signed up to oppose them.)

Will Mark Sutcliffe get a second term in office? Will one of his three main challengers usurp the chain of office? The city will find out tonight.

Starting at 5 p.m., we’ll be providing live updates right here, so you can follow along as our team of reporters fans out across the city to cover election night from where it matters most — on the ground.

Read our in-depth features about the four leading candidates: Mark Sutcliffe, Jeff Leiper, Neil Saravanamuttoo, and Alex Lawson.

Polling stations across the city will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Each voter will be required to show a piece of identification to receive a ballot, which must show your name and address. Photo identification is not required.

If an eligible voter cannot present an acceptable proof of identity and address, they will be required to make a statutory declaration before a ballot is issued.

Voters can also search for their voting place and can get more information and resources at ottawa.ca/vote or by calling 311 or the Elections Office at 613-580-2660.

For more information, see our full Election Guide 

Wondering how late you need to stay up tonight?

Elections Ottawa said unofficial results will be available soon after polls close “and will be updated frequently until all results have been tabulated.”

The majority of results are expected within one hour of the voting station closing, and, based on past elections, all results will likely be received by 10:30 p.m.

Stick with us though election night as we bring you all the results from across the city. We’ll have reporters in every contested riding across the city, and at all the parties for the leading mayoral campaigns.

We’ll be going live at 5 p.m. so be sure to join us for everything you need to know about the Ottawa 2026 municipal election.