Ottawa municipal election set for October 26 with early voting starting October 1

Ottawa's municipal election will take place on October 26, with voters choosing a mayor, city councillors and school board trustees. The race is locked in: 181 candidates met the August 21 nomination deadline and have been certified to run.

Electors have multiple ways to cast their ballot. Special advance voting runs October 1-4, with another advance voting day on October 16. On election day itself, October 26, polls will be open at standard hours.

For those unable to vote in person, the city offers two alternatives: voting by proxy or casting a special mail-in ballot. Accessible voting options—magnifying sheets, braille candidate lists, and large-print ballots—will be available at every polling location.

In Stittsville (Ward 6), nine candidates are running for the council seat, including former Stittsville Business Association president Abbie Sizer McIntosh. For mayor, 14 candidates have put their names forward citywide, including incumbent Jeff Leiper and challengers Mark Sutcliffe, Alex Lawson, and Neil Saravanamuttoo.

The city is also hosting a local candidate debate in Stittsville on Thursday, September 17, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Stittsville United Church, giving residents a chance to hear from and question candidates in person before the election.