2026 Municipal Election Voting Methods

When you cast your ballot, what voting method do you prefer?

Please note: This engagement is for the 2026 Municipal Election. It is not associated with the recent Provincial election or upcoming Federal election.

The City of Peterborough is engaging with residents to learn about preferences on voting methods - what voting methods residents prefer to use to cast their ballots in an election. This information will assist City Council in choosing the formats and technologies to use in the upcoming 2026 Municipal and School Board Elections. A report with recommendations on the 2026 Municipal Election administration will be presented for City Council's consideration.

The next municipal election will take place on Monday, October 26, 2026.

For the 2022 Municipal Election, the City of Peterborough offered in-person voting and online voting. When casting their ballots in the 2022 Municipal Election, 69.2% of voters in the City of Peterborough used online voting.

When considering voting methods, the following factors are essential and need to be incorporated into the voting method:

• Security and confidentiality: Ensuring the security of the voting system and confidentiality of the vote are critical for maintaining the integrity of the electoral process.
• Integrity and verifiability: It is essential to preserve the integrity of the voting process and that the results accurately reflect the votes cast by the electorate.
• Accessibility: The voting process needs to be accessible to all eligible voters and candidates, eliminating barriers to participation.

Articles under the "Background" section below provide an overview of the various voting methods being used by municipalities in Ontario.