The City of Hamilton will offer a record number of advance polling dates, expanded community polls, and ballot-on-demand voting at post-secondary institutions ahead of the October 26 municipal election.
“We’ll be offering 60 advance community polls—targeted voting locations within large buildings that typically serve seniors’ or equity-deserving groups,” Elections Project Manager Dave Michal told the Seniors Advisory Committee on Friday. “Additionally, there will be 15 advance polls operating over six days in late September and October.”
This represents a near tripling of community polling locations compared to the 2022 election.
Advance polls will operate between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. during the first three weekends of October (October 3–4, 10–11, and 17–18). Community polls within apartment buildings, seniors’ residences, and community service locations will be held on September 26 and 27. Voters may cast ballots at any advance or community polling location within their ward.
Special advance voting will be available at City Hall between October 16 and 23.
Ballot-on-demand voting at McMaster University, Mohawk College, and Redeemer University will be held in early October, with specific dates to be announced. The City states it is planning for the week before the Thanksgiving holiday. These locations will accept voters from anywhere in the City. The City is considering offering ballot-on-demand voting at additional sites.
For the October 26 election day vote, Hamiltonians will be able to vote at any polling location within their ward, similar to how the recent Ward 8 by-election was conducted.
The City is following a 65-point check list for choosing voting locations, For the October 26 election day vote, Hamiltonians will be able to vote at any polling location within their ward—a first implemented during the recent Ward 8 by-election.
Michal stated the City is changing a location in Dundas from Sir William Osler School, which “rests on a very large hill, so anyone choosing to walk to this site – seniors in particular, or anyone with any challenges -would find difficulty in climbing this hill” to nearby St. Bernadette School.
City Clerk Matthew Trennum, with support from City Manager Marnie Cluckie, will redeploy approximately 1,100 City of Hamilton employees to staff polling stations on election day. These employees will receive extra training on election procedures.
These measures directly address the 2022 election failures, when poor planning and preparation resulted in city-wide problems that forced the City to declare an emergency under Section 53 of the Municipal Elections Act.
Recent municipal elections in Vancouver and Edmonton were mired by hours-long lineups to vote, inadequately trained staff, and improper handling of ballot boxes.
The official opening of nominations for the election in May 1.
Elections Ontario maintains the voters list for municipal, district social services administration board, school board and provincial elections. You can verify and register to vote on the Elections Ontario website.
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Published: April 12, 2026
Last updated: April 12, 2026
Author: Joey Coleman
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