Voter information

The provincial government of Ontario regulates all municipal elections in the province, including those for the City of Ottawa. Local Government Elections Act of 1996 election administration rules (the Municipal Elections Act) Specifically, the MEA states that When it comes to local elections, it's the City Clerk and, by extension, the Elections Office, who bear the bulk of the responsibility. Therefore, employees cannot offer advice to candidates or third-party advertisers, investigate or review campaign-related matters, or interpret the law.

Sending in complaints or concerns about the campaign

Under the terms of the MEA, the City Clerk or any other City employee is not responsible for looking into complaints about outside advertising. This duty of statutory monitoring and inquiry rests with the Audit Committee for Election Compliance (ECAC) Reports from the City Clerk regarding "apparent contraventions" of contribution limits prescribed by the MEA are reviewed by the ECAC, a statutory body responsible for making decisions on applications for municipal election campaign finance compliance audits. resulting from the City Council's regular election or a by-election held during the Committee's term of office  

To learn more about ECAC, check out ottawa.ca/ecac

Sending in complaints or concerns about an election sign

Enforcement of the City's by-laws and regulations falls under the purview of By-law and Regulatory Services. Code of the City of Seattle Regarding Traffic Signs and  Private Property Signage Temporary Signs Ordinance If you have any questions or comments about election signs, please contact 3-1-1

Anyone who sees election signs being tampered with or damaged should contact the Ottawa Police at 613-236-1222; owners of tampered election signs should report the incidents online at a href="MY_REDIRECT_PREFIXhttps://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https://can01.safelinks.protection call the Police Reporting Unit at ext. 7300 of the main number (613-236-1222)

Visit for more details on election signs. ottawa.ca/vote

If you are a qualified elector in Ottawa, you are entitled to cast a ballot in the upcoming municipal election. On Election Day, a voter must meet these requirements:

• spouse of a landowner or tenant in the City of Ottawa; resident of the City of Ottawa;
• resident of Canada;
• age 18 or older; and
• legally eligible to cast a ballot

In order to vote for a School Board Trustee, non-Ottawa residents must be, on Election Day, either the owner or tenant of a residential property within the school board's jurisdiction and must not be affiliated with any other school board.

In the 2022 Municipal Elections, you will only be able to cast one ballot. If you are a resident of the City of Ottawa, your voting location is your primary residence; if you are not a resident, your voting location is your qualifying address.  

A voter's ward is the area around their home. You are not allowed to vote in another ward simply because you own or rent property there. A non-resident elector who has property in more than one voting district in the municipality must select one of those districts in which to cast a ballot.

A person commits an offense and is subject to a fine of up to $25,000 if they are found guilty of doing any of the following:

1. inappropriately casts votes;

1. exceeding the number of votes allowed by the Municipal Elections Act of 1996; and

1. someone who doesn't have the right to vote does so anyway  

Student elections

It is permissible for a qualified voter to maintain dual residency in two different local municipalities if:

• he or she is a permanent resident of the area but happens to be staying in one of the local municipalities while attending school; and
• the individual has made that other municipality their permanent place of residence

The voter can cast ballots in both their "home" municipality and the one where they are temporarily residing for school purposes.

Voters who do not have a fixed residence

Voters who don't have a fixed place to live can still exercise their right to vote by using one of the following criteria:

• A person's residence is the place they spent the majority of their time sleeping or eating in the five weeks prior to the determination.
• If a person spends equal amounts of time sleeping and eating at two different locations, the location in which they spend the most time sleeping is considered their permanent residence.
• Every time you go back to your bed or kitchen during the course of a day counts as one "return."
• In the absence of contradictory evidence, a person's statement about the locations they frequented for food and sleep during a specified time period is binding.

A municipal election is closed to the following people:

• being held in a prison or jail while serving time for a crime
• corporate entity
• other than as a voting proxy, acting as an executor, trustee, or representative
• prosecuted and found guilty of a municipal election offense as defined in Section 90(3) of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996

The Voters' List is a registry of Ottawa residents who are legally able to vote. The City of Ottawa does not update its Voters' List between elections.

Each municipality and school board in Ontario's preliminary voter list is prepared by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) during election season. This preliminary list is used in conjunction with MPAC's Municipal Property Assessment database of property owners and tenants to compile the final Voters' List for Election Day.

During the revision period, voters have the opportunity to update or remove their information from the Voters' List after it has been prepared for a municipal election.

Outside of municipal election cycles, please update or verify your information.

Voters are urged to use MPAC's website whenever possible, not just during election seasons. voterlookup.ca , to verify their status as voters in the upcoming municipal elections, if they appear on the preliminary voter registration list For voting purposes, this tool can be used to correct an elector's incorrectly recorded information, add a name to the enumeration, and/or switch an elector's school preference.

A voter's name cannot be crossed off the preliminary voter roll using the aforementioned method. Outside of an election cycle, call MPAC at 1-866-296-6722 to have your name removed.

Voters in every jurisdiction will have to show photo identification at the polls in order to cast a ballot. Your name and current address are all that's needed, and a photo ID is optional.

You will have to make a statutory declaration before you are given a ballot if you are unable to provide proof of identity and residence.

One of the following forms of identification is acceptable:

• Valid driving privileges in the province of Ontario
• A photo ID health card issued by the province of Ontario.
• A valid picture ID from the province of Ontario
• Vehicle registration in the province of Ontario.
• A cancelled, one-of-a-kind check
• A mortgage deed, lease, or rental agreement for Ontario real estate
• A policy or declaration of insurance.
• An agreement with a financial institution, such as a loan contract.
• Evidence issued or authenticated by an Ontario court
• Any other official document issued by the federal government, the province of Ontario, an Ontario municipality, or a government agency
• Information from an Ontario Band Council recognized by the Indian Act (Canada).
• A notice of assessment for income taxes
• A Receipt for the Child Tax Credit
• Form T4E, Verification of Payment of Employment Insurance
• A T4A (OAS) Statement of Retirement Income.
• T4A (P) Income Tax and Benefit Statement, Pension Plan of Canada
• A Declaration of Contributions to the Canada Pension Plan
• Ontario Works Direct Deposit Receipt
• Ontario Disability Support Program Direct Deposit Statement
• T5007 Statement of Benefits from the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board
• Taxation of real estate
• Statements for your credit card, bank account, RRSP, RRIF, RHOSP, or T5
• A card from the Canadian National Institute for the Blind or a similar card from another Canadian charity that aids people with disabilities
• An official medical document
• A certificate of campus residency issued by the department or administration in charge of housing at a college or university.
• Proof of residency in a facility licensed under the Long-Term Care Homes Act of 2007, issued by the facility's Administrator.
• A bill from the public utilities commission or a utility company for electricity, water, gas, the telephone, or cable television.
• Payslip, T4 form, or employer-issued receipt showing payment received
• A report card or transcript from an accredited college or university

Please take note that a Canadian passport and a voter notification letter cannot be used as proof of identity.

In accordance with the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 ("MEA"), the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 ("AODA"), and the related standards and regulations, the Elections Office is dedicated to administering municipal elections that are accessible for voters, elections workers, candidates, and third-party advertisers.

Plan for Universal Access

A plan for identifying, removing, and preventing barriers that affect electors and candidates with disabilities will be prepared by the City Clerk and made public in advance of Election Day in a regular election, as mandated by the MEA.

The following strategy was developed by the Elections Office after consulting with the Accessibility Advisory Committee.

Relating to Accessibility

The City Clerk must publish a report under the MEA detailing efforts to remove and prevent barriers for disabled voters and candidates. In the case of a standard election, this report is due 90 days after Election Day.

In order to comply with the MEA, the Elections Office has prepared the following report after reviewing the Accessibility Plan's implementation and comments about the 2022 Municipal Elections' accessibility.

• Municipal Elections Accessibility Report for the City of Ottawa, 2022

Before filing a nomination form and opening a campaign bank account, candidates are prohibited from soliciting or spending any funds.

A notice of registration and a campaign bank account are prerequisites for any fundraising or election expenditures by third-party advertisers.

Political campaign donations

Money, goods, and services given to a candidate for use in their campaign, including those given by the candidate themselves, are all considered campaign contributions.

Contributions to an Ontario political campaign can be made by anyone who meets the residency requirements.

No contribution shall be accepted from the following individuals or organizations:

• Any political organization that is either a federal political party or a federal constituency association or a federal candidate registered under the Canada Elections Act (Canada)
• Parties, constituency associations, candidates, and leadership candidates in provincial politics who are registered under the Election Finances Act
• A company with operations in Ontario
• A bargaining representative for workers in Ontario
• A municipality, a local board, or the Crown in Right of Canada or Ontario

Each donor is limited to a $1,200 maximum per candidate. This includes the market value of any in-kind contributions made to the effort. Contributions from any one person to candidates for the same city council or school board cannot exceed $5,000. All monetary donations must be made directly by the donor.

Cash donations over $25 are restricted. Donations over $25 must be made through a traceable method like a check or money order.

Candidates are required by the Municipal Elections Act of 1996 to notify all contributors of these limits.

Third-party advertisers and contributions to candidates for municipal and school boards are not deductible.

Donations to an unaffiliated advertiser

Third-party advertisers can receive support from the following individuals and organizations:

• Anyone living in the province of Ontario
• A company with operations in Ontario
• A bargaining representative for workers in Ontario
• The independent advertiser and, in the case of a natural person, the advertiser's partner

No contribution to any third party advertiser will be accepted from the following individuals or organizations:

• Any federal political party, federal constituency association, or federally registered candidate endorsed by that party that is an advertiser under the Canada Elections Act (Canada).
• Parties, constituency associations, candidates, and leadership candidates in provincial politics who are registered under the Election Finances Act
• A municipality, a local board, or the Crown in Right of Canada or Ontario

In the City of Ottawa, contributors are limited to a maximum of $1,200 per third-party advertiser during any given election. A donor in the City of Ottawa can give a maximum of $5,000 to any combination of third-party advertisers that are registered with the city.

No cash payments over $25 are permitted. A check, money order, or other method that verifies the source of funds is required for any donation over $25.

Ward boundaries in Ottawa have changed for the 2022-2026 council term. There is one additional ward and rebranding for five others.

The new ward boundary structure was established through the Ottawa Ward Boundary Review 2020 and subsequent order from the Ontario Land Tribunal, and at its meeting on October 13, 2021, City Council considered the Ottawa Ward Boundary Review 2020 - Implementation Report.

Ottawa's new ward boundaries are described in greater detail on the Ottawa Ward Boundary Review 2020 page.

May 2, 2022

• Election nomination papers for mayor, city council, and school board trustee can now be submitted as of today. Once a candidate's nomination papers are submitted, the campaign period officially begins and the candidate can legally accept donations and spend money.
• The date an individual, business, or labor union must first submit a notice of registration as an independent advertiser After a third-party advertiser files their registration form, the campaign period officially begins and they can begin raising funds and making purchases.
• My ward is being run by the Who. Until Election Day, October 24, 2022, voters can use a ward locator and candidate directory to learn more about the races in their area.

The date August19, 2022

• The deadline for filing nomination papers, switching offices, or withdrawing nominations is 2 pm.

The date of August 22, 2022

• The deadline for the City Clerk to approve nomination papers is this Friday.

On September 1, 2022

• Certified candidates may request copies of the Voters List in writing.
• Is My Name on The Voter Roster Game Voters can use the search function to verify their registration status and view their information as it appears on the Voters' List. Between September 1 and September 16 at 4:30 pm, voters can use this form to apply to have their information changed or to have their name added or removed from the Voters' List.
  • Voters who want to change their address or have their name added or removed from the Voters List can also fill out a paper application.
  • Voters can still apply to have their information changed or added to the Voters List at their polling location.
• A form to request a postal ballot in a special election is now available. From September 1 until September 16 at 4:30 pm, voters can use this form to apply for a special mail-in ballot.
  • Voters who need a special mail-in ballot can fill out an application and send it in via mail or email.
• Voting Location Question There is a search bar for voters to use to see when and where they can cast their ballots.

Monday, September 9, 2022

• The earliest a candidate's campaign sign can be displayed on public or private property.

Time: 9/16/2022

• At 4:30 PM, the online Voter List Editing Period will close.
• The deadline for requesting a special mail-in ballot is 4:30 p.m.

Friday, September 25, 2022

• By this date, the interim list of changes to the Voters' List will have been distributed to certified candidates who received a copy of the original Voters' List.
• By this date, all candidates and outside advertisers must have received their final expense limit certificates.
• Voters who have signed up to cast their ballots via special mail will soon begin receiving Special Mail-in Ballot Voter Kits in the mail from the Elections Office. Special mail-in ballots must be received by 4:30 p.m. on October 24 at the latest at the Elections Office or Client Service Centres.

The dates of September 24–26–27, 2022

• Voters have the option of casting their ballot early between the hours of 10am and 8pm on a designated "Advance Vote Day."

Dated: October7, 2022

• Voters can cast their ballot early on Election Day between 10 AM and 8 PM.

Friday, October 14, 2022

• Voters can cast their ballots early on Election Day between 10 AM and 8 PM.

Date: October 21, 2022

• Third-party advertisers, such as individuals, businesses, and labor unions, have until 4:30 PM to either register or cancel their registration.

When: October 24th, 2022

• Voting Day
• Voting locations will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., with the possible exception of institutions and retirement homes.
• The deadline for receiving special mail-in ballots at the Elections Office or Client Service Centers is 4:30 p.m.

Date: October 27, 2022

• There is a midnight deadline (three days after Election Day) for the removal of all election signs from public and private property.

Friday, October 28, 2022

• The official results of the 2022 Municipal Elections are expected to be announced by the City Clerk.

Dated: January 3rd, 2023

• Candidates and independent sponsors can no longer raise funds or incur costs during this election cycle.
• If a candidate or third-party advertiser needs more time to run their campaign because of financial difficulties, they must submit a Form 6 Notice of Extension of Campaign Period before the deadline of 4:30 p.m.

March 1, 2023

• Date by which candidates and independent advertisers must comply with the City Clerk's notice of financial filing requirements and penalties

March 30, 2023

• No petitions for extensions of time to file initial financial statements will be accepted after this date.

March 31, 2023

By 2 pm:

• Initial financial statements and auditor's reports (if required) for the reporting period ending January 3, 2023 are due today for candidates and third party advertisers.
  • Note: If the candidate is taking part in the Contribution Rebate Program, an auditor's report is needed. If a candidate or third-party advertiser has accumulated more than $10,000 in contributions and more than $10,000 in election-related expenses as of the end of the reporting period, they must submit a report from an independent auditor.
• The candidate or third-party advertiser has until this date to formally notify the City Clerk of a filing extension granted by the Superior Court of Justice.

April 3, 2023

• The first day a voter can request an audit of a candidate's or third-party advertiser's campaign finances, even if the candidate or advertiser has not yet filed a financial statement.

May 1, 2023

By 2 pm:

• Candidates and independent advertisers have until this date to submit their first financial statements and auditor's reports (if necessary), as well as the mandatory $500 late filing fee.
  • Note: If the candidate is taking part in the Contribution Rebate Program, an auditor's report is needed. If a candidate or third-party advertiser has accumulated more than $10,000 in contributions and more than $10,000 in election-related expenses as of the end of the reporting period, they must submit a report from an independent auditor.

• At 2:01 pm, the penalties will kick in.

June 29, 2023

• Voters can no longer request an audit of a candidate's or third-party advertiser's initial campaign finances if the candidate or advertiser has not yet filed a financial statement.
  • If a candidate or third-party advertiser submits their first financial statement between March 31, 2023 at 2:01 pm and May 1, 2023 at 2:01 pm, they will be granted a 30-day extension. They have 90 days from the day they submitted their first financial statement to request a compliance audit. Ottawa will announce these times and dates. Vote/ca as needed  
  • A candidate or third-party advertiser who has been granted a filing extension by the Superior Court of Justice has until the day after the extension expires to request a compliance audit. Ottawa will announce these times and dates. Vote/ca as needed

June 30, 2023

• Candidates and third-party advertisers who had their campaign periods extended no longer have the legal right to solicit donations or incur any new campaign costs.

On August 30th, 2023

• By this date, the City Clerk must have notified all candidates and outside groups who will be running ads that they must file supplemental financial statements and auditor's reports or face penalties.

The 28th of September, 2023

• No further requests for extensions of time to file supplementary financial statements will be accepted by the Superior Court of Justice after this date.

September 29th, 2023

By 2 pm:

• The deadline for those who requested an extension of time to file a supplemental financial statement and auditor's report for the reporting period ending June 30, 2023 by filing a Notice of Extension of Campaign Period - Form 6.
  • Note: If the candidate is taking part in the Contribution Rebate Program, an auditor's report is needed. If a candidate or third-party advertiser has accumulated more than $10,000 in contributions and more than $10,000 in election-related expenses as of the end of the reporting period, they must submit a report from an independent auditor.
• The date by which a candidate or outside advertiser must notify the City Clerk of a Superior Court of Justice filing extension

The date October 2, 2023

• The first day a voter can request a compliance audit of a candidate's or third party advertiser's supplemental campaign finances, if necessary, even if the candidate or third party advertiser has not filed a financial statement.

Friday, October 30, 2023

By 2 pm:

• To avoid a $500 late filing fee, candidates and independent advertisers must submit their supplemental financial statements and auditor's reports by this date.
  • Note: If the candidate is taking part in the Contribution Rebate Program, an auditor's report is needed. If the sum of the contributions received and the sum of the expenses incurred in the election campaign up to the end of the relevant reporting period is equal to or greater than $10,000, an auditor's report is also required for candidates and third party advertisers.

• At 2:01 pm, the penalties will kick in.

On this date in 2023:

• If a candidate or third-party advertiser is required to file a financial statement but has not done so by the deadline, the deadline for electors to apply for compliance audits of those candidates' or advertisers' supplementary campaign finances is this day.
  • Within the 30-day grace period (starting on September 29 at 2:01 pm and ending on October 30 at 2:00 pm), a candidate or third-party advertiser who has not previously filed their financial statement may do so without penalty. They have 90 days from the day they submitted their first financial statement to request a compliance audit. Ottawa will announce these times and dates. Vote/ca as needed  
  • The 90-day period in which to request a compliance audit begins on the day after the filing extension expires if the candidate or third-party advertiser was granted an extension by the Superior Court of Justice. Ottawa will announce these times and dates. Vote/ca as needed