Verify before you vote
Check before you act on any of this. We gathered it from municipal websites and news reports in early October 2026. We may have made mistakes, and dates, hours, help centres and candidate lists can change after we looked.
Your municipality's clerk and the Voter Information Letter in your mailbox are the final word. Every section below ends with the sources we used, so you can confirm it yourself.
On Monday, October 26, 2026, every council along Highway 7 gets elected, from Ottawa to Peterborough. Most people on this road won’t set foot in a polling station to do it. Eleven of the fourteen municipalities below vote only by phone or online, over a week or so that ends on voting day. Ottawa still uses paper ballots. Peterborough and Havelock-Belmont-Methuen let you choose, and in Peterborough you can already vote online.
For each municipality you’ll find how the vote works, the dates, where to get help, and who’s on the ballot. Candidates appear in the order the municipality lists them, which is alphabetical. We don’t endorse anyone. Where a municipality hasn’t published something, we say so and leave it at that.
Before you vote
Can you vote? You can if you’re a Canadian citizen, 18 or older by October 26, and you live in the municipality, or you or your spouse own or rent property there. So if you have a cottage in one of these townships, you can vote there and at home. You still get one vote per municipality, however many properties you hold in it.
Watch the mail. Where the vote is by phone and internet, every voter is mailed a Voter Information Letter in early October with a personal PIN. With the PIN and your date of birth, you can vote from any phone or device, any time the voting period is open.
Letter missing, or wrong? The voters’ list was set on September 1. Since then only the municipal clerk can add you or fix a mistake, so get in touch with the office listed in your section, and bring ID and proof of address if you go in. Several municipalities point to RegisterToVoteON’s voter lookup for checking whether you’re on the list.
No internet, or want a hand? Every municipality that votes by phone and internet has a help centre or office open during voting, with a computer or phone you can use. We’ve listed the hours wherever they’ve been published.
School board trustees are on the same ballot. You’ll find them on each municipality’s candidate list, linked below.
At a glance
East to west, the order you meet them on the 7.
| Municipality | Towns on our pages | How you vote | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ottawa | Ottawa | Paper ballot | Advance day Oct 16; voting day Oct 26 |
| Carleton Place | Carleton Place | Internet and phone | Oct 19–26 |
| Smiths Falls | Smiths Falls | Internet and phone | Oct 19–26 |
| Perth | Perth | Internet and phone | Oct 19–26 |
| Tay Valley | Maberly, Bolingbroke | Internet and phone | Oct 19–26 |
| Lanark Highlands | McDonalds Corners | Internet and phone | Oct 19–26 |
| Central Frontenac | Sharbot Lake, Arden, Mountain Grove | Internet and phone | Oct 19–26 |
| Addington Highlands | Kaladar, Northbrook, Flinton | Internet and phone | Oct 19–26 |
| Tweed | Tweed, Actinolite | Internet and phone | Oct 19–26 |
| Centre Hastings | Madoc | Internet and phone | See below |
| Marmora and Lake | Marmora | Internet and phone | Oct 19–26 |
| Havelock-Belmont-Methuen | Havelock | Internet and phone, or paper on Oct 26 | Oct 13–26 |
| Asphodel-Norwood | Norwood | Internet and phone | Help desk from Oct 13; closes Oct 26 |
| Peterborough | Peterborough | Internet, or paper in person | Online now; advance Oct 14; voting day Oct 26 |
Every voting period ends on voting day, Monday the 26th, and every municipality that gives a closing time gives 8pm. Between towns, the 7 also runs through Beckwith, Drummond/North Elmsley and Otonabee-South Monaghan. All three vote by phone and internet, according to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario; the townships have the dates. The Township of Madoc, north of the village, is its own municipality with its own election, separate from Centre Hastings.
Ottawa
How: paper ballot, at the voting place assigned to you in your ward. It’s printed on your Voter Notification Letter, and the City’s “Where do I vote?” tool or 311 can tell you too.
When: Advance Voting Day is Friday, October 16, and voting day is Monday, October 26, both 10am to 8pm. (The special advance days, when you could vote anywhere in the city, ran October 1 to 4.) If you applied to vote by mail, your completed kit has to reach the Elections Office or a City client service centre by 8pm on October 16, or it won’t be counted.
Who’s running: the whole city elects a mayor, and each ward its councillor. The lists are long and differ by ward, so we’ll leave them to the City.
Carleton Place
How: internet and telephone only, no paper ballot.
When: October 19 to 26. Voting is open 24 hours a day.
Help centres:
- Town Hall: Monday to Thursday, October 19–22, 9am–4pm; Friday the 23rd, 9am–noon; voting day, 9am–8pm. Closed the weekend of the 24th and 25th.
- Carleton Place Public Library: Saturday, October 24, 11am–5pm.
- Arena Upper Hall, 75 Neelin St: voting day only, 8:30am–8pm.
Who’s running: Mayor Toby Randell and Deputy Mayor Andrew Tennant were acclaimed, so there’s no vote for either seat. Eleven candidates for five councillor seats: Jeff Atkinson, Sarah Cavanagh, Dena Comley, Bryant Cougle, Ian Dorward, Kory Earle, Paul Frangione, Lori Goulding, Mark Hinton, Shane O’Neill, Linda Seccaspina.
The candidates’ night: the Chamber of Commerce held its all-candidates event at the arena on October 1.
The Town’s election page · (613) 257-6252
Smiths Falls
How: internet and telephone only, no paper ballot.
When: October 19 to 8pm October 26.
Help: the Town’s page doesn’t name a help centre. Questions go to Town Hall, 77 Beckwith St N, 613-283-4124.
Who’s running: three candidates for mayor: Christopher G. Cummings, Peter McKenna, Nate Morris. Fifteen candidates for six councillor seats: Alex Brown, James Creighton, Bill Dickson, Marie-Pier Guerin, Greg Hull, Lewis Koluk, Spring Loomes, Christopher McGuire, Jennifer Miller, Chance Peterson, Dawn Quinn, Leslie Richardson, Stephen Robinson, Zachary Thoms, Peggy Lee Tye-Bernicky.
The candidates’ nights: the Rotary Club hosted the mayoral candidates on September 30 and the council candidates on October 7, both at the Legion.
The Town’s information for voters · certified candidates
Perth
How: internet and telephone only, no paper ballot.
When: 8:30am October 19 to 8pm October 26.
Help centre: Town Hall, 80 Gore St E: October 19–23, 8:30am–4pm; Saturday the 24th, 9am–noon; voting day, 8:30am–8pm. It can give you a letter if yours didn’t come, and help you vote.
Who’s running: four candidates for mayor: David Bird, Stephanie Drummond, Ed McPherson, Isabel Anne McRae. Three for deputy mayor: Jamie Dyer, Richard Schooley, Catherine Schoular. Eleven for five councillor seats: Jim Boldt, Judy Brown, Marlene Donoghue, Sheldon Giff, Peter Gardner Hallam, Ramsey Hart, Trevor Oattes, Paul Quinnell, Kassina Ryder, Gary Waterfield, Derek Zeisman.
The candidates’ night: the Chamber of Commerce’s all-candidates meeting is at Studio Theatre Perth on Thursday, October 8, 6pm to 8:30pm.
The Town’s election page · 613-267-3311 ext. 2239
Tay Valley
Maberly and Bolingbroke.
How: internet and telephone only, no paper ballot.
When: 8:30am October 19 to 8pm October 26. You vote in the ward you live in.
Help: the Township’s page doesn’t name a help centre. Questions go to the municipal office, 217 Harper Road, 613-267-5353.
Who’s running: two candidates for reeve: RoxAnne Darling, Marilyn Thomas. Three for deputy reeve: Wayne Baker, Greg Hallam, Frank Johnson. Bathurst Ward councillor: Fred Dobbie, Korrine Jordan, Chad Kelford. Burgess Ward councillor: Keith Kerr, Giovanni Perna, Angela Pierman. Sherbrooke Ward: Mike Champagne and Martin Whan were acclaimed.
The candidates’ night: ABC Hall in Bolingbroke held one on October 7.
Lanark Highlands
McDonalds Corners.
How: internet and telephone.
When: any time, day or night, October 19 to 26.
Help: the Township’s page doesn’t name a help centre. The office is at 75 George St, Lanark, Monday to Friday 9am–4pm, 613-259-2398.
Who’s running: four candidates for reeve: Peter McLaren, Wesley “Wes” Pugh, Brian Stewart, Allison Vereyken. Three for deputy reeve: William “Bill” King, Frank Sodonis, Marina Summers. Councillors by ward: Ward 1, Peter Forshaw and Keith Michaud; Ward 2, Dennis Munroe and Steven “Steve” Roberts; Ward 3, Barry Gervais, Daniel Keating, David Le Gard and Ryan McMurrer; Ward 4, Ronald “Ron” Closs and John Foliot; Ward 5, Laurene “Jeannie” Kelso, the only candidate.
Meet your candidates, on the Township’s site
Central Frontenac
Sharbot Lake, Arden and Mountain Grove.
How: internet and telephone. The Township links a short video on voting online.
When: 9am October 19 to 8pm October 26. Letters should arrive by October 16; if yours hasn’t, call the Township at 613-279-2935 or email elections@centralfrontenac.com.
Help centre: the Township office, 14216 Hwy 38, Sharbot Lake. Office hours are Monday to Friday 8:30am–4:30pm, and 8am–8pm on voting day. 613-279-2935.
Who’s running: two candidates for mayor: Nicki Gowdy, Susan Irwin. Councillors, by district:
- District 1, Kennebec (Arden): Chase Matson, Cindy Kelsey, C. Lynn Klages.
- District 2, Olden (Mountain Grove): Danny Meeks, Bill Everett, Edward Quinn, Ron Couchman.
- District 3, Oso (Sharbot Lake): Meredith Peters, Bill MacDonald, Lesley Merrigan, Jessica Singer.
- District 4, Hinchinbrooke: Brent Cameron, Janet Gutowski, Phillip Smith.
The candidates’ nights: the Frontenac News, not the Township, organized one in each district. Arden’s was at Kennebec Hall on September 23 and Sharbot Lake’s at the OSO Hall on September 29; Mountain Grove’s was at the Olden hall on September 16.
Addington Highlands
Kaladar, Northbrook and Flinton.
How: internet and telephone. Letters go out in early October.
When: October 19 through voting day, October 26.
Help centres:
- Township office, 72 Edward St, Flinton: Monday the 19th and Wednesday the 21st, 8:30am–7pm; Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 8:30am–4:30pm; voting day, 9am–8pm.
- The Addington Highlands Community Centre in Denbigh, 31 Central St, with shorter hours (see the Township’s page).
Who’s running: Kenneth Hook is the only certified candidate for reeve. Ward 2 has two candidates for its two seats, Rodger Holden and E. Helen Yanch. The contest is in Ward 1, four candidates for two seats: Dave Graham, Maurice (Moe) Leveille, Royce Rosenblath, Kirby Thompson.
The Township’s election page · voters’ list: 613-336-2286 ext. 208, elections@addingtonhighlands.ca
Tweed
Tweed and Actinolite.
How: internet and telephone. There are no polling stations, even on voting day.
When: 9am October 19 to 8pm October 26.
Help centre: Tweed Public Library. Bring your Voter Information Letter. If you didn’t get one, you can still be added to the list there with a form and identification.
Who’s running: these names come from inQuinte’s report of August 27, because we couldn’t open the Municipality’s own certified list (a linked document on its election page). Three candidates for mayor: Jamie Demarsh, Calvin McDonald, Peter Valiquette. Three for deputy mayor: Justin Bray, Jim Fueller, Paul Kite. Seven for three councillor seats: Kimberly Alinard, Robert Murray Brush, Paul Douglas Carter, Kali Dykstra, Robert Jackson, Richard Rashotte, John Sanzo.
The Municipality’s election page · 613-478-2535
Centre Hastings
Madoc.
How: internet and telephone.
When: the Municipality’s page doesn’t give the voting period. Ask the Returning Officer at 613-473-4030 ext. 212.
Help: the Municipal Office, 7 Furnace St, Madoc. You can also check or update your listing at the Centre Hastings voter services portal.
Who’s running: two candidates for mayor: James (Jim) Chamberlain, Thomas Deline. Kevin McLaughlin is the only candidate for deputy mayor. Six for council: Bonnie Janet Allinson, Fred Bendell, Judy Brant, Mike Kerby, Peter Nayler, Eric Sandford.
The Municipality’s election page · certified candidates (PDF)
Marmora and Lake
How: internet and telephone. Letters with PINs were mailed October 5.
When: 10am October 19 to 8pm October 26.
Help: a Voter Help Centre opens with voting on the 19th, and a voting centre is open 10am–8pm on voting day. The Municipality’s schedule doesn’t say where, or give the other days’ hours. Results go up on its website after voting day.
Who’s running: six candidates for mayor: Trevor Armstrong, Bonnie Danes, Aaron Deonarain, Ron Derry, Jan O’Neill, Merv Taylor. Two for deputy mayor: Rachel Corbett, Mike Stevens. Six for three councillor seats: Doug Bilcox, Eric Daoust, Bernie Donaldson, Dave Maloney, Jane Pearson, Lorrie Tannahill.
The Municipality’s election page · certified candidates
Havelock-Belmont-Methuen
Havelock.
How: internet and telephone, or a paper ballot in person on voting day only.
When: internet and phone from 10am October 13 to 8pm October 26. Paper ballots at the Municipal Office, 1 Ottawa St E, Havelock, on Monday the 26th, 10am–8pm, with identification.
Help: the voter help centre is at the Municipal Office, 705-778-2308 or toll-free 1-877-767-2795, voterhelp@hbmtwp.ca.
Who’s running: two candidates for mayor: Jim Martin, David Sharpe. Two for deputy mayor: Kathy Clement, Hart Webb. Eight for three councillor seats: Jerry Doherty, Beverly Flagler, Dan Graham, Stephanie Parray, Bill Seabrook, Krista Thomas, Paul Wood, Richard Wood.
In their own words: kawarthaNOW asked every candidate why they’re running: Havelock-Belmont-Methuen council candidates make their case.
The Township’s election notice
Asphodel-Norwood
Norwood.
How: internet and telephone, from a computer, phone or tablet.
When: voting closes at 8pm October 26. The Township’s page doesn’t give the opening date, but its help desk opens October 13.
Help desk: the Municipal Office, 2357 County Rd 45, Norwood: October 13–23, 8:30am–4:30pm, and voting day 8:30am–8pm. 705-639-5343.
Who’s running: five candidates for mayor: Rodger D. Bonneau, Stephanie Hodge-Greaves, Jesse Savary, Robert (Bob) Tytko, Patrick Wilford. Two for deputy mayor: Lori Burtt, Tom Moher. Six for three councillor seats: Trever Donnelly, Cory Kozmik, Joseph (Joe) Maddison, Barry Walsh, Paula Warr, Alison Westrop.
In their own words: Asphodel-Norwood candidates explain why they are running, from kawarthaNOW.
Certified candidates, on the Township’s site
Peterborough
How: online, or in person on paper.
When:
- Online voting opened on Monday, October 5, and runs through voting day, October 26. Follow the steps on your voter notification card.
- Advance voting in person: Wednesday, October 14, 10am–8pm, Healthy Planet Arena, 911 Monaghan Rd.
- City Hall, 500 George St N, has accessible voting equipment and an internet voting kiosk October 19–23, 9am–4pm, and accessible equipment on voting day, 10am–8pm, for every ward.
- Voting day, Monday the 26th, 10am–8pm, at your own ward’s location: Otonabee at Healthy Planet Arena; Monaghan at Westdale United Church, 1509 Sherbrooke St; Town at the McDonnel Street Community Centre, 577 McDonnel St; Ashburnham at the Peterborough Lions Community Centre, 347 Burnham St; Northcrest at Northview Community Church, 1000 Fairbairn St. The City has a “What’s My Ward” map if you’re not sure. Your voter card also gets you free transit to any in-person voting.
Who’s running: seven candidates for mayor: Michael Eamon, Rob Hailman, Brian Lumsden, Jacob Méthot, Neil Morton, Keith Riel, Rebecca Schillemat. Each of the five wards elects two councillors; the ward lists are on the City’s site.
The candidates’ nights: Market Hall’s ArtsVote evening on September 23, and the mayoral candidates’ meeting on the environment on October 6.
In their own words: kawarthaNOW profiled the ward races through the summer, starting with the field as it closed.
A note on where this comes from
Verify before you vote
One more time: verify with your municipality before you rely on anything here. This page is a starting point put together by a small local website, not an official election notice.
Everything on this page comes from each municipality’s own election page or certified candidate list, read in early October 2026, unless a section names a news source. Once certified, a candidate list only changes if a candidate dies or becomes ineligible. Hours and help centres can still change. If you spot a mistake, tell us and we’ll fix it.