Manitoba Municipal Elections Hold Record Advance Turnout in Winnipeg
Voters across more than 130 Manitoba municipalities cast ballots Wednesday for mayors and councillors, with Winnipeg reporting record-breaking advance voter participation.
Voters in more than 130 municipalities across Manitoba cast ballots on October 28, 2026, to elect mayors, reeves, councillors, and school board trustees. Most communities participated in the Wednesday vote, though Victoria Beach, Dunnottar, and Winnipeg Beach had already conducted their elections in July.
In Winnipeg, Scott Gillingham is seeking a second term as mayor in a 12-candidate race. His primary challengers include former legislature member and city councillor Kevin Klein, funeral home director Mike Vogiatzakis, and software developer Noah Redden. While polls indicate Gillingham leads, his support has recently declined as the campaign focuses on housing, transit, and public safety.
Winnipeg reported a record advance voter turnout from October 5 to 23, with 50,767 residents participating. This represents a 21 percent increase over the 2022 election. In addition to the mayoral race, dozens of candidates are competing for the city's 15 council seats.
