Canadian Cities Report Mixed Advance Voter Turnout
Winnipeg records all-time high advance voter turnout while Brantford reports steady online voting amid a shorter voting window.
Municipal elections across Canada are seeing varying levels of early engagement as cities report advance voting data. In Winnipeg, residents set an all-time record for advance turnout, with 25,514 ballots cast as of October 19. The city attributed this surge to expanded voting opportunities, including extending the advance period from three to four days and deploying workers to hospitals, care homes, and schools.
In contrast, the City of Brantford reported a 9.18 per cent turnout as of October 20, with 8,308 total ballots cast. While online voting in Brantford trends similarly to 2022 levels, in-person advance voting has declined. City Clerk Chris Gauthier noted that the online voting period is one week shorter this year and that approximately 20,000 more electors are eligible than in the previous cycle.
Winnipeg voters will head to the polls on October 28, while Brantford's online voting remains open until October 26. Nearby Brant County is also conducting elections using a strictly internet and telephone-based system for its mayoral and ward representative races.
