How to Vote | Burlington Election

Follow these five quick steps to make a voting plan. Plan ahead for a seamless voting experience.

Step 1

Check if you are eligible

You are eligible to vote if, on voting day, you are:

A Canadian citizen
At least 18 years old
Living in Burlington (own or rent), or
Not living in Burlington, but you or your spouse own or rent property in Burlington

Step 2

Confirm you’re on the voters' list

Being registered on the voters' list makes in-person voting faster and ensures you receive a voter information letter, needed if voting online. The letter also advises of the advance voting and Voting Day dates, times and locations.

To confirm if you are on the voters' list and/or make changes to your information, please visit Register to Vote no later than Aug. 12, 2026. After this date, you can be added to the voters' list by visiting a City library or the Service Burlington counter on the first floor of City Hall, 426 Brant St. during business hours (8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.) from September 1 to October 23.

You can also confirm if you are on the voter’s list by visiting a voting location during advance voting or on voting day, Oct. 26, 2026

Step 3

Review ward boundary changes

Minor changes to Burlington’s ward boundary structure were approved in May 2025 following a Council Composition and Ward Boundary Review. The ward boundary changes affect Wards 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Check the new ward boundary map to see if your ward has changed.

Step 4

Pick your preferred voting option, date and time

There are four ways to vote in the upcoming election:

Online, using internet voting, from Oct. 14 to 23*
In person at advance polls, on Oct. 17 and 20†
In person on Voting Day, Oct. 26†
By proxy

*Information on how to vote online will be included in your Voter Information Letter, which will be mailed to all eligible electors in early October. Online voting will be available from 10 a.m. on October 14 until 8 p.m. on October 23.

† In-person voting hours vary by day:

Oct. 17 – 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Oct. 20 – 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Oct. 26 – 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Step 5

Locate the closest voting location

In-person advance voting

In person advance voting on Oct. 17 and Oct. 20 is available at three locations. Eligible voters can vote at any voting location.

Voting Day

On Voting Day, Oct. 26, there are 24 in-person voting locations, four in each ward. Eligible voters can vote at any voting location in their ward. See voting locations by ward.

Access the support you need

Our goals is to make your voting experience as easy as possible.

2026 Election Accessibility Plan

What do I need to bring when I vote?

There are two things to bring with you when you vote in person:

Your voter information letter – it will save you time when you check in
One piece of valid ID that has your name and address on it. Photo ID is not required.

What if I don’t receive a Voter Information Letter in the mail?

If you don’t receive your voter information letter and are eligible to vote, you can still vote. It will just take a few additional steps to confirm your identity and address.

When you vote in person, bring one piece of valid ID that shows your name and address.

If you plan to vote online and you didn’t receive your Voter Information Letter, you can email election@burlington.ca to arrange to have a replacement sent.

Am I eligible to vote?

You can vote in the Burlington municipal election if you:

Are a Canadian citizen
Are at least 18 years old
Live in Burlington (own or rent), or
Don’t live in Burlington, but you or your spouse own or rent property in Burlington

What should I expect if I vote online?

Online voting is secure and confidential. Our internet voting system, managed by Voatz Canada Ltd., uses advanced security measures, including two-factor authentication, to safeguard your voter information and protect your privacy. The voting platform is hosted on secure servers in Canada and complies with the Digital Governance Standards Institute’s technical requirements and best practices for online voting.

If you choose to vote online, you can access the voting platform through the Voatz website on your computer or through your phone’s mobile browser.

To vote online, you must receive a Voter Information Letter (VIL). Your VIL will include your Voter Registration Number and instructions for completing the online voting process, including the website address. As part of the process, you will be required to complete two-step verification using either your email address or mobile phone number. Voter Information Letters will be mailed to all eligible voters in early October.

The online voting period opens Wednesday, Oct. 14, at 10 a.m. and closes Friday, Oct. 23, at 8 p.m.

What should I expect if I vote in person?

When you arrive at your voting location, you will be greeted by City of Burlington election staff.

You will be asked to present your valid ID and voter information letter. Staff will check if you are eligible to vote. If you meet the requirements, you will be given a ballot.

Next, you will go behind a voting screen to privately complete your ballot.

To vote for your chosen candidate, fill in the bubble beside their name and take your folded ballot to the election staff member standing at the tabulator. The election staff member will feed your ballot into the tabulator and the process is complete.

How can I vote by proxy?

If you are unable to vote online, at the advance polls or on voting day, you can select someone to vote on your behalf. This is called proxy voting. Your proxy must be eligible to vote in Burlington.

To vote by proxy, you and the person voting for you, must complete an Appointment for Voting Proxy Form and have it certified at City Hall. Proxy forms are available at City Hall and online, here: Appointment for Voting Proxy Form [PDF]

Vote by proxy steps:

You and your proxy fill out the Appointment for Voting Proxy Form [PDF]
Your proxy brings the completed form and their valid ID to the Office of the City Clerk at 426 Brant St.
Your forms are reviewed, and if the requirements are met, they are certified
The person voting for you brings the certified form and their valid ID to the voting location and casts your vote at either an advance voting or Voting Day location.

Valid ID

Accepted types of ID include:

Ontario driver’s license
Ontario photo card
A cancelled personalized cheque
An insurance policy or statement
Any other document included on Ontario’s acceptable documents for voter identification list

Types of ID not accepted include:

International ID
Permanent resident cards

Who am I voting for?

For the list of candidates nominated to run in the 2026 municipal election, visit our List of Candidates page.

In October 2026, eligible voters in Burlington will vote to elect the:

Mayor of Burlington* (1)
Six members of Burlington City Council* (1 in each ward)
School Board Trustee(s)

Vote for trustees in one of four school boards, based on your school support. Choose from:

Halton Catholic District School Board
Halton District School Board
Conseil scolaire Viamonde
Conseil scolaire catholique Mon Avenir

*The Mayor and City Councillors also represent you on Halton Regional Council.

Note: In accordance with Bill 100, Better Regional Governance Act, 2026, the Chair of the Region of Halton may be appointed by the Province or appointed by the members of Regional Council. The position will not appear on the ballot. Learn more about Bill 100.

Can I vote more than once if I own or rent more than one property in Burlington?

You may only vote once, regardless of how many properties you own or rent in Burlington.

Do I need to state my sex or gender to vote?

No, you do not need to provide any information about your sex or gender expression in order to vote.

Where will election results be posted?

Election results will be posted on this website under the “Results” page. The City Clerk declares the official election results as soon as possible after voting day.

Can I register to vote in a future election if I am not 18 yet?

The Ontario Register of Future Voters allows eligible 16 and 17-year-olds to pre-register so they are automatically added to the Voters' List when they turn 18.

Visit Register to Vote to learn more about eligibility, identification requirements, and how to register as a future voter.

I am away at school during the election, can I still vote?

Students attending school away from home may be eligible to vote in multiple municipalities. If a student’s permanent residence and temporary student home are in different municipalities or a Territory Without Municipal Organization area, they can update or add their "home address" as their permanent family residence and list their student home as an additional property they, or their spouse, own or rent.

How do I know what social media to trust during the election?

The City of Burlington is your best, most-trusted source for election information.

We will be updating information on this website throughout the election. We will also be posting on the City’s official social media accounts.

X: @cityburlington
Facebook: @cityburlington
Instagram: @cityburlington
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/cityburlington

Who can I contact for more information or help?

You can contact the Office of the City Clerk at the City of Burlington by:

Email: election@burlington.ca
Telephone: 905-335-7777