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Ottawa saw its lowest voter turnout in 23 years in the 2026 municipal election, with just over 36 per cent of eligible voters casting a ballot.
According to unofficial polling results from the city, of 868,248 eligible electors, only 314,393 voted Monday. The numbers make for the second-lowest voter turnout in the city since amalgamation on Jan. 1, 2001.
Ottawa’s lowest post-amalgamation voter turnout was 33 per cent in 2003.
In comparison, 2022’s municipal election saw voter turnout of 43.79 per cent, with 316,254 ballots cast. There were 722,227 eligible electors that year.
The final tally this year tells a different story than the record-high turnout observed at advance polls. A total of 86,592 people cast ballots over four special advance voting days held Oct. 1-4, and on the final advance voting day on Oct. 16.
‘More or less predetermined’
Political science expert Daniel Stockemer says voter interest may have been subdued because early polling numbers showed Mayor Mark Sutcliffe with a significant lead, and there were only two wards with no incumbent this election.
“It was more or less predetermined,” he said. “This also decreases people’s likelihood to cast their ballot if they know that their vote might not be decisive.”
Kitchissippi saw the highest turnout across Ottawa’s 24 wards, with 48.68 per cent.
The ward was one of two open races, as its former councillor Jeff Leiper made a bid for mayor. Former CBC journalist Joanne Chianello won the seat Monday night.
“This community tends to be pretty involved in what’s going on,” said Kitchissippi resident Jim Humphrey.
“I think it was an important election. Like, do we keep going down the path we’ve been going, or do we take a flyer on something else?” said his wife Britta Humphrey, adding she was surprised by the turnout across the rest of the city. “I would have thought people would have been more interested.”
Gloucester-Southgate and Rideau Vanier, where incumbents Jessica Bradley and Stéphanie Plante were re-elected, saw the lowest turnout with only 28.49 and 28.57 per cent turnout respectively.
Official results are expected to be declared by Ottawa’s city clerk on or before Oct. 30, and the new term of council will begin on Nov. 15.