{"id":949545,"date":"2026-10-28T15:54:19","date_gmt":"2026-10-28T15:54:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/949545\/"},"modified":"2026-10-28T15:54:19","modified_gmt":"2026-10-28T15:54:19","slug":"polls-open-across-manitoba-for-wonderful-opportunity-to-vote-in-municipal-elections","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/949545\/","title":{"rendered":"Polls open across Manitoba for &#8216;wonderful opportunity&#8217; to vote in municipal elections"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"paragraph-b3GxD html-paragraph\">Manitobans are headed to the polls in municipal elections across most of the province. Emily Burt made it a family affair.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-b3GxD html-paragraph\">&#8220;The kids don&#8217;t have school today so I figured I would just bring them and show them the experience of voting. They have 10 years and eight years before they get to do it, so now they know how,&#8221; Burt said outside Bison Run School in the Waverley West neighbourhood of southwest Winnipeg.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-b3GxD html-paragraph\">&#8220;I want them to know that it&#8217;s important to have a voice, especially in your own city.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-b3GxD html-paragraph\">Locations are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. for voters to cast ballots for mayors (or reeves, as the head of council is known in many rural municipalities), councillors and school trustees in the majority of Manitoba&#8217;s 137 municipalities.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-b3GxD html-paragraph\">Waverley West is one of the areas guaranteed to have a new face as Janice Lukes, who represented the ward as city councillor since its creation in 2018, <a class=\"link-_o8iA html-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cbc.ca\/news\/canada\/manitoba\/waverley-west-janice-lukes-not-running-9.7247221\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">decided not to seek re-election<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-b3GxD html-paragraph\">The candidates hoping to replace Lukes all had great ideas, Burt says, particularly getting a hockey rink and easing traffic congestion by linking Bison Drive and Waverley Street.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-b3GxD html-paragraph\">&#8220;A lot of them spoke about issues that are on our minds,&#8221; she said. &#8220;I think there&#8217;s several capable people.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-b3GxD html-paragraph\">Results for all of Manitoba will be updated as they are received from voting locations on the\u00a0<a class=\"link-_o8iA html-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/mbvotes.ca\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">2026 Manitoba\u00a0municipal elections website<\/a> shortly after polls close at 8 p.m.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-b3GxD html-paragraph\">CBC Manitoba will also have coverage of the election online and on radio and television.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"People stand in line outside of a door near a sign that says voting location.\"   src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/1793202858_111_default.jpg\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.3594232749742534\" data-cy=\"image-img\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"imageCaption-oOSXz\">Voters wait in line at Bison Run School for the polling station to open on Wednesday morning. (Meaghan Ketcheson\/CBC)<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-b3GxD html-paragraph\">A general municipal election happens every four years and always on the third Wednesday in October. The only exceptions are in <a class=\"link-_o8iA html-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cbc.ca\/news\/canada\/manitoba\/winnipeg-beach-dunnottar-victoria-beach-elections-manitoba-9.7284631\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Winnipeg Beach, Dunnottar and Victoria Beach<\/a>, where elections were held July 24.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-b3GxD html-paragraph\">Tyler Wiwchar\u00a0was first in line to cast his ballot at Bison Run School, stopping on his way to work.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-b3GxD html-paragraph\">&#8220;I thought the first stop would be coming to vote as it it&#8217;s an important thing to do \u2014 try to get there as soon as possible,&#8221; he said. &#8220;Everyone should be able to have the opportunity to come vote and select someone that represents Winnipeg.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-b3GxD html-paragraph\">His choice was still being determined as he waited for the door to open.\u00a0As Wiwchar did some last second research, he used a sports analogy for making a selection.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-b3GxD html-paragraph\">&#8220;Yeah, just like a hockey decision, a quick and quick and simple play,&#8221; he joked.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A woman is seen wearing a long black robe and black head cover, smiling at the camera as she stands outside.\"   src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/1793202859_8_default.jpg\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.49272030651341\" data-cy=\"image-img\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"imageCaption-oOSXz\">Bola Osagie says she believes the people she voted for &#8216;are good candidates that would move this area forward.&#8217; (Rudy Gauer\/CBC)<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-b3GxD html-paragraph\">Bola Osagie, who made her choice right after Wiwchar at Bison Run School, called it a privilege to vote.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-b3GxD html-paragraph\">\u201cIt&#8217;s a wonderful opportunity to express what I wanna see done in the city,&#8221; she said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-b3GxD html-paragraph\">&#8220;I listened to them talk and I found out about the people I wanted to vote for and I believe that they are good candidates that would move this area forward.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-b3GxD html-paragraph\">For a look at the promises Winnipeg&#8217;s mayoral candidates have made during the election campaign, <a class=\"link-_o8iA html-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/newsinteractives.cbc.ca\/features\/2026\/winnipeg-mayoral-platforms\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-b3GxD html-paragraph\">The <a class=\"link-_o8iA html-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.winnipeg.ca\/people-culture\/our-city-our-stories\/5-things-you-need-know-about-election-day\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">City of Winnipeg<\/a> says the busiest times at polling stations are typically right when the they open and then again from 3 p.m. until close.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-b3GxD html-paragraph\">Don\u2019t worry if you&#8217;re still waiting to vote at the deadline. As long as you&#8217;re in line, you&#8217;ll be able to mark your choices.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-b3GxD html-paragraph\">But if you have the option consider voting during the quieter period between 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., when the process is likely a little quicker, the city says.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-b3GxD html-paragraph\">Winnipeg voters must be Canadian citizens, at least 18 years old on Oct. 28 and Winnipeg residents or property owners for at least six months (since April 28), <a class=\"link-_o8iA html-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.winnipeg.ca\/city-governance\/wards-elections\/2026-election\/information-voters\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">the city says<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-b3GxD html-paragraph\">Eligibility to vote in municipal and school board elections can by found on the <a class=\"link-_o8iA html-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.mb.ca\/mr\/mfas\/election_faq.html#V\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">provincial government website<\/a>. This includes eligibility for non-resident voters in municipal elections.<\/p>\n<p>More choice<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-b3GxD html-paragraph\">More Manitobans are getting a choice of who leads their communities than in 2022.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-b3GxD html-paragraph\">There are fewer acclamations compared to four years ago, the Association of Manitoba Municipalities said. Uncontested races are down to 30 per cent from 37 per cent in 2022.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-b3GxD html-paragraph\">At the same time, the number of women candidates has increased to 340 this year from 289 in the previous election, the association said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-b3GxD html-paragraph\">Incumbent mayors in several Manitoba communities, however, were<a class=\"link-_o8iA html-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cbc.ca\/news\/canada\/manitoba\/manitoba-rural-municipal-elections-acclamations-2026-9.7356213\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"> acclaimed after no challengers registered to run.<\/a> Those include Portage la Prairie, Winkler and Niverville.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-b3GxD html-paragraph\">Some places, like the Municipality of Cartwright-Roblin and the Rural Municipality of Argyle, saw their entire slate of council candidates acclaimed.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-b3GxD html-paragraph\">There&#8217;s also more voting flexibility this year in Winnipeg, home to more than half the province&#8217;s population. There are 184 polling stations and registered voters should have received a card letting them know exactly when and where to cast a ballot.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-b3GxD html-paragraph\">&#8220;The voters card is going to present not one, but two convenient locations,&#8221; said Sherwood Armbruster, the City of Winnipeg&#8217;s senior election official.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-b3GxD html-paragraph\">&#8220;We&#8217;re also proud of the fact that we had a record number of advanced voters. More than 50,000 Winnipeggers have already cast their vote, which is 20 per cent higher than the previous record that was set four years ago.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-b3GxD html-paragraph\">If someone hasn\u2019t received a voters card, they can call 311 to ask where their polling station is, or look it up on the city&#8217;s <a class=\"link-_o8iA html-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.winnipeg.ca\/city-governance\/wards-elections\/2026-election\/voter-app\/where-do-i-vote\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">where do I vote? web page<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-b3GxD html-paragraph\">&#8220;We always recommend you bring your voters notice if you have one. If you don&#8217;t, bring one piece of valid government-issued photo ID with your name and current address,&#8221; said Armbruster.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-b3GxD html-paragraph\">A list of accepted ID is <a class=\"link-_o8iA html-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.winnipeg.ca\/city-governance\/wards-elections\/2026-election\/information-voters\/identification-requirements\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">available on the city&#8217;s website<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-b3GxD html-paragraph\">If you&#8217;re not sure which ward you live in, you can check out a <a class=\"link-_o8iA html-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.winnipeg.ca\/city-governance\/wards-elections\/2026-election\/ward-boundaries\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">series of ward maps<\/a> on the City of Winnipeg website. There&#8217;s a set of <a class=\"link-_o8iA html-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.winnipeg.ca\/city-governance\/wards-elections\/2026-election\/school-division-ward-boundaries\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">school division ward boundary maps<\/a> too.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Manitobans are headed to the polls in municipal elections across most of the province. Emily Burt made it&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":949546,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[194296],"tags":[49,48,22073],"class_list":["post-949545","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-winnipeg","tag-ca","tag-canada","tag-winnipeg"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/949545","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=949545"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/949545\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/949546"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=949545"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=949545"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=949545"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}