Information for Voters

A person's residence is the permanent lodging place to which, whenever absent, he or she intends to return.

The following rules apply in determining a person's residence:

A resident elector is where a person lives, and is eligible to vote in that municipality's election. A person is only allowed to have one residence.

Non-Resident Elector (Seasonal Resident)

If a person lives in one municipality, but owns or rents property in another municipality, then they are a non-resident elector and able to vote in that municipality's election.

Spouse of Non-Resident Elector

If a person lives in one municipality, and qualifies as a spouse of a non-resident elector, then they are able to vote in that municipality's election.

Persons without a permanent residence may also qualify to be added to the Voters' List during the revision period by submitting an application to the Clerk. If a person has no permanent residence or lodging place, the following rules apply in determining his or her residence:

1. The place to which the person most frequently returned to sleep or eat during the five weeks preceding the determination is his or her residence.
2. If the person returns with equal frequency to one place to sleep and to another to eat, the place to which he or she returns to sleep is his or her residence.
3. Multiple returns to the same place during a single day, whether to eat or to sleep shall be considered one return.
4. A person's affidavit regarding the places to which he or she returned to eat or sleep during a given time period is conclusive, in the absence of evidence to the contrary.

A person may have residences in two local municipalities at the same time if the person lives in one of the local municipalities in order to attend an education institution, but not with the intention of changing his or her permanent lodging place, and the person's permanent lodging place is in the other local municipality.

This means that students are able to vote in the municipality where they attend school and also in the municipality where they live.

The electoral status for school purposes is shown on the Voters' List. A voter may apply for correction of the List during the revision period (Thursday, September 1, 2026 up to and including Voting Day, Monday October 26, 2026). Therefore, a person may apply to change their school support up to and including Voting Day. Qualifications for and definitions of the categories of school electors are found in the Education Act and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom:

• Voters must be Roman Catholic and be otherwise qualified as electors to be separate school electors. Voters must have French Language Education Rights to be supporters for French language school board.
• Non-resident owners or tenants, or spouses of owners or tenants of commercially and industrially assessed lands are not eligible to vote for school board purposes.

English-language public school board is the default for a voter unless they are qualified to be a separate or French school board supporter.

'Supporter' means which school board the school portion of the property taxes goes to. 

The City uses a secure online voting system designed specifically for municipal elections.

To help protect voter information and the integrity of the election, the system includes:

• unique voting credentials for every eligible voter
• two-factor authentication
• encryption to protect voter information
• secure servers located in Canada
• an independent security audit before voting opens
• compliance with the Digital Governance Standards Institute's technical requirements and best practices for online voting

Multiple layers of security work together to help protect the voting process.

No.

Each eligible voter receives unique voting credentials that can only be used once. Once a ballot has been successfully submitted, those voting credentials cannot be used again.

No.

The online voting system is designed to protect the secrecy of your ballot. Election officials can confirm that a voter has cast a ballot, but they cannot see who that individual voted for.

Before the voting period opens, the online voting system undergoes an independent security audit to test its security and reliability.

The City also works with its election service provider to prepare and verify the system before voting begins.

You can still vote.

During the advance voting period, computers and election staff will be available at City Hall to help residents cast their ballot.

On Election Day, there will be two voter assistance locations: Boart Longyear Memorial Gardens and the new Community & Recreation Centre. Computers and staff will be available to assist residents with casting their ballot.

Whether you choose to vote from home or visit an assistance location, every eligible voter will have the opportunity to participate in the election.

North Bay first introduced online voting during the 2022 Municipal Election as part of a hybrid voting model.

For the 2026 Municipal Election, the City is moving to a fully online voting model. This approach continues to provide the convenience of voting from anywhere while reducing the costs and resources required to administer the election. Residents who need assistance can still vote in person at a City assistance location.

Election staff are available to answer questions before and during the voting period.

If you have questions about your Voter Letter, need assistance accessing your ballot or require accessibility accommodations, please contact the City Clerk's Office.

Staff at local long-term care facilities, the North Bay Regional Health Centre and the North Bay Jail will provide assistance to its eligible residents with using the electronic voting system.

North Bay Transit is providing free transportation for all eligible voters on voting day (October 26, 2026). Please provide the bus operator with proof of your Voter Information Letter.

Voters are able to bring a support person or service animal with them to vote. The City of North Bay requires the support person to sign an Oral Oath of a Friend form for the safety and privacy of all involved parties.

On voting day (October 26, 2026), North Bay Transit will provide free transit for voters who show the bus operator proof of their Voter Information Letter.