North Bay is moving to a fully online voting system for the 2026 Municipal Election, but that doesn’t mean you can’t vote in person.
Your Choice, Your Vote
Vote online from home or visit an assistance location for support during the 2026 Municipal Election.
From Hybrid to Online Voting
In the last municipal election, residents had the option to vote using a hybrid model that included both online voting and paper ballots. For 2026, the City is moving to an online-only voting method, meaning paper ballots and vote tabulators will no longer be used.
“We learned a lot from the hybrid voting model used in the last election, and we know residents appreciate having flexible options when it comes time to vote,” said Karen McIsaac, City Clerk and Returning Officer. “Moving to online voting allows us to continue providing a convenient voting experience while making sure support is available for anyone who needs it.”
During the voting period, electors will be able to vote online using their own device or visit an in-person help location for assistance. Computers and election staff will be available at City Hall to support residents who do not have internet access, do not have access to a device, or would prefer help completing their ballot.
“Moving online doesn’t mean removing support,” said McIsaac. “We want every eligible voter to feel comfortable and confident when casting their ballot, whether they vote from home or visit an assistance location.”
Moving to online voting will reduce the costs and resources needed to run an election while making it easier for residents to participate.
Voting will take place from Oct. 15 to Oct. 26, 2026. Residents will receive a Voter Letter in the mail with instructions and the information needed to complete their online ballot.
More information about the 2026 Municipal Election, including voting dates, assistance locations and how to vote, is available at https://northbay.ca/city-government/2026-elections/
2022 Municipal Election Snapshot
The 2022 Municipal Election was North Bay’s first election to offer a hybrid voting model, allowing residents to vote online or by paper ballot.
A total of 15,964 residents cast a ballot, representing a voter turnout of 38.27 per cent. Residents over the age of 60 accounted for about half of all ballots cast, with 8,078 voters in this age group participating.
The oldest voter was 104 years old, while 73 first-time voters aged 18 took part in the election. Residents aged 30 and under accounted for just over seven per cent of total voters, while those aged 30 to 60 represented about 42 per cent of turnout.
For comparison, 16,866 residents voted in the 2017 Municipal Election, representing a turnout of 45.25 per cent.
