Information for Voters

You are eligible to vote in the 2026 Municipal Election if:

• You are a Canadian citizen,
• You are 18 years or older,
• You reside in the local municipality in which you are voting in, or are the owner or tenant of land there, or the spouse of such owner or tenant.

The voters' list is the official list of people eligible to vote in Ontario's provincial and municipal elections. 

Elections Ontario maintains this list. You can use Election Ontario's Voter Registration service to:

• Check whether you are on the list
• Update your name or address
• Add yourself if you have moved or now own/rent property
• Remove information if it is no longer accurate

Register of Future Voters

Eligible 16- and 17-year-olds can register early using the Ontario Register of Future Voters. Once they turn 18, they will be automatically added to the Voters List. 

Visit registertovoteon.ca to learn more about eligibility, ID requirements, and how to register.

In addition to the traditional paper ballot model, Fort Erie Council has adopted a hybrid approach for this election. Voters may cast their ballot either online through internet voting, or in person during the advanced polls or on election day.

As of January 1, 2024, the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) no longer collects voter information for municipal elections. However, MPAC still collect school support information.

Property owners in Ontario must designate which school system they support, even if they do not have children or if their children do not currently attend school. This designation appears on your Property Assessment Notice.

If you do not designate a school system, your support will default to the English-Public school board. 

You can update your school support designation through MPAC's Online School Support Tool. To learn more about school support, visit the MPAC website.

Before the election, eligible voters will receive a Voter Notification Letter by mail. This letter includes your:

• Voter Identification Number (VIN)
• Personal Identification Number (PIN)

These numbers allow you to vote online and help election staff confirm your identity at in-person polls.

Internet Voting

During the voting period, you can vote online from any device with a secure internet connection.

You will need your:

• Personal Identification Number (PIN)
• Date of birth

In-person voting

To vote in person at a poll location:

• Bring your Voter Notification Letter
• Bring acceptable identification showing your name and address

If you do not have a single piece of ID with both your name and address, you may provide 2 pieces of ID together. 

List of acceptable identification

Please bring an original or certified/notarized copy of any of the following documents:

• Ontario driver’s licence
• Ontario Health Card (photo card)
• Ontario Photo Card
• Ontario motor vehicle permit (vehicle portion)
• cancelled personalized cheque
• mortgage statement, lease or rental agreement relating to property in Ontario
• insurance policy or insurance statement
• loan agreement or other financial agreement with a financial institution
• document issued or certified by a court in Ontario
• any other document from the government of Canada, Ontario or a municipality in Ontario or from an agency or such a government
• any document from a Band Council in Ontario established under the Indian Act (Canada)
• income tax assessment notice
• child tax benefit statement
• statement of employment insurance benefits paid T4E
• statement of old age security T4A (OAS)
• statement of Canada Pension Plan benefits T4A (P)
• Canada Pension Plan statement of contributions
• statement of direct deposit for Ontario Works
• statement of direct deposit for Ontario Disability Support Program
• Workplace Safety and Insurance Board statement of benefits T5007
• property tax assessment
• credit card statement, bank account statement, or RRSP, RRIF, RHOSP or T5 statement
• CNIB Card or a card from another registered charitable organization that provides services to persons with disabilities
• hospital card or record
• document showing campus residence, issued by the office or officials responsible for student residence at a post-secondary institution
• document showing residence at a long-term care home under the Long-Term Care Homes Act, 2007, issued by the Administrator for the home
• utility bill for hydro, water, gas, telephone or cable TV or a bill from a public utilities commission
• cheque stub, T4 statement or pay receipt issued by an employer
• transcript or report card from a post-secondary school

The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing publishes a Voters' Guide for each municipal election. The 2026 Voters' Guide provides information for voters in the 2026 municipal council and school board elections and also applies to any by-elections held during the 2026–2030 council and school board term.

Appointing a Proxy

If, for any reason, you will be unable to personally cast your ballot, you may appoint someone to
go to the voting place and cast a ballot on your behalf. This person is called your voting proxy.

To appoint a voting proxy, you must fill out two copies of the Appointment for Voting Proxy Form
(Form 3) and give the copies to the person that your are appointing as your proxy.

You must know who you want to appoint as your proxy when you fill out and sign the form. The
person you want to appoint must be eligible to vote in the election, and should be someone you
trust to mark the ballot in the way you have instructed them to. 

Being a Proxy

If someone has appointed you as their voting proxy you must take the completed forms to the
municipal clerk to get them certified. Once the forms have been certified, you may cast a vote on
behalf of the person who appointed you.

If you are appointed as the proxy for one family member you may also be appointed as the
proxy for additional family members.

Family member refers to a spouse, sibling, parent, child, grandparent or grandchild. There is no
limit to the number of times you may be appointed, but it must only be for family members. You
cannot be appointed as a proxy for a non-family member and a family member at the same time.

If you are appointed as the proxy for a person who is not a family member, you can act as the
proxy for this one person only. You cannot be a proxy for anyone else. 

Please visit our Registered Candidate Page for more information on Candidates who have submitted their Nomination Papers and are eligible to run for 2026-2030 Council or School Board. 

Nomination period begins May 1, 2026. 

The Town of Fort Erie is committed to administering accessible municipal elections for electors, election workers, candidates and third-party advertisers, in accordance with the Municipal Elections Act, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, and the related standards and regulations.

If you face a barrier to voting or have any concerns about the accessibility of the 2026 Municipal and School Board Election, please contact our election team at:

• Email: elections@forterie.ca
• Phone: 905-871-1600

Under the Municipal Elections Act, the Municipal Clerk must develop policies and procedures for each municipal election to ensure all voters and candidates, including those with disabilities, can fully participate. 

The Clerk must also ensure that voting locations are accessible and prepare a public plan outlining how barriers will be identified, removed, and prevented. 

Our 2026 Municipal Election accessibility plan is currently being reviewed. It will be posted on our website once it is finalized in consultation with the Accessibility Advisory Committee.