One mayor, 23 city councillors and 37 school board trustees: Less than three weeks remain before Ottawans learn the names of all 61 individuals who will represent them in those capacities from 2018 to 2022.
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Ottawa Municipal Election 2018: Who’s in and who’s out?
If you’re one of the 633,946 residents of the City of Ottawa, it’s time to vote on Monday, Oct. 22, you do not actually have to wait until your ballot.
Read on for details on when and where to vote, and information on what to bring and expect at the polling station.
Special advance voting
If you’re the early bird type, you can vote as soon as this Thursday, if you wish. The city has organized a special advance voting period from Oct. 4 to Oct. 7. During this four-day stretch, eligible for six stations from 10 am to 8 pm
If you do not vote between Oct. 4 and Oct. 7, you will have to vote for a specific location in your ward.
Advance voting
Traditional advance voting takes place on a day only: Friday, Oct. 12, from 10 am to 8 pm
Check the vote notification card you received in the email or use this online tool on the city’s website to find out Where You are allowed to vote on Oct. 12, is based your address.
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Nine of the 268 polling stations open on Oct. 12 will be located in seniors’ homes and long-term care facilities.
Election Day
On Monday, Oct. 22., the polls will open at 10 am and close at 8 pm sharp.
Again, check the vote notification card you received in the email or use this online tool on the city’s website to find out Where You are allowed to vote on Oct. 22, is based your address.
Out of the 350 polling stations open on Election Day, 106 are located in senior residences and long-term care facilities.
Who can vote?
If, on Oct. 22, you are a resident of Ottawa, a Canadian citizen and at least 18 years old (and not prohibited from voting by law), you should be good to go.
If you are not a resident, you are allowed to vote if you are a landowner or holding in Ottawa, or the spouse of a landowner or holding in the city.
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For students in Ottawa, the city’s advice is « if you … consider your home » to be the place where you are not attending school, which means you plan to return there, then you are eligible to vote in your ‘home’ municipality and where you currently live while attending school. «
What to bring
In order to vote, you have to show up at the polling station with your vote card and a piece of identification that shows proof of your name and your Ottawa address.
Your vote can not be used as a piece of ID. The city HAS published a list of papers elections staff will accept at the polls here .
You are not required to present photo ID to vote in this election.
What to expect
If there’s any chance you might be at the polls at the last minute, make sure you’re in the voting station by 8 pm, otherwise, staff will not let you in – even if you’re only a minute late.
If you do not like your options in this municipal election and want to decline your vote, you still have to go to a polling station to do so.
All voting locations will be fully accessible, according to the City of Ottawa.
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The city says it all. Polls in areas with a larger population will have more.
There will be accessible ballot-marking devices available for the city for eligible voters with disabilities.
The city says the public can expect to receive an official election results on ottawa.ca by no later than 8:30 pm on Oct. 22