Winnipeg voters can already cast ballots in the city’s 2026 municipal election, with advance voting open at City Hall since Oct. 5 and the main vote set for Wednesday, Oct. 28, according to the City of Winnipeg.
Residents will elect a mayor at large, one councillor in each of the city’s 15 wards, and school trustees in six school divisions, the city’s election page says. Election Day voting runs from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and voters must cast their ballot at a location within their own council ward.
Wikipedia’s page on the race lists 12 declared mayoral candidates, including incumbent Mayor Scott Gillingham, who announced on May 1 that he would seek re-election, and says five city councillors are not running again. That candidate list is a secondary source and may change, so voters should confirm the official ballot with the city.
Where and when to vote early
Advance voting is open to all Winnipeg voters, according to the city. At the Council Building, 510 Main St. (second floor), voting runs 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Oct. 5 to 9 and Oct. 13 to 16. The site is closed Oct. 12 for Thanksgiving. The week of Oct. 19 to 23 has varied hours, and the city says the location is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 22.
The city also lists 15 community advance voting sites, one for each ward. They are open only from Oct. 19 to 22, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. In addition, six shopping mall locations will host advance voting on various dates between Oct. 6 and Oct. 18, with hours of either 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. or 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. depending on the site. The city’s advance voting page has the specific mall and date for each.
What to bring
The city says voters must show identification in one of two ways. The first is one original piece of government-issued identification showing your photo, name and address, such as a valid driver’s licence or a Manitoba identification card. The second is two original pieces of authorized identification that together show your name and current address. Both must carry your name, and at least one must show your current address. The city says health cards, utility bills and credit card statements are among the accepted items, and its identification page lists the full set.
Who is eligible, and what if you are not on the list
To vote for mayor and councillor, you must be a Canadian citizen, at least 18 years old on Oct. 28, and have been a Winnipeg resident or property owner since April 28, 2026. School trustee votes carry a separate residency test: the city says voters must have lived in the school division for at least six months and be a resident of their ward on Election Day.
The deadline to register on the voters list was Aug. 26. The city says people who missed it can still vote, but they must take an oath at their polling location. Residents can check whether they are on the list by entering their name, birthday and address on the city’s election website, or by calling 311.
The city’s election site also offers a “Where do I vote?” tool for finding your Election Day location. Hours and locations can change, so readers should confirm details at winnipeg.ca/election or through 311 before heading out.
Sources: City of Winnipeg 2026 election pages (overview, advance voting, voters list, identification); Wikipedia, 2026 Winnipeg municipal election.
If you find reporting like this useful, consider supporting Canada News Media, an independent Canadian newsroom with no corporate parent.
