The Cornwall City Council approved a plan on February 23, 2026, to double the number of voting locations for the municipal election on October 26, 2026, in Cornwall, Ontario. City officials aim to make voting more accessible by increasing the number of polling stations from four to eight.
A new voting site will be set up in the north end of the city to help prevent the long lineups that residents experienced during the 2022 election. Along with more physical locations, the city will also offer internet voting for the first time to give people more ways to participate.
The next council will also look different, as the number of members is being reduced from 11 down to nine, including the Mayor and eight councillors. Under the Municipal Elections Act, employees who are eligible to vote are entitled to three consecutive hours to do so while polls are open. If an employee’s work schedule does not naturally allow for this three-hour window, their employer must provide paid time off to ensure they have the required time.
The Cornwall and Area Chamber of Commerce is available to help local business owners understand these rules and prepare for any impacts on their daily operations. These changes are part of a larger effort to improve voter turnout after only 28.6 per cent of eligible residents voted in the last municipal election.
