No paper ballots: County of Brant moves to online, telephone voting for 2026 election

Casandra Turnbull

Managing Editor

County of Brant voters will cast their ballots a little differently in this fall’s municipal election, with online and telephone voting replacing traditional paper ballots.

The new approach means eligible voters can cast their ballot from a computer, smartphone, tablet or telephone during an eight-day voting period beginning Oct. 19 and ending on election day, Oct. 26.

There will be no paper ballots.

The County tested electronic voting earlier this year during the Ward 5 byelection and will use online and telephone voting across all five wards for the 2026 Municipal and School Board Election.

For those who do not have internet access, need help voting or require accessibility accommodations, the County will operate Voter Assistance Locations throughout Brant. Internet-enabled devices will also be available at County libraries and customer service offices.

Advance voting opens Monday, Oct. 19 at 9 a.m. and continues through election day, Monday, Oct. 26, when voting closes at 8 p.m.

One of the most important things residents can do now is make sure their information on the voters’ list is correct.

Eligible voters can check whether they are on the voters’ list through Ontario’s online Voter Registration Service: https://vreg.registertovoteon.ca/en/home.  Elections Ontario compiles voter information from a variety of sources, but the Sept. 15 deadline to add or update information through the online registry has now passed.

Residents can still use the online registry to check whether they are listed. Anyone who needs to be added to the voters’ list, or needs to correct or update their information, must now contact the County of Brant Elections Coordinator. County staff can make changes to the voters’ list and add eligible electors up to and including Election Day. Voters who were already on the list by the Sept. 15 deadline should receive a Voter Information Letter in the mail in early October. The letter will contain the information and instructions needed to cast a ballot online or by telephone.

Anyone who believes they are on the voters’ list but does not receive a Voter Information Letter should contact the County’s Elections Coordinator, who can confirm their information and provide a new letter.

To vote online, electors will visit the official election voting website and enter the identifying information provided to them, along with their date of birth.

Voters will then follow the instructions on screen, make their selections, review them and submit their ballot electronically.

Telephone voting follows a similar process. Voters call the election voting number, enter their identifying information and date of birth, then follow automated prompts to make and confirm their selections using the telephone keypad.

Once an online or telephone ballot has been submitted, it cannot be changed or recast.

Voters will cast ballots for mayor, councillor candidates within their ward and the applicable school board trustee position.

While there will be no traditional polling stations with paper ballots, residents who would prefer assistance in person will have several options.

The County will operate Voter Assistance Locations across Brant, including several in Paris at the Brant Sports Complex, Cedarview Church, Cowan Community Health Hub, North Ward School, Paris Customer Service Office and Sojourn Church.

Other locations will be available in communities including Burford, Cainsville, St. George, Glen Morris, Onondaga and Scotland.

Dates and hours vary by location, so residents are encouraged to check the County’s election website before heading out.

Once advance voting begins, residents without internet access can also visit a County library or customer service office during regular business hours to access an internet-enabled device.

Accessibility assistance will also be available. If a voter cannot enter a Voter Assistance Location because of an accessibility-related issue, election staff can bring a voting kiosk iPad to the parking lot of the individual’s home.

With just over a month remaining before election day, residents are encouraged to regularly check the County of Brant’s election website, www.brant.ca/Elections, for the latest voting information, assistance locations, candidate information, frequently asked questions and voter resources.

Specific dates and operating hours for Voter Assistance Locations are available through the County’s voting page at www.brant.ca/voting  Residents with questions or who need help with their voter information can contact Elections Coordinator Ryan Leverton at 519-442-7268 or toll-free at 1-855-442-7268, ext. 2207, or by email at election@brant.ca.

Unofficial election results may be released after voting closes at 8 p.m. Oct. 26, with official results subsequently declared by the clerk. Results information will be posted on the County website and shared through its news service and official social media channels.