With the 2026 municipal election now just one week away, the City of Kitchener has released some results from its advance voting last week, revealing a jump of as much as 35 per cent in voter turnout compared with previous years.
According to the city, across the first three days of advance voting, a total of 5,347 voters cast their ballots.
That’s compared with 3,973 voters during the same period in 2022, ahead of the previous municipal election, showing an increase of roughly 35 per cent.
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“We’re encouraged to see such strong turnout in the first days of advance voting,” said Amanda Fusco, City Clerk with the City of Kitchener.
“The decisions made by municipal government have a direct impact on residents’ daily lives, from the roads and trails they use, to recreation programs, housing, public spaces and essential services.”
The city said they saw increased turnout on each of those tracked advance voting days, with an average of 1,700 eligible voters heading to the polls each day, the highest of which was on Oct. 15, when 1,827 ballots were cast.
When looking at which areas of town saw the largest turnout and the highest levels of community involvement, Stanley Park Community Centre recorded the highest voter turnout during the three-day span with 1,408 total voters.
Forest Heights Community Centre followed close behind with 1,226 voters, with the city saying, “Country Hills Community Centre, Doon Pioneer Park Community Centre, Breithaupt Centre and Kitchener City Hall have also seen steady voter participation.”
Even though a majority of advance voting days across Waterloo Region are now in the rearview mirror, residents are still encouraged to do their research and vote in the upcoming 2026 municipal election, coming up on Monday, Oct. 26.
“Every vote is an opportunity to help shape the future of our community, and we encourage all eligible voters to participate,” Fusco stated.
The full list of candidates and further details on the upcoming election can be found on the FM 985 Election Page or directly through each municipality’s elections website.
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