Cornwall to Introduce Internet Voting in 2026 Municipal Election

Cornwall, Ontario – Cornwall voters could be casting their ballots from the comfort of home when the next municipal election rolls around. At its August 11 meeting, City Council approved the addition of internet voting for the 2026 election, set for October 26, 2026 — marking the first time the city will offer the option.

The move, recommended by interim city clerk Denise Labelle-Gelinas, aims to make voting easier and boost turnout, which has been sliding for nearly two decades. In 2022, just 10,166 of Cornwall’s 34,743 eligible voters took part — a far cry from the 19,368 who voted at the 1994 peak.

Making the Vote More Accessible

Labelle-Gelinas told council that a request for proposals (RFP) has already gone out, and the winning company will be required to meet strict security standards to ensure voting integrity. The city’s election budget for 2026 is $220,000, and the clerk expects the new technology will still keep costs within that amount.

Councillor Dean Hollingsworth spoke in favour of the change. “Any way that we can increase voter turnout is something we should pursue. Democracy doesn’t work if we don’t get people to vote,” he said.

Not the End of Paper Ballots

While the addition of internet voting is new, the city will keep its long-standing optical scanning system for paper ballots — technology that’s been in place since 1997. These scanners read marked ballots quickly and accurately, offering a trusted backup for those who prefer voting in person.

Physical polling locations will also get a major boost. In 2022, there were only four — a decision that drew criticism from residents. For 2026, the clerk says the city intends to restore voting sites to most of the areas that had them in 2018, meaning “much more” locations than last time.

Aiming for a Turnout Comeback

From 1985 to 2006, Cornwall enjoyed steady voter engagement, but numbers have dropped since 2010, when 13,189 residents cast ballots. City officials hope that by offering more ways to vote — and more places to do it — 2026 could mark the start of a rebound.