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A voting sign is seen outside Hamilton city hall.
(Justin Chandler/CBC)
- Voting is underway across Hamilton, Niagara and the rest of the province. Most polls close at 8 p.m.
- Hamilton has 13 mayoral candidates, including incumbent Andrea Horwath, Keanin Loomis, who came in a close second in 2022, and councillor Rob Cooper.
- There are three open races for councillor in Hamilton (wards 8, 10 and 13) and four open races for mayor in Niagara (Welland, Thorold, Lincoln and Niagara-on-the-Lake).
- CBC Hamilton and Niagara reporters are out in the region speaking to voters and will be bringing you results here after polls close.
This election sees a big change in Niagara
A collage of election sign clusters along roadways in Niagara Falls. (Paul Forsyth/CBC)
I'm Paul Forsyth, a CBC News reporter based in Niagara. I'll be watching what's shaping up to be some interesting election races in this region.
One of the biggest changes is there are no choices for regional council for the first time in 56 years, because the Ontario government is eliminating the 19 region-only council positions.
That means only the 12 Niagara mayors will sit on regional council, along with a provincially-appointed chair.
Thorold, Niagara-on-the-Lake and Lincoln are all guaranteed to get new mayors because their incumbent mayors didn't run for re-election.
The same is true in Welland, which has the hottest mayoral race. Eight people are vying to claim the seat left vacant by outgoing Mayor Frank Campion.
In smaller Wainfleet, there's even a grudge match: former mayor Kevin Gibson, who was narrowly defeated in 2022 by current Mayor Brian Grant, is the sole challenger to Grant in this election.
Where can you find results tonight
CBC Hamilton will be reporting on results for Hamilton, Niagara, Burlington, Brantford and Norfolk here after polls close at 8 p.m. We will also be supported by the CBC Decision Desk, which will help make calls, especially when they are close.
City hall in Hamilton will also be open to members of the public and media on election night. Screens outside council chambers are expected to show a live feed of the city's results website.
Some of the mayoral candidates are also hosting watch parties.
Rob Cooper, his campaign team, volunteers and supporters will be watching the results at the Southern Pines Golf & Country Club on 8453 Airport Rd. E. Scarlett Gillespie and her team will be at Conversate Steak and Seafood on 38 King William St. Andrea Horwath's team will be watching results and is welcoming supporters to Henry's on James, at 303 James St. N., from 8 p.m. onwards. Keanin Loomis's campaign is hosting a watch party from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Bridgeworks, 200 Caroline St. N.
What issues Hamilton voters and candidates care about this year
I'm Jeffery Tram, a reporter with CBC Hamilton. I've been around the city today at polling stations, talking to voters.
Since nominations opened on May 1, we've heard from candidates and residents about the key issues shaping this municipal election — including affordability, homelessness, property taxes, road infrastructure and local government accountability.
In a CBC survey about issues that mattered this election, 636 residents responded in Hamilton — saying homelessness and encampments, property taxes and city budgets and road infrastructure and traffic were top of the list.
Students at McMaster University also told us they're concerned about issues including affordability, homelessness and public transit.
In our survey of candidates and at various candidate debates, we heard that many Hamiltonians are worried about the cost of living. Generally, voters and candidates have said they want elected officials to be accountable and transparent, and that they want good value for public money.
Who's running for mayor of Hamilton?
Get to know the 2026 Hamilton mayoral candidates
The stakes are high this upcoming election on Oct. 26 for Hamilton incumbent mayor Andrea Horwath, who will once again face former Hamilton Chamber of Commerce leader Keanin Loomis, after winning by a 1.7 per cent margin in 2022. Here are some of the promises four out of the 13 candidates in Hamilton are making.
Hamilton's 2022 mayoral election was a nail-biter, with Andrea Horwath defeating second-place candidate Keanin Loomis by about 1,600 votes.
Tonight, we're witnessing a rematch. Loomis — a chamber-of-commerce-leader turned steel-industry-association head — is taking on the longtime Hamilton politician again.
They're joined on the ballot by 11 other candidates, including Rob Cooper, city councillor for Ward 8, and affordable housing advocate Scarlett Gillespie.
Unsure about who you're voting for? Here's the full list of who's running and the top issues they say they'll tackle if elected.
We've also reported mayoral candidates' promises about homelessness, property taxes and data centres.
Election day is here in Hamilton and Niagara
A polling station in Hamilton. (Saira Peesker/CBC)
I'm Justin Chandler, a CBC Hamilton reporter here for the big day.
Voters in municipalities across Ontario will choose mayors, city councillors and school board trustees to lead them for the next four years.
Municipal government directly affects residents' lives. Decisions around roads, water, garbage pickup, affordable housing and property taxes are all made at city hall.
In my newsroom, we'll be keeping a close eye on Hamilton's 13-candidate mayoral race. We'll also be reporting on the council and trustee races. There will be at least three new councillors in Hamilton, in wards 8, 10 and 13.
My colleagues in Niagara will be watching multiple mayoral races in the region — four have no incumbent — and reporting full election results for all 12 municipalities.
The 2022 municipal election in Hamilton was decided with about a third of eligible voters casting ballots. Have you voted already? There’s still some time — most stations are open until 8 p.m.
The City of Hamilton has a searchable map of polling stations — this year you can vote at any polling station in your ward. You do not need a voter card, but remember to bring identification showing your name and home address.
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