Hamilton municipal election underway as voters head to polls
Hamilton residents are casting ballots for mayor, council and school trustees, with polls closing at 8 p.m. ET and results expected shortly after.
Hamilton voters are heading to 106 polling stations across the city’s 15 wards to elect a mayor, city councillors and school board trustees for the next four years. Polls are scheduled to close at 8 p.m. Eastern time, and officials expect the first results to be posted around 9 p.m.
City Clerk Matthew Trennum said the municipality is prepared for election day, noting that voters need only one piece of identification showing their name and address, such as a driver’s licence or utility bill. A voter information card is not required, and those without ID can sign a Declaration of Identity. The city has also introduced an offline backup for voter-list software after delays in the 2022 election.
The mayoral race features 13 candidates, including incumbent Andrea Horwath, former Ward 8 councillor Rob Cooper, Chamber of Commerce leader Keanin Loomis and affordable-housing advocate Scarlett Gillespie. The winner will hold strong mayor powers granted by the province, allowing a more independent agenda at City Hall.
Residents interviewed at polling stations highlighted issues such as homelessness, property taxes, road infrastructure and public transit as key factors influencing their votes. "The people who run city council, the people who become mayor, they have important decisions to make regarding how our taxpayers' dollars are spent," said engineer Korey Francis of Ward 2.
After polls close, ballots will be processed by tabulators that read and record votes while retaining paper copies for possible recounts. Results will be posted online and displayed on screens outside council chambers. CBC Hamilton will provide live updates on its election page, and campaign teams have arranged watch parties at various local venues.