How to Vote Online in Prince Edward County’s 2026 Municipal Election

Prince Edward County residents will have more than one way to cast their ballot in the 2026 Municipal Election. Voting Day is Monday, October 26, 2026, but residents choosing online voting will be able to cast their ballot before then.

The Prince Edward County Elections Team has confirmed directly to PEC Connect that Internet voting will open on Saturday, October 17, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. and remain available until Monday, October 26, 2026 at 8:00 p.m. Internet voting will complement traditional paper ballot voting, giving eligible electors another way to participate in the election.

The County has authorized Internet voting for the 2026 Municipal Election through By-law No. 12-2025 under the Municipal Elections Act. Eligible electors will be able to vote online using a personal smartphone, computer or tablet.

Before voting begins, however, there is one important thing residents should check: Is your voter information correct?

Here is what PEC residents need to know about eligibility, the Voters’ List, the Voter Notification Letter and how online voting will work.

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First: Are You Eligible to Vote?

To vote for municipal council in Ontario, a person must be a Canadian citizen, be at least 18 years old and qualify to vote in the municipality. A person can qualify as a resident elector, a non-resident owner or tenant of property, or the spouse of a qualifying non-resident owner or tenant.

That means you may be eligible to vote in Prince Edward County if you live in PEC, or if you personally own or rent property here while living elsewhere. A spouse of a qualifying non-resident owner or tenant may also qualify.

There are also circumstances in which a person cannot vote, including someone serving a sentence of imprisonment in a penal or correctional institution, a corporation, or someone attempting to vote in a representative capacity such as an executor or power of attorney. Ontario election law also prohibits voting more times than a person is entitled to vote. 

What If You Own a Cottage or Second Property in PEC?

You do not necessarily have to live in Prince Edward County full-time to qualify to vote here.

If you personally own or rent property in PEC, but live in another municipality, you may qualify as a non-resident elector. Your spouse may also qualify.

There is an important distinction for properties owned through businesses or trusts. Ontario's 2026 Voters’ Guide states that a person does not qualify as a non-resident elector simply because their business or trust owns the property. The person or their spouse must personally own or rent the property. 

Anyone uncertain about their situation should contact the Prince Edward County Clerk's Office to confirm eligibility.

Can You Vote in More Than One Municipality?

Potentially, yes.

Ontario allows someone to be a resident elector in one municipality while also qualifying as a non-resident elector in another municipality where they personally own or rent property. Someone who qualifies in multiple municipalities can vote in those municipal elections. 

For example, someone who lives elsewhere in Ontario but personally owns a qualifying property in Prince Edward County may be eligible to vote in their home municipality and in PEC.

What About Students Living Away From Home?

Ontario has a special rule for students.

A student who temporarily lives somewhere else to attend school but considers another residence to be home and intends to return there may qualify to vote in both their home municipality and the municipality where they live while attending school. (Ontario)

Students should make sure their voter information is correct in each municipality where they qualify.

Step 1: Confirm Your Voter Information

This is one of the most important things residents can do before Internet voting begins.

The County has specifically recommended that residents confirm or update their voter information in advance to help ensure they receive their voting letter.

The County recommends that residents confirm or update their voter information in advance. Check your information through PEC Voter Services>>

Ontario also provides information through RegisterToVoteON.ca. However, because it is now after September 1, 2026, Ontario's current Voters’ Guide says additions or updates to the municipal Voters’ List must be made through the municipal clerk.

Changes can be requested until the close of voting on October 26. (Ontario)

Do not assume that voting in a previous election, owning property in PEC or receiving other municipal correspondence automatically means your information is correct for this election.

Step 2: Watch for Your Voter Notification Letter

The County has confirmed that eligible electors will receive a Voter Notification Letter by mail before the voting period.

This letter is particularly important for residents planning to vote online because it will contain the information required to access the Internet voting system, including the link to the secure voting website and the elector's voting credentials. Those credentials should be kept private.

The County's latest information refers to this document as a Voter Notification Letter. Residents may encounter older PEC election information using different terminology, but older materials relating to the 2022 municipal election should not be used as instructions for voting in 2026. 

Do I Need to Find the Online Voting Website Now?

No.

The County has confirmed that the secure voting website link will be included in the Voter Notification Letter.

Residents should use the information supplied directly by the County rather than relying on old election links, unofficial social media posts or voting websites found through online searches.

Step 3: Choose How You Want to Vote

Prince Edward County residents will have the option of Internet voting or traditional paper ballot voting.

Option 1: Vote Online

Internet voting begins: Saturday, October 17, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.

It remains available through: Monday, October 26, 2026 at 8:00 p.m.

The County says eligible electors can use a personal smartphone, computer or tablet to cast their online ballot during this period.

Option 2: Vote by Paper Ballot

Traditional paper ballot voting will continue to be available.

Residents who prefer voting in person, do not have reliable Internet access, or simply do not want to use Internet voting can use the County's paper ballot voting option.

Residents should check the County's official election information for applicable voting locations, dates and times.

Step 4: Follow the Instructions in Your Letter

Once Internet voting opens, residents choosing the online option should follow the instructions provided with their 2026 Voter Notification Letter.

The County has confirmed that the letter will provide the secure voting website and voting credentials needed to access the system.

Because these credentials provide access to the voting process, residents should keep their letter and credentials secure and follow the County's official instructions.

Is There a Separate Internet Voting Registration Process?

Residents should follow the 2026 instructions provided by Prince Edward County.

Older online documents may describe the Internet voting system used during PEC's 2022 election. Those documents relate to the previous municipal election and should not be treated as instructions for 2026.

The County's latest response confirms that eligible electors will receive the information required to access the 2026 Internet voting system in their Voter Notification Letter.

What If I Don't Receive My Voter Notification Letter?

If you are an eligible elector but do not receive your Voter Notification Letter, contact the Prince Edward County Clerk's Office for assistance.

Email: elections@pecounty.on.ca

Phone: 613-476-2148 ext. 1020

The County recommends confirming or updating voter information in advance to help ensure the voting letter reaches the correct address.

Do I Need Photo ID to Vote in Person?

For in-person voting, identification must establish the voter's name and address, but Ontario's 2026 Voters’ Guide confirms that photo identification is not required. The Province provides a list of acceptable documents and also outlines what may happen when someone on the Voters’ List does not have identification available. (Ontario)

Internet voters should follow the identification and verification instructions provided through the County's 2026 Internet voting system.

What If I Don't Have a Computer?

Internet voting is not the only voting method available.

The County has confirmed that Internet voting will complement traditional paper ballot voting.

Someone who does not have a computer, smartphone or reliable Internet access, or who simply prefers not to vote online, can use the paper ballot option.

What If I Have a Problem Voting Online?

If you encounter a problem with your voter information, do not rely on instructions from the 2022 election or other unofficial sources.

Contact the County directly:

Prince Edward County Elections OfficeEmail: elections@pecounty.on.ca

Phone: 613-476-2148 ext. 1020

The County's Elections Team can provide current information about the 2026 election.

Can I Vote Online and Then Vote Again in Person?

No.

Internet voting and paper ballot voting are different ways of participating in the same election, not opportunities to cast additional ballots. Ontario law makes it an offence to vote more times than a person is permitted to vote. (Ontario)

What Will PEC Residents Be Voting For?

Eligible electors will vote for the offices for which they qualify in the 2026 municipal and school board elections. The specific offices appearing on an individual's ballot depend on factors including their qualifying address and school board eligibility.

Voting Day is: Monday, October 26, 2026

Internet voting closes that day at 8:00 p.m.

📝 Quick Checklist: What Should PEC Voters Do Now?

There is no need to wait until October 17 to start preparing.

1. Confirm that you're eligible to vote.

2. Confirm or update your information on the PEC Voters’ List.

3. Make sure your qualifying and mailing information is correct.

4. Watch your mail for your Voter Notification Letter.

5. Keep the voting credentials contained in your letter private.

6. Internet voting opens October 17 at 10:00 a.m.

7. Use the secure voting link provided in your letter and follow the County's instructions.

8. Internet voting closes October 26 at 8:00 p.m.

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❓Frequently Asked Questions

I voted in the last municipal election. Should I still check my information?

Yes. The County is recommending that residents confirm or update their voter information in advance so their information is correct and they can receive their voting letter.

I'm not a permanent PEC resident, but I own a cottage here. Can I vote?

You may qualify as a non-resident elector if you personally own or rent property in Prince Edward County and meet the other eligibility requirements. Your spouse may also qualify.

If the property is owned by a business or trust rather than personally by you or your spouse, that ownership does not by itself make you a non-resident elector. (Ontario)

I'm renting in PEC. Can I vote?

Potentially, yes. Municipal voting eligibility is not limited to homeowners. Ontario recognizes qualifying tenants as electors if they meet the other eligibility requirements. (Ontario)

I'm not a Canadian citizen. Can I vote?

No. Canadian citizenship is required to vote in an Ontario municipal council election. (Ontario)

I'll turn 18 before Voting Day. Can I vote?

A person must be at least 18 years old and otherwise eligible to vote. Anyone with questions about their individual eligibility should confirm their status with the municipal clerk. (Ontario)

Can I use my own device to vote online?

Yes. The County has confirmed that eligible electors can vote online using a personal smartphone, computer or tablet during the voting period. 

I didn't receive my Voter Notification Letter. Does that mean I can't vote?

Not necessarily. Contact the Clerk's Office for assistance at 613-476-2148 ext. 1020 or elections@pecounty.on.ca.

When can I vote online?

Internet voting opens Saturday, October 17, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. and closes Monday, October 26, 2026 at 8:00 p.m.

When will I receive the link to vote online?

The County says eligible electors will receive a Voter Notification Letter by mail prior to the voting period. The letter will contain the link to the secure voting website and the credentials required to access the Internet voting system.

Where can I get official updates?

For PEC-specific voting information, residents should use Prince Edward County's official election resources or contact:

Prince Edward County Elections OfficeEmail: elections@pecounty.on.ca

Phone: 613-476-2148 ext. 1020

Residents can also consult Ontario's official 2026 Voters’ Guide for provincial rules covering eligibility, the Voters’ List and voter identification. (Ontario)

Learn More About Who’s Running

Want to learn more about the candidates running in your area? Check out PEC Connect’s guide to the new candidates in Prince Edward County’s 2026 Municipal Election for more information about who has entered the race. 

The Most Important Thing to Do Right Now

Internet voting gives eligible Prince Edward County electors another way to participate in the 2026 Municipal Election, but residents do not need to wait for the online voting system to open before getting prepared.

Right now, the most useful step is to confirm that your voter information is correct.

Stay informed, stay prepared, and happy voting, PEC!