Winnipeg Election 2026: Oct 28 Voting, Candidates, Polls
Winnipeg votes on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., to elect a mayor, 15 city councillors and school trustees. Every municipality in Manitoba votes the same day. You can vote early: at City Hall on weekdays until October 23, in three malls from October 16 to 18, and at a location in every ward from October 19 to 22, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Mayor Scott Gillingham is running for a second term, and his best-known challenger is former councillor and provincial minister Kevin Klein.
Key dates
| When | What |
|---|---|
| Weekdays to Fri, Oct 23 | Advance voting at City Hall, 510 Main Street (Council Building, 2nd floor, West Committee Room), 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Thursday, October 22, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| Fri, Oct 16 to Sun, Oct 18 | Advance voting at Grant Park Shopping Centre, CF Polo Park and St. Vital Centre: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. (Grant Park 12 p.m.) to 5 p.m. Sunday |
| Mon, Oct 19 to Thu, Oct 22 | Community advance voting, one location in each of the 15 wards, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. |
| Wed, Oct 28 | Election Day, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., at a voting place in the ward where you live |
| By 8 p.m., Oct 28 | Sealed envelope (mail) ballots must be returned |
Advance voting is open to all Winnipeg voters at any of these locations, which the City says may change. Dates and addresses from the City of Winnipeg's advance voting page; Election Day hours from the Manitoba government. If you're in line before 8 p.m. on Election Day, you can vote.
Who is running for mayor
- Scott Gillingham, mayor since 2022 and St. James councillor from 2014 to 2022
- Kevin Klein, Charleswood-Tuxedo-Westwood councillor from 2018 to 2022, then MLA for Kirkfield Park and Manitoba's environment and climate minister in 2023. He entered the race on September 1
- Michael Vogiatzakis, a funeral director
- Noah Redden, a software developer
- Johnny Calderon, a content creator and comedian
- Mazher Alam, Christopher Clacio, Brad Gross, Umar Hayat and Don Woodstock
These are the ten candidates in Probe Research's September poll, with background from Wikipedia. The official list of nominated candidates for mayor, council and school boards is on the City's candidates page.
What the polls say
| Candidate | Probe Research, to Sep 14 |
|---|---|
| Scott Gillingham | 55% |
| Kevin Klein | 23% |
| Michael Vogiatzakis | 11% |
| Noah Redden | 4% |
| Johnny Calderon | 2% |
| Five others | 1% or less each |
This is a poll, not a result: Probe Research found that half of residents had no preference yet, and Klein joined the race only two weeks before. It's the only published poll listed on Wikipedia. The last sitting Winnipeg mayor to lose on election night was in 1956. The mayor is elected by simple plurality, so the candidate with the most votes wins.
How to vote
- Who can vote for mayor and council: Canadian citizens who are 18 or older on October 28, 2026, and who live in Winnipeg or have owned property in the city since April 28, 2026. On Election Day, you vote in the ward where you live (City of Winnipeg).
- School trustees: you must also have lived in the school division since April 28, 2026, and live in the division's ward on Election Day. Property owners who live elsewhere can't vote for trustees.
- ID: either one original government photo ID with your name and current address, such as a driver's licence or Manitoba ID card; or two original pieces of ID that both show your name, at least one with your current address, such as a Manitoba Health card and a utility bill (full list).
- Check the voters list: about 527,000 people were on it in April. This year you can check your registration online before you go.
- Can't make it on the day? Vote at any advance location, or ask for a sealed envelope ballot early enough to return it by 8 p.m. on October 28.
The council races
All 15 ward seats are on the ballot, and at least four have no incumbent running: John Orlikow (River Heights-Fort Garry), Janice Lukes (Waverley West), Sherri Rollins (Fort Rouge-East Fort Garry) and Markus Chambers (St. Norbert-Seine River) are all stepping down (Wikipedia). Check the City's candidates page for the names in your ward.
Elsewhere in Manitoba
October 28 is general election day for municipalities and school boards across Manitoba, including Brandon, Steinbach and Thompson. Voting places everywhere are open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Each municipality also offers at least one advance vote and sealed envelope voting; your municipal office has the details (Manitoba government). The resort communities of Victoria Beach, Dunnottar and Winnipeg Beach already voted on July 24.
Quick answers
When is the Winnipeg election?
Wednesday, October 28, 2026. Polls are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Where can I vote early in Winnipeg?
At City Hall on weekdays until October 23; at Grant Park, Polo Park and St. Vital Centre from October 16 to 18; and at one location in every ward from October 19 to 22, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
What ID do I need?
One government photo ID with your name and address, or two pieces of ID that both show your name, with at least one showing your address.
Who is leading the mayoral race?
In Probe Research's September poll, Mayor Scott Gillingham had 55% and Kevin Klein 23%, but half of residents hadn't decided.
When will results be known?
Counting starts after polls close at 8 p.m. on October 28, and the City publishes the results on its election website.
