Advance voting for the 2026 municipal election in Toronto experienced a significant increase in voter turnout, with more than 222,000 individuals casting their votes from October 6 to October 11. This marks a substantial 72 percent rise compared to the 2023 mayoral byelection, which saw over 129,000 early votes.
The advanced voting period concluded at 7 p.m. on Sunday, and voting locations will remain closed until election day on October 26. Voters who missed the early voting window can find information on polling locations for election day on their voter cards or the city’s website.
A recent survey conducted by Liaison Strategies during the advanced voting phase indicates incumbent mayor Olivia Chow leading the mayoral race by five points. The survey reveals Chow polling at 51 percent among decided and leaning voters, while Coun. Brad Bradford is at 46 percent.
Chow’s team attributed her lead and the surge in advance voter turnout to the dedicated efforts of volunteers campaigning on her behalf throughout the city. On the other hand, Bradford’s camp views the high early turnout as a sign that voters are seeking a change in leadership.
The survey, which polled 1,000 Torontonians using Interactive Voice Recording technology between October 8 and October 9, indicates a margin of error of +/- 3.1 percentage points. The data was weighted to align with targets from the 2021 Census.
The latest poll shows an increase in support for Chow compared to the previous week when she held a narrow lead over Bradford. Renters and homeowners appear divided in their candidate preferences, with Chow leading among renters at 57 percent and Bradford leading among homeowners at 50 percent.
Bradford has unveiled promises aimed at alleviating financial burdens for homeowners, including a freeze on property taxes, a reduction in the land transfer tax, and a 25 percent decrease in water bills. Chow, on the other hand, pledges to maintain property taxes around the rate of inflation.
For more details on the candidates’ platforms, visit CBC Toronto’s platform tracker. Additionally, there are 50 more candidates vying for the position of Toronto’s next mayor, with the full list available on the city’s website.