It’s election day, Hamilton. Here is everything you need to know
It's election day, Hamilton.
If you haven't practised your democratic rights just yet, you'd better get on it. Polls across the city will close up shop at 8 p.m. and the results will start rolling in not too long afterwards.
Come Tuesday morning, there will be some fresh new faces around the horseshoe.
The Spectator has broken down everything you need to know in order to cast your ballot and practise your democratic rights.
I don't think I'm on the voters list, can I still cast a ballot?
Anyone who's eligible and wants to cast a ballot must be named in the city's list prior to voting. To view the list, visit hamilton.ca/city-council/municipal-election/voters/am-i-voters-list.
Anyone who wants to be added to the list has to fill out an amendment application in person. This can be done either at the office of the city hall clerk or a local municipal service centre until Oct. 24.
Alternatively, you can also be added to the list on election day by bringing your ID to a polling station. If your ID doesn't include a Hamilton address and you have lived in the city for more than five weeks, poll station workers will ask you to complete a declaration of identity form on-site.
My voter's card didn't arrive in the mail. Can I still cast my ballot?
Yes. When you arrive at your designated polling station, staff can look up your information on the voters list. You will need to bring a piece of ID that includes your Hamilton address.
How do I find out what ward I live in?
The city has an open database that clearly maps out all 15 wards in Hamilton. For more information, visit hamilton.ca/city-council/municipal-election/voters/find-my-ward.
Where can I vote?
On election day, there will be 157 polling stations for residents to cast their ballots. Where you cast your ballot depends on your ward.
When do the polls open? When do they close?
Polling stations will operate from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
I work on election day, can I still vote?
Yes. Under the Municipal Elections Act, all employees who are eligible to vote in the election are entitled to three successive hours during voting hours on election day to cast their ballot.
Who's running?
Eighty-two candidates. Fifteen wards.
The full slate of candidates is below.
Mayoral Keanin Loomis, Ejaz Butt, Bob Bratina, Andrea Horwath, Solomon Ikhuiwu, Paul Fromm, Hermiz Ishaya, Michael Pattison, Jim Davis
Ward 1 Maureen Wilson*, Ian MacPherson, John Vail
Ward 2 Jason Farr*, Cameron Kroetsch, Raquel Rakovac, Robin McKee, Shahan Aaron
Ward 3 Nrinder Nann*, Laura Farr, Walter Furlan, Michael Falletta, Stan Kruchka
Ward 4 Alex Johnstone, Angelica Hasbon, Maxwell Francis, Mary Williams, Laura Taylor, Pascale Marchand, Tammy Hwang, Adam Oldfield, Eric Tuck, Cindy Kennedy, Robert Paris
Ward 5 Matt Francis, Bob Hurst, Kevin Geenen, Sebastian Aldea, Lynda Lukasik, Angela Pugliese, Ryan Ladner, Krysta Boyer, Stan Habza, George Rusich, Gordon Noble
Ward 6 Tom Jackson*, Donna Puddu, Stefan Spolnik, Chris Slye, Dan Preston
Ward 7 Esther Pauls*, Scott Duvall
Ward 8 John-Paul Danko*, Anthony Frisina, Sonia Brown, Daniel Veltri, Joshua Czerniga
Ward 9 Brad Clark*, Peter Lanza, Walt Juchniewicz, Muhammad Naeem
Ward 10 Maria Pearson*, Jeff Beattie, Louie Milojevic
Ward 11 Nicholas Lauwers, Mark Tadeson, Terri Moffett, Nick Pellegrino
Ward 12 Craig Cassar, Bob Maton, Megg Markettos, Karl Hanley, Cindy Kaye, Pamela Mitchell, Chuck Alkerton, Robert Baboth, William Robert Hume, Richard Deverson
Ward 13 Arlene VanderBeek*, Alex Wilson
Ward 14 Kojo Damptey, Brian Lewis, Colleen Wicken, Michael Spadafora, Christine Seketa, Don Ross, Christopher Poole
Ward 15 Ted McMeekin, Sumaira Waqar, Zobia Jawed, Chris Pera, Robert Kunysz
*Incumbent
Candidate profiles
If you haven't made your mind up on who you're voting for and what issues and priorities matter to candidates in your ward, we've got you covered.
Earlier this fall, every candidate for council and mayor was given an opportunity to fill out a questionnaire that delves into everything from past political experience to why they are running to their plans for addressing key local issues, such as road safety and the housing crisis.
For their full responses, look under the heading Meet Your Hamilton City Council Candidates'.
I didn't catch my ward debate, can I still watch it?
The Spectator teamed up with Cable 14 for a series of televised debates that saw candidates spar over pertinent issues and share their plans. You can catch up on them all below.
Visit thespec.com/news/municipal-election.html to see stories and videos of the debates.
I'm still not sure who to vote for. Are there any resources to help me decide?
The Spectator has partnered with Vox Pop Labs to to bring the Vote Compass platform to this year's municipal election. The online tool can help you narrow down the options, by matching you up with the municipal election candidates that most closely align with your policy views.
Click here to take the survey and see for yourself.
Where can I watch the results come in?
The Spectator will be providing live election coverage throughout the day and results as they come in through the evening. Results will also be available on the city's website by visiting hamilton.ca/city-council/municipal-election.
How many Hamiltonians have voted so far?
Hamilton saw a record spike in advance voters this year when compared to elections of the past.
The city reported that 31,719 ballots were cast during advance or special advance polls earlier this month. By comparison, 17,052 voters in total cast ballots early in 2018, while 13,242 residents voted early in 2014.
When will the new council be inaugurated?
The swearing-in ceremony for the new council is slated for Nov. 24.
Fallon Hewitt is a reporter at The Spectator. fhewitt@thespec.com