FAQ - Ballot Marking

Voting in the 2026 Municipal Election? We've put together answers to some of the most common questions about how to correctly mark your ballot.

Municipal election ballots instruct voters to completely fill in the oval beside the candidate(s) of their choice. This is the recommended method because it helps ensure the voter’s selections can be accurately read by the vote tabulator, similar to ‘scantron’ technology commonly used for examinations. The instructions for how to complete the ballot correctly are printed at the top of every ballot. 

The City's voting instructions reflect the requirements of the technology. As technology evolves, voting processes may be updated to align with modern equipment and accessibility standards, while continuing to ensure ballots are counted accurately and securely. 

The City is using a new election system for the 2026 municipal election that includes enhanced accessibility features designed to support a broader range of voters. As election technology continues to advance, municipalities adopt new systems that improve accessibility, accuracy, and the overall voting experience. 

The new system is designed to work most effectively when voters completely fill in the oval beside their preferred candidate(s). This helps ensure ballots can be read accurately. 

Yes. Previous municipal elections were conducted using a different voting system, and marking an “X” was an accepted way to cast a ballot. Voters who followed the instructions in place at the time should be assured that their ballots were processed under the rules and technology used for that election. 

Not necessarily. The preferred method is to completely fill in the oval beside the candidate(s) of your choice, as instructed on the ballot. This is the method recommended by the City's 2026 voting system and helps ensure your ballot can be accurately read by the vote tabulator. 

While a ballot marked with an “X” may still be accepted in some circumstances, voters should not rely on this. If the tabulator is unable to properly read a ballot because of how it has been marked, the ballot may be returned to an Election Official so the voter can be advised and given an opportunity to correct it.

Yes. The City of Cambridge is not alone in using this approach. Municipalities across Ontario and Canada have continued to adopt newer voting technology that includes enhanced accessibility features and electronic ballot tabulation. As election technology evolves, ballot designs and voter instructions may be updated to align with the requirements of modern systems. Filling in the oval is a common practice used to help ensure ballots are read accurately and consistently by voting equipment. 

Some of the confusion may stem from the difference between municipal and federal elections. In federal elections, ballots are typically hand counted, and an “X,” checkmark, or other marking may be accepted where the voter's intent is clear. 

Municipal elections use vote tabulators that read ballots electronically, so filling in the oval is the preferred way to ensure the ballot is read correctly. 

Not necessarily. A ballot marked with an “X” or checkmark is not automatically rejected. If a ballot cannot be properly read because of how it has been marked, the vote tabulator will return it to an Election Official. 

If the tabulator is unable to read the ballot, it will be returned to an Election Official. The voter can then be advised of the issue and given an opportunity to correct the ballot so their vote can be properly counted. To avoid delays, voters are encouraged to completely fill in the oval beside their chosen candidate(s). 

Filling in the oval is the most reliable way to ensure the vote tabulator can accurately read a voter’s selections. Following the printed instructions helps avoid delays and reduces the chance that a ballot may need to be corrected. 

Municipal, provincial, and federal elections are conducted by different organizations and are governed by different legislation. As a result, voting methods, ballot designs, voter identification requirements, and vote-counting procedures may vary between elections. While the process may look different depending on the level of government, each election is administered in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations to help ensure the integrity, security, and accessibility of the voting process. 

The City is taking a proactive approach to voter education and will share information through multiple channels, including: 

  • Social media 

  • The City’s website 

  • Signage at voting locations 

  • Verbal instructions and reminders from Election Officials 

  • Instructions printed directly on the ballot 

Using multiple communication methods helps ensure voters are aware of the ballot-marking instructions before and during the voting process. 

Voters should carefully read the instructions at the top of the ballot and completely fill in the oval beside the candidate(s) of their choice before submitting their ballot.