Dear editor:

As Niagara-on-the-Lake voters prepare for the 2026 municipal election, many residents will face an important question: should they cast all six of their votes for council, or vote strategically for fewer candidates?

Under Ontario’s municipal voting system, electors may vote for up to six councillors in Niagara-on-the-Lake. However, “up to six” does not mean voters must use all six votes.

In fact, there are circumstances where voting for only four candidates can be a rational and effective strategy.

Over the past council term, several issues have repeatedly divided residents and council members. Among the most significant have been growth and development, tourism management, fiscal responsibility and tax increases, and the balance between protecting neighbourhood character and encouraging economic activity.

Many voters have strong views on these issues and may believe that some candidates are clearly more aligned with their priorities than others.

If a voter supports four candidates who consistently reflect their views but is uncertain about the remaining choices, casting votes for additional candidates may unintentionally help elect individuals whose positions differ significantly from their own.

Strategic voting is not about manipulating the system. It is simply recognizing that every vote has value. By concentrating support on the candidate(s) a voter most strongly believes will represent resident interests, that voter avoids diluting the impact of their ballot.

This approach becomes particularly relevant in at-large elections such as Niagara-on-the-Lake’s, where the difference between the sixth-place and seventh-place candidate can be relatively small. A concentrated vote can sometimes have greater influence than spreading votes across a larger number of candidates.

Of course, there are also valid reasons to use all six votes. Voters who find six candidates they genuinely support should not hesitate to vote for all six. The key point is that electors should understand they are not required to fill every available space on the ballot.

Municipal elections are often decided by very small margins, and local government has a direct impact on taxes, infrastructure, planning decisions, tourism management, and quality of life.

Residents should carefully evaluate candidates based on the issues that matter most to them personally and then decide whether supporting four, five, or six candidates best reflects their priorities.

An informed vote is always more important than a full ballot.

Al Bisback
NOTL