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OTTAWA, April 24 — In an extraordinary twist to Canada’s federal election, voters in the Carleton riding — where Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre is seeking re-election — are facing a jam-packed ballot with a record-breaking 91 candidates. The voting situation has prompted Elections Canada to implement a series of unusual logistical measures to handle what’s being dubbed one of the most crowded races in modern Canadian history.
The ballot influx is largely the result of a protest campaign by the Longest Ballot Committee, a group advocating for electoral reform. The committee coordinated the registration of dozens of independent candidates to challenge what they view as a flawed first-past-the-post voting system.
While Poilievre remains in a heated race with Liberal candidate Bruce Fanjoy, the flood of additional contenders — many without active campaigns — has turned the Carleton riding into a battleground over how Canadians vote, rather than just who they vote for.
Ballots Too Big for the Box
Due to the sheer number of names, Elections Canada has had to redesign the ballot to include two vertical columns and an expanded layout. The agency confirmed that the physical ballots are so large that a single ballot box can only hold about 100 of them. As a result, polling stations in Carleton will be equipped with multiple ballot boxes and trained staff to fold the oversized papers in a way that preserves voter privacy.
This is not the first time Elections Canada has faced a ballot of this size. A similar two-column format was used in a 2024 by-election in Lasalle—Émard—Verdun, where 91 candidates also ran.
Accessibility Adjustments and Voting Delays
To accommodate all voters, Elections Canada says it will offer large-print lists of candidates and has redesigned braille templates for visually impaired individuals. Election officers with advanced experience have been assigned to manage polling stations in the riding.
Still, the agency warns that the form and size of the ballot may cause longer wait times, increased potential for spoiled ballots, and delayed reporting of results. “We anticipate a small increase in service times at the polls and a later-than-usual release of final results for Carleton,” Elections Canada said in a statement.
Reform vs. Representation
The Longest Ballot Committee has previously used similar tactics in other ridings to draw attention to Canada’s voting system, arguing that the current structure allows for skewed representation and discourages voter engagement. Their presence in Poilievre’s riding is particularly symbolic given the high-profile nature of the Conservative leader’s campaign.
Meanwhile, Liberal Leader Mark Carney, making his first run for office, is facing a much more conventional race in the neighboring Nepean riding, where he is up against just four opponents.
Surge in Advance Voter Turnout
Despite the ballot confusion in Carleton, advance polls nationwide have seen a historic surge in turnout. Over 7.3 million Canadians cast early ballots during the four-day advance voting period — a 25% increase over the 2021 federal election.
While Carleton voters may face a few hurdles on election day, Elections Canada is urging patience and promising that every vote will be counted — even if it takes longer than usual to get the final tally.
