Why election signs popped up overnight for the 2026 municipal campaign

Advertisement 1 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Breadcrumb Trail Links HomeNewsLocal News Why election signs popped up overnight for the 2026 municipal campaign Mayoral, council and school board candidates in Ottawa were able to post campaign signs starting on Sept. 11. Author of the article: By Abyssinia Abebe Published Sep 11, 2026 3 minute read Join the conversation Volunteers install an election sign for candidate Theresa Kavanagh during the morning of Sept. 11, 2026. PHOTO BY JEAN LEVAC /Postmedia Article content If you think campaign advertisements and election signs popped up — seemingly overnight — it’s because they did. Article content At least some mayoral, councillor and trustee candidates for Ottawa’s upcoming municipal elections did their initial sign blitz overnight, shortly after midnight, when Sept. 10 turned into Sept. 11. Article content Article content Until now, the elections have featured a series of formal bureaucratic processes, including candidate nominations, certifications and disclaimers. Article content Article content But as of Sept. 11 more than a dozen mayoral hopefuls, 85 candidates for councillor and others running for trustee positions with the city’s four school boards had the green light to display their campaign signs. Article content The Evening Citizen The Ottawa Citizen’s best journalism, delivered directly to your inbox by 7 p.m. on weekdays. Sign Up By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Article content Volunteers, campaign managers and councillor candidates worked overnight to post signs in an attempt to earn the votes of their respective constituents. Article content As an example, Ward 1 Orléans East-Cumberland candidate Yvette Ashiri said she and approximately 20 campaign volunteers were to meet for a team briefing late into Thursday evening, reviewing campaign advertisement rules and dividing up the tasks. Article content “This is something that I love very much,” Ashiri said. “There’s a sense of gratitude because you’re putting out your name and that takes a lot of effort and it’s also a way the community can show their support by putting signs on their lawns.” Article content Ward 14 Somerset candidate Ariel Troster, who is seeking re-election in 2026, said volunteers for her campaign would also be putting up signs overnight. Article content “I am not…