For many seasonal residents, a Muskoka cottage offers more than weekends at the lake — it also comes with the right to vote in the municipality where the property is located.
With municipal elections approaching on Oct. 26, eligible seasonal residents who want to cast a ballot where they cottage must first ensure their property is registered on the voters’ list.
How to register you and your additional property on the voters’ list
Non-residents with cottages or additional properties in Muskoka can visit vReg.RegisterToVoteON.ca, select “add,” search for a property other than your home address, fill out the information and confirm the registration of your additional property on the voters’ list.
ID documentation is required to prove your name and home address through an Ontario driver’s licence number, photo card number or through uploading a PDF or image file of an ID that meets requirements.
The additional property must be personally owned or rented by you or your spouse. If your cottage is owned by your business or a trust, then it does not qualify you to vote in that municipality.
Ontario residents who own, rent or share an additional property with a spouse must provide identification and documentation proving ownership or tenancy. Spouses must also provide documentation linking them to the property.
Non-Ontario residents must also provide documentation proving ownership or tenancy of the additional property. Spouses of property owners or tenants must also provide Canadian government-issued identification and documentation linking their spouse to the property.
For more information on accepted documentation for proof of ownership and tenancy, visit Register to Vote.
How has voter turnout been in previous elections from residents and non-residents?
Parry Sound-Muskoka has historically been more engaged than the average Ontario riding during elections, with 70 per cent voter turnout during the most recent federal elections in 2025.
However, municipal elections remain the weakest point for voter participation.
According to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, fewer than one-third of eligible voters participated in Ontario’s 2022 municipal elections — a record low.
The association equally states that despite efforts to make voting more convenient, voter turnout continues to decline.
In Huntsville, over 6,500 resident electors of more than 15,000 eligible voters participated in the 2022 municipal elections.
Regarding Huntsville’s non-resident electors, just over 1,000 participated in the most recent municipal election, with over 5,500 eligible non-resident voters.
Strengthening voter turnout ensures residents and non-residents in Muskoka are being heard and
Whether year-round or seasonal residents, eligible voters can help decide who will represent their municipality over the next four years.
Rebecca Hudescu is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter writing for the Huntsville Forester. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.
By Rebecca Hudescu, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Original Published on Aug 06, 2026 at 06:47
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