More than 100, 000 New Democrats started voting Monday to choose the federal party’s next leader, as the high-stakes ndp leadership race enters its final stage before its March 29 finish. The vote follows a campaign that drew roughly 40, 000 new members since it started in September, per party figures. Five candidates remain and the outcome will determine the direction of the party ahead of the March 29, 2026 (ET) announcement.
Ndp Leadership Race: What’s happening now
Voting opened Monday and will run to the contest’s March 29 conclusion, with the new leader to be announced on March 29, 2026 (ET). The ndp leadership race has driven membership growth of roughly 40, 000 since September and leaves the federal caucus sitting at seven seats in Parliament. The five final contenders are Avi Lewis, Edmonton MP Heather McPherson, labour leader Rob Ashton, social worker Tanille Johnston and farmer Tony McQuail; Avi Lewis has set a new fundraising benchmark for this contest by collecting more than $1. 2 million.
Campaign events included an Ottawa rally that drew about 800 people on March 6, 2026 (ET), where Lewis challenged the major parties on choices he said leave policies such as public grocery and telecom options and a “green new deal” off the table. The ndp leadership race has produced a surge in new members and fundraising, and the party will be watching turnout among those new members closely. Turnout among new members will determine whether the ndp leadership race delivers the change candidates have promised.
Immediate reactions
Kayden Dioguardi, a 20-year-old first-time NDP member who has experienced homelessness and delays in her high school education, said, “I was mostly doing strategic voting, which I regret ultimately now. I’m disappointed in him. ” Dioguardi had cast a ballot for Prime Minister Mark Carney in last year’s federal election but says she has since become disillusioned and is now backing Avi Lewis in the ndp leadership race.
Don Davies, interim NDP leader, said, “The fundraising numbers, as well as the excitement that our leadership race has generated, I think bodes really well for the NDP. ” Campaign organisers point to record fundraising and membership as signs of momentum, even as the party sits at seven seats and faces stagnating poll results that contrast with broad approval ratings for Carney’s Liberals. Supporters at recent rallies have framed the ndp leadership race as a fight over whether the party returns to grassroots organising or pursues broader electoral appeal.
The five candidates have not laid out a single, unified plan in public in this phase for how to win back past supporters or to move past challenges that have plagued the party, and that gap is central to how voters are approaching their ballots.
What’s next
Members began casting ballots Monday; the party will declare its new leader on March 29, 2026 (ET). The ndp leadership race will be watched for signs of whether the party can convert membership growth and fundraising into a clearer electoral strategy and whether a winner can present a path to re‑engage former voters. The final hours of the ndp leadership race will test campaign networks and the party’s claim of renewed momentum as the March 29 announcement approaches.
