A provincial election has been called, and the non-partisan Elections Ontario organization is dedicated to informing and helping all Canadian citizens, age 18 and older, and residents of Ontario to vote!
SOME BASIC FACTS:
There are 28 voting days in the election period. You can choose the day and way that works best for you. You can vote:
- In person on election day (February 27) at your assigned voting location, between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.
- In person at an advance voting location in your electoral district (more details below).
- In person at your local election office from January 30 until 6 PM (Eastern Time) the day before election day (February 27).
- By mail—submit a Vote by Mail application and a copy of one piece of ID by 6 PM (Eastern Time) on February 21.
- By requesting a home visit from your local election office if you are unable to go to your voting location because of a disability or if you require assistance to vote
Candidates can still register until 2 p.m. Feb. 13 at the returning office (in each riding). So if you want to vote at the Returning Office before Feb. 13, you need to know the name of the candidate you wish to vote for and write his/her name on the ballot.
ADVANCE POLLS
Advance Polls will be open 10 am to 8 pm.
- Friday, Feb. 21
- Saturday, Feb. 22
- Sunday, Feb. 23
In the Richmond Hill Riding, advance polls will be held at
- Bayview Hill Community Centre (Weldrick East and Spadina)
- Langstaff Community Centre (Red Maple and Bantry)
- Elgin Barrow Arena (Lorne Avenue and Church Street South, just east of Yonge Street).
VOTER INFORMATION CARDS
If you are a registered voter (on the Voter’s List), a Voter Information Card (VIC) will be sent to you once an election has been called. Your VIC will have information about:
- your assigned voting location for election day
- advance voting locations in your electoral district
- your local election office address and contact information
If you receive a VIC, you can use it as your voter ID.
If you are NOT registered and on the Voter’s List, you can still vote, provided you’re 18, a Canadian citizen, and resident of Ontario and can show a piece of identification with your name and address.
Acceptable identification with name and home address includes: Ontario driver’s licence; Ontario photo ID card, statement of Old Age Security; bank account or credit card statement; school transcript or report card; pay stub or T4 issued by an employer; property tax bill; utility bill such as hydro, gas or water; and many more provincial or municipal issued documents.
You can add your name to the Voter’s List by registering by Feb. 17. Go to www.RegisterToVoteOn.ca
VOTING BY MAIL
You can apply to vote by mail once an election has been called. Apply online at www.votebymail.elections.on.ca.
Alternatively, you can download and print an application from elections.on.ca or pick up an application at your local election office.
Elections Ontario must receive your application and a copy of one piece of ID by 6 PM (Eastern Time) on February 21.
Once your application is approved, you will be mailed a voting kit with instructions for completing and submitting your ballot. You can use the prepaid envelope to return your voting kit or drop it off at your local election office. If you are outside of Canada, you will be responsible for the international postage.
HOME VISITS
You can request to vote by home visit if you are:
- unable to go to your local election office because of a disability
- unable to read or write
- unable to complete an application form
- someone who requires assistance
To request a home visit, contact your local election office www.elections.on.ca
OTHER LANGUAGES
For a general election, a basic election information pamphlet is also available in other languages on the Elections Ontario website. (Some examples include Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Gujarati, Hindi, Italian, Portuguese, Punjabi, Russian, Spanish, Tamil and Urdu.)
Voters can use an assistive device or bring a friend or support person to help them vote. Elections Ontario will cover the cost of an interpreter or intervenor. More information can be found in the accessible voting section on Elections Ontario’s website.
Find more information about the different ways to vote, go to www.elections.on.ca.
