How To: Vote in Ontario Municipal Elections

by Apathy is Boring — October 6, 2010

Can I vote in an Ontario municipal election?

In order to vote in a municipal election, you must:

• be a Canadian citizen;
• be at least 18 years old by Election Day (October 25);
• live or own land in the municipality where you want to vote for at least six months;
• be on the official voters list.

What if I’m not on the voters list?

If you moved recently or are eligible to vote first time, you may not be listed on the voters list. But don’t worry - getting on the list is quick and easy. There are two ways to get your name added to the list:

• You can fill out an application in advance. They’re available at the office of your local city clerk beginning on Tuesday, September 7, 2010. Click here to find the location of your local office.
• You can also register when you go to vote. You will need fill out an application form and provide both ID and proof of your address. If you don’t have ID, a voter who is already on the list can also vouch for you.

What do I need to bring with me?

To vote in a municipal election, you need to prove your identity. You have three options as to what ID you can bring:

• One piece of ID that has your name, signature, and current address
• Two pieces of ID: one with your name and signature, and another with your name and current address

You can find the full list of acceptable pieces of ID here. Basically, any government ID and most official mail is ok.

Where is my polling station? And when is it open?

You should receive a card by mail that gives you the address of your advance polling station as well as the address of your polling station for Election Day. You can also find the address of your polling station by contacting your local City Clerk.

Polling stations are open from 10 am to 8 pm on election day (Monday, October 25).

If you work, you must have three consecutive hours off while the polls are open (between 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on election day). Your employer only has to give you enough time off to give you three clear hours while the polls are open. If the polling station is open three hours before or after you work, they are not required to give you additional time off. Employees scheduled to work must be paid for the time off for voting.

What if I can't make it to a polling station on voting day?

If you can't make it to the polls on election day, there are several other ways to cast your ballot. You can vote during the advance days period before the election. Voting at an advance poll is just like voting at on election day - you just get to cast your ballot earlier. Contact your City Clerk to find out when and where advance polls will be open.

If you can’t make it out on either election day or the advance polling days, you can appoint a proxy voter to cast a ballot for you. Your proxy has to be an eligible elector in the city where you plan to vote. You can only appoint one proxy. Also, you can only serve as a proxy for one person, unless the person you're voting for is an immediate family member (sibling, spouse, parent, or grandparent).

Your proxy voter needs to be certified before they can vote for you. First you need to get a proxy certificate from the City Clerk's office and fill it out. Next, your proxy has to take the certificate, along with your ID (or a photocopy) and their ID, to the City Clerk's office. The clerk's office accepts applications during regular weekday hours from Monday, September 14 until Monday, October 25 (election day). Proxy applications are also accepted from 12 pm to 5 pm on advance polling weekends.

Can I vote if I'm Homeless?

If you're homeless or don't have a permanent address, you can still vote. The district you vote in will be the place where you most frequently returned to sleep or eat during the five weeks before the election. (If you went to different places to sleep and eat, the place where you sleep takes priority.)

What if I need additional help getting to a polling station voting?

Most municipalities have services available for those with accessibility issues. Just make sure to call your City Clerk's office in advance so they have enough time to meet your needs.

If you need any more information about the election or how to vote, check out the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing website.