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FacebookHow To: Vote in Ontario Provincial Elections
by Apathy is Boring — September 8, 2011
Ontarians - duty is calling. An election is your chance to make your voice heard. Is it your first time? Don't be nervous. Just follow this step-by-step guide and cast your ballot like a pro.
In order to vote in an Ontario provincial election, you must be:
- 18 years of age or older on election day;
- A Canadian citizen;
- A resident of Ontario (you're still eligible if you're temporarily living outside of the province).
If you are already registered to vote, you will receive a Notice of Registration in the mail sometime in September. The notice will also have information about where and when you can vote.
If you haven't received a Notice of Registration, you can still vote in the election. There are two ways to register:
- Register at the polls. You can register when you show up to vote on election day or an advance polling day. To register at the polls, you will need to show ID that proves your name and current address.
- Register in advance. You can also register before election day by contacting your local Returning Officer, who will tell you where to apply and what ID to bring. You can get their contact information from Elections Ontario.
You can find your polling station for advance or regular polling here. Your Notice of Registration will also list the location of your local polling station.
Election Day in Ontario is October 6th, 2011, and polls are open from 9am to 9pm.
You need two pieces of ID to vote: one to prove your identity, and another to prove your address. If you received a Notice of Registration, you can use it as your proof of address. If you're registering on election day, you will need one piece of official ID with your name and address (for example, a driver's license). The full list of acceptable ID is available here.
Don't worry - you can still vote during advance polling or by mailing in a special ballot.
Advance polls are just like voting on election day, just earlier. They're open every day from Wednesday, September 21 to Friday, September 30, from 10am to 8pm. The location of your advance poll can be found on the Elections Ontario website.
If you can’t make it out on either election day or the advance polling days, a special ballot allows you to vote by mail. Special ballot applications are available starting on September 7th, and the deadline to apply is 6pm ET on September 30th. You can apply for a special ballot by contacting Elections Ontario.
Your employer has to give you three consecutive hours off while the polls are open (between 9am and 9pm). Just remember that you have to give them seven days of notice if you plan to vote. Also, this rule doesn’t apply to you if polling stations are open for three hours before or after your shift.
You can still vote by mailing in a special ballot.
You have two options if you are away at college or university:
- If you're going to school in Ontario, you can either vote in the riding where you're living on election day, or you can vote in your home riding. For example, if you're from Sudbury and going to school in Kingston, you can register to vote in either riding. Of course, if you decide to vote in your home riding, you may also need to apply for a special ballot.
- If you're going to school outside of Ontario, you can vote by mail by requesting a special ballot.
You can update your registration by contacting your returning office through Elections Ontario or when you go to vote on election day.
You are eligible to vote in the riding where you have eaten or slept most often during the five weeks before the election. More information is available from Elections Ontario.
You can learn more about the different parties and issues on the Party Profiles section of our website.
Where can I get more information about voting?
You can get more information and assistance from Elections Ontario.
Election day is October 6, and polls are open from 9am to 9pm.
Advance polls are open from Wednesday, September 21 to Friday, September 30, every day from 10am to 8pm.
Special ballot applications are available from Thursday, September 8 until Friday, September 30 at 6pm ET (5pm CT). You must return your ballot by 6pm ET (5pm CT) on October 5 for your vote to be counted.
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