Here's how to vote in Ontario's General Election today
Ontario’s Election Day is here at last.
Elections Ontario said that around 768,895 voters participated in advance voting this year, which is almost 19% higher from the last provincial election.
And for the first time, Elections Ontario is rolling out the use of e-Poll books and vote tabulators across the province, and the new technology has resulted in shorter wait times for voters.
On election day today, 50% of the polls will have vote tabulators and e-Poll books serving 90% of electors.
So here’s how to do your civic duty today.
When can I vote?
Voting stations are open from 9 am to 9 pm on Election Day.
Employers are legally obligated to allow electors three consecutive hours to vote, which means that if you work from noon to 8 pm today, you should receive paid leave for the first hour of your shift, or for a full three hours anytime before 9 pm – of your employer’s choosing.
This also means that if you usually get off at 5 pm (4 hours before stations close at 9 pm), or start any time after 1 pm, you won’t be able to use the election to get that extended break, because you’ll already have three consecutive hours to work with.
Where do I vote?
Where you vote is determined by where you live. Your voting location and returning office are based on your current residential address, which means you can only vote at the locations assigned to you.
You can use our Voter Information Service to:
- Find your election day voting location
- Find your returning office information
- Find other days and ways to vote
- Find candidates for your electoral district
If your name and address are on the Voters List, you will receive a Voter Information Card by mail. It will give you:
- Your election day voting location
- Your electoral district
- Your poll number
- Your returning office information
What should I bring?
Electors who are on the Voters List will receive a Voter Information Card in the mail from Elections Ontario with details about when and where to vote. Bring your Voter Information Card and one piece of identification that has your name to vote.
If you do not receive a Voter Information Card, you can still vote, but your name may not be on the Voters List. Bring one piece of identification that has your name and current residential address to vote.
Can I even vote?
To be eligible to vote in an Ontario election, you must be:
- 18 years of age or older, and
- a Canadian citizen, and
- a resident of Ontario
And, most importantly, you show up at your voting station before 9 pm today!
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