How To Vote
Election day is Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Who can vote?
If, on election day, you are:
- 18 years of age or older,
- a Canadian citizen, and
- a resident of an electoral district in Ontario
then you can vote.
I will be out of town. How do I vote by proxy?
If for any reason you will be unable to cast your ballot in person on election day or at an advance poll, proxy voting allows you to appoint another qualified elector in your electoral district to vote on your behalf. If you wish to vote by proxy, you must fill out and sign an Application to Vote by Proxy.Your signature must also be witnessed by someone other than the person you are appointing. You may then give or send this to the person you are appointing as your proxy. Your proxy takes the signed application form to the electoral district Returning Office before the deadline and, upon approval, is issued a Certificate to Vote. This certificate is presented at either an advance poll or at the poll on election day and the ballot is cast on your behalf.
For more information, see the vote by proxy section.
How will I know if I’m on the voters list?
The majority of qualified voters are already on the Permanent Register of Electors for Ontario, which is used to prepare the preliminary Voters List for elections, by-elections and for a referendum.
When an election is called, a Notice of Registration card is mailed to voters confirming they are on the list. It also lets them know the location of their election day poll, as well as dates and locations of advance polls.
If you do not receive your Notice of Registration card, you may not be on the Voters List. If you are qualified to vote but not on the list, it's simple to correct. See "Can I vote if I'm not on the list?"
I still vote if I’m not on the list?
If you’re qualified to vote, but not on the list, you have two options:
1) Obtain a Certificate to Vote.
You may obtain a Certificate to Vote from the Revision Assistant at your electoral district Returning Office or at any advance poll location. This is exchanged for a ballot at the advance poll or at the poll location on election day. (Certificates to Vote are issued up to 8:00 p.m. the day before election day.)
2) Have your name added to the Voters List at your polling place on election day.
In order to have your name added:
- you must make a statutory declaration to establish your identity and your qualifications,
- you must complete an application to be added to the list (F0520), and
- you must confirm your identity and residence by providing appropriate identification
EITHER
One identification document that shows your name, address, and signature, such as a driver's licence
OR
Two identification documents.
One that shows your name and signature, such as an old age security card, credit card, passport or citizenship card.
and
One that shows your name and your residence address, such as a tax bill or a utility bill.
There are other documents that may serve to satisfy poll officials. These could include a book of cheques printed with your residence address or a letter from a major corporation such as a bank or trust company. If you are unsure, please contact us.
What time are the polls open?
Advance Polls – 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Election Day – 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
How much time do I have for voting on Election Day?
Every voter is entitled to have three consecutive hours during which the polls are open in order to vote. Employers whose employees have three consecutive hours of their own time available during polling hours need not allow additional time for voting. If, however, an employee does not have this time available, it is stressed that the amount of time required:
- must be requested by the employee,
- is at a time convenient to the employer, and
- once requested by the employee, must be allowed by the employer.