TORONTO: – Advance voting began on Thursday, May 19, in Ontario. Voters can cast their ballot at any advance voting location in their electoral district from 10 AM to 8 PM (Eastern Time) for the next 10 days.
Advance voting is also available at returning offices and satellite offices from May 21 to May 27.
Before voters head to the polls, they can check the dates that advance voting locations, returning and satellite offices in their electoral district are open by visiting elections.on.ca or downloading the Elections Ontario app. They can also call their returning office for more information.
There are many days and ways to vote in this election. If voters have received their voter information card, they can take it with them when they go to vote. Voters do not need their voter information card to cast their ballot but must bring one piece of ID showing their name and residential address. Examples of accepted ID can be found on our website.
Greg Essensa, Chief Electoral Officer of Ontario, said: “Starting today, voters in Ontario can cast their ballots during 10 days of advance voting. As part of our modernization efforts, voters can use the Elections Ontario app to find their advance voting locations and get a scannable version of their voter information card—one of the many ways we are working to make voting easier.”
Important Dates
• May 4 to 31 – Apply to work in the election at jobs.elections.on.ca.
• May 4 to 27 – Submit your application to vote by mail by 6 PM (Eastern Time) on May 27. Apply online or download an application form at elections.on.ca. Updated statistics on the number of applications received and number of voting kits sent out will be available at elections.on.ca.
• May 5 to June 1 – Vote by special ballot at your local returning office or satellite office until 6 PM (Eastern Time) on June 1.
• May 19 to 28 – Vote at any advance voting location in your electoral district from 10 AM to 8 PM (Eastern Time).
• May 21 to 27 – Advance voting at your returning or satellite office from 10 AM to 8 PM (Eastern Time).
• May 21 to June 2 – Use assistive voting technology at your returning office.
• June 1 to 2 – Political advertising blackout in effect from June 1 to June 2.
• June 2 – Election surveys that have not previously been made public may not be published from 12:01 AM to 9 PM (Eastern Time).
• June 2 – Vote on election day from 9 AM to 9 PM (Eastern Time).
Elections Ontario is the non-partisan agency responsible for administering provincial elections, by-elections and referenda. For more information, visit elections.on.ca or call 1-888- 668-8683 (TTY: 1-888-292-2312).
Meanwhile, Premier Doug Ford has maintained his lead in opinion polls. His new slogan ‘We Will Get It Done’ is resonating with voters.
As the four major political party leaders faced off on Monday night in their final debate, CBC poll tracker reported that the Doug Ford and his party are well on their way to form another majority government.
In Hamilton on Thursday, Ford said: “After 15 years of the Del-Duca Wynne Liberals chasing jobs away, the Ontario PCs are bringing jobs & investment back to Ontario. We will Get It Done & become a global leader on clean steel as we rebuild our economy with better jobs and bigger paycheques. We’re saying YES to a historic $1.8 billion deal with ArcelorMittal Dofasco, protecting 4,600 good jobs in Hamilton & across the province.
“We’re the only party with a plan to keep costs down by lowering gas taxes, getting rid of license plate stickers and removing unfair tolls on Highways 412 and 418.”
Unlike other years, several unions, especially in the construction and building industries and manufacturing have all lined up behind Ford. And analysts have been quoted as saying that “Ford has also been able to portray himself as a much more moderate politician than some may have expected.”
In March, it was reported taht Premier Doug Ford’s approval rating had bounced back to its highest level in a year. The Angus Reid survey provided a more optimistic outlook for Ford.