Voting primer
What documents do you need? What help’s available? Read on for a guide to casting your ballot
After a tumultuous six-month election campaign, voting day — Monday, Oct. 22 — is here.
Today, voters will decide which of the 35 candidates will be mayor, and who out of more than 250 candidates will win one of 25 councillor seats for the next four years.
Here’s everything you need to know to cast your ballot.
When do I vote?
Polls are open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Where do I vote?
You must vote in the ward you live in. Each of the 25 wards has two voting stations. To find locations close to you, visit myvote.toronto.ca.
Am I eligible to vote in the Toronto municipal election?
Any Canadian citizen 18 years or older who is a resident of Toronto, or owns or rents property in the city, is a spouse of someone who owns or rents property in the city, and isn’t prohibited from voting under any law can vote in the municipal election.
People cannot vote if they’re serving a sentence of incarceration, convicted of a corrupt practice under the Municipal Elections Act, or as a corporation.
They also cannot vote acting as an executor or trustee, except if they’re a voting proxy.
Students attending school in Toronto can vote both in the city and in the municipality they call home. Toronto residents attending school elsewhere can still vote in Toronto’s municipal election, and can appoint another voter to proxy vote on their behalf.
Am I eligible to vote in the Toronto school board election?
The same eligibility rules apply as in the municipal election with the exception that only owners or tenants of residential, not commercial, property can vote for a trustee.
People are allowed to vote for the same school board once, and must be a “separate school board supporter” or spouse of one to vote for trustees outside the English public school board system.
In order to support another school board (such as Catholic or French language), people must have already directed their property taxes to another system.
To vote for a Catholic school board trustee, you must also be Roman Catholic. To vote for a French school board trustee, you must be a French language rights holder, or the spouse of one.
I didn’t receive a voter information card. Can I still vote?
Yes. A voter information card is not mandatory, although it speeds up the voting process at the poll site.
What identification do I need to bring to vote?
You are required to show documentation with your name and Toronto address, such as a driver’s licence, tax documents, bank account statement, utility bill or payment stub. Your documentation doesn’t have to have a photo.
I can’t make it out to vote. Can I still cast a ballot?
Yes. Eligible voters who are unable to vote for any reason can appoint another eligible voter to vote on their behalf by submitting a proxy appointment form and providing identification to the city clerk by 4:30 p.m. Forms can be picked up in person during regular business hours at city clerk office locations: Election Services at 89 Northline Rd., city hall at 100 Queen St. W., Etobicoke Civic Centre at 399 The West Mall, North York Civic Centre at 5100 Yonge St. or the Scarborough Civic Centre at 150 Borough Dr. They can also be obtained by calling 416-338-1111 or emailing voterregistration@toronto.ca.
Am I allowed to leave work to vote?
Yes. You are entitled to three hours to vote.
I have a disability, or other special needs. Can I still vote?
Yes. If you are unable to go inside a voting place, election officials can meet you at your vehicle or outside the building.
Inside voting places, voter assisted terminals provide a way for you to vote independently, offering a touchscreen, audio, Braille key pad, sip-puff tube device, rocker paddle-foot switch and zoom features.
For more information on accessibility, contact the city at accessibleelections@toronto.ca or 416-338-1111 ext. 6.
How do I find out who won?
The city and the Star will post live election results on their websites starting at 8 p.m. on Oct. 22.