UPCOMING ELECTION
As we approach the October 27th election date, there is a couple things to notice about the procedure. Please make sure to remember these tips in order to enact on your civil duty.
Who Can Vote
- a Canadian citizen; and
- at least 18 years old; and
- a resident in the City of Toronto; or
- a non-resident of the City of Toronto, but you or your spouse own or rent property in the City; and
- not prohibited from voting under any law
You may only vote once in the City of Toronto municipal election regardless of how many properties you own or rent within the City. You must vote in the ward where you live.
An owner or tenant of non-residential property, or their spouse, is not eligible to vote for School Board Trustee.
Terms you may need help understanding
- As a resident elector
- Your residence is where you live. If you live in a municipality, then you are eligible to vote in that municipality's election. You are only allowed to have one residence.
- As a non-resident elector
- If you live in one municipality, and own or rent property in another municipality, you are eligible to vote in each municipality's election.
- As the spouse of a non-resident elector
- If your spouse qualifies as a non-resident elector in a municipality, then you can also vote in that municipality's election.
Students
If you are a student and consider your "home" to be the place where you live when you are not attending school, which means you plan on returning there, then you are eligible to vote in both your "home" municipality and in the municipality where you currently live while attending school. If you are a student attending school in another city, please check with the City Clerk of that municipality to find out what your voting options are.As a student and a resident of the City of Toronto, if you are unable to vote in the 2014 Municipal Election, you may appoint another elector as Proxy to vote on your behalf. Find out more about appointing a Proxy.
Who Can Vote in a School Board Election
In order to vote in a school board election you must be 18 years of age or older, and a Canadian citizen. If you are a resident of municipality, you are eligible to vote for school board trustee. If you are the owner or tenant (or spouse of an owner of tenant) of residential property in a municipality, you are eligible to vote for school trustee. Note: school boards can cover a large area of a municipality. You are only allowed to vote for the same school board once.If you are eligible to vote in a municipality because you are the owner or tenant (or spouse of an owner or tenant) of a commercial property there, you are not eligible to vote for school trustee.
There are four different kinds of school boards in Ontario:
English-language public school board
This is the default - unless you are qualified to vote for a separate or French board, you will vote for the English public school board in your area.
English language separate school board
You must be Roman Catholic, and you must be a separate school board supporter or the spouse of a separate school board supporter. If your spouse is a Roman Catholic and you are not, you are not eligible.
French language public school board
You must be a French language rights holder, and you must be a supporter (or the spouse of a supporter) of the French language public school board.
French language separate school board
You must be a Roman Catholic and a French language rights holder, and you must be a supporter (or the spouse of a supporter) of the French separate school board. If your spouse is a Roman Catholic and you are not, you are not eligible.
"Supporter" refers to which school board the school portion of your property taxes goes to. The default is the public school system. In order to be a separate school supporter you must direct your taxes to the separate school system. Contact the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (1-866-296-6722) for more information.
Who Cannot Vote
You are prohibited from voting on voting day if you are:- a person serving a sentence of imprisonment in a penal or correctional institution
- a corporation
- a person acting as executor or trustee or in another representative capacity, except as a voting proxy
- a person convicted of a corrupt practice described in section 90(3) of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996
Identification is needed when you go to vote. Remember to bring:
- One piece of identification showing your name and qualifying (Toronto) address
Your voter information card cannot be used as a piece of identification. View the complete list of acceptable identification.
- If you do not have acceptable ID, but your name is on the voters' list you will be required to sign a Declaration of Identity to receive a ballot.
- If you do not have acceptable ID, and are not on the voters' list, you will be asked to return with your ID in order to receive a ballot.
The Voters' List
Being on the City of Toronto voters' list ensures that you will receive the Voter Information Card (VIC) that tells you when and where to vote. Having your VIC will speed up your time spent at the voting place.
What is the voters' list and how does it get made?
The voters' list is a list of eligible electors in the City of Toronto.The Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) is responsible for preparing the preliminary list of electors for each municipality and school board during an election year. It is MPAC's 'Municipal Property Assessment database' of both property owners and tenants that is used to prepare this preliminary list. The preliminary list of electors aids Election Services in the preparation of the final voters' list for election day. This preliminary list of electors is sent to Election Services and beginning September 2, the Revision Period begins. At this time an elector may add their name, change their information or delete their name from the voters' list. During the revision period the voters' list is available for viewing at the City Clerk's Office locations Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
How to check the voters' list
Eligible electors can check that they are on the voters' list by using the MyVote tool or by calling 416-338-1111 (TTY 416-338-0889). To update their information eligible electors can download and complete a Voters' List Amendment Application and submit in person to one of the City Clerk's Office locations or by mail to 89 Northline Road. Full submission instructions are on the form.
You may also add your name to the voters' list at the voting place when you go to vote. You will be asked for identification showing your name and qualifying Toronto address.
Accessible Elections
"There should be no hierarchy of citizenship when it comes to voting in Canada: no second class voters."
(Canadian Human Rights Tribunal: Hughes, James Peter v. Elections Canada)
Accessibility Plan
The focus of this Plan is to ensure that electoral services are accessible to all electors and candidates, to identify and eliminate barriers for persons with disabilities and to create a positive voting experience.
The City Clerk's Office will continue to learn, develop and adjust our approaches in order to meet the needs of persons with disabilities. The review of accessibility issues and initiatives and addressing barrier prevention or removal is an ongoing practice. This Plan will be improved and updated as new opportunities are identified or become available.
Highlights of services available to electors with disabilities can also be found under Special Services for Voters.
Below this section, you can find our strategy and initiatives to make elections accessible to all.
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