The time has come to cast your ballot in the Toronto municipal election. Are you ready? Have you watched the election coverage, read up on each candidate's plans and policies and know who you want to support? Once you've made your decision, here is everything you will need to know to vote.
Where do I vote?
There are several polling stations across your ward and a total of 1,562 across the city.
The City of Toronto has provided a useful guide to assist in your search. Go to the Toronto Votes 2010 website and enter your address for the nearest polling station and its hours of operation.
The location should also be included on voter information cards mailed out earlier this month.
When can I vote?
Unless you have taken advantage of advanced polling, your chance to vote will be Monday, Oct. 25.
Polling stations are open between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. Vote early and often (not really often, just the once), but if you are flirting with closing time, be aware that polling stations will accept all voters who are in line at 8 p.m.
The busiest times for voting are first thing in the morning and after 5 p.m.
What do I need to vote?
All you need to vote is the desire to have your say on who will lead Toronto into the future, a pencil (provided), and appropriate identification requirements. You should also take your voter information card, but if you were not sent a voter information card you will still be able to vote with appropriate ID.
A person must present identification that shows their name, signature and Toronto address.
There are two ways to accomplish this:
- Have a single piece of ID with all the information; a driver's licence with an Ontario health card is one example.
- Have two pieces of ID, one showing your name and signature and another showing your name and Toronto address. An example of this would be a passport and bank statement.
A full list of options can be found here.
How do I vote?
When you arrive at your polling station, an election official will give you a ballot containing all of your options for mayor, local councillor and school board trustee.
Select your option for each of these by placing a small dash in the adjacent square. You will know you did it right because your mark will connect two ends of an arrow. Be careful not to colour outside the lines, lest your ballot be spoiled.
Spoiled?
As in, gone sour; which is how you will feel if your vote doesn't count. So don't mess around in there. If you do make a mistake, take your ruined ballot to the election staff; they can cancel your ballot and issue you a new one.
What if I only want to vote in one or two of the categories?
That is allowed. Leave the other categories blank and your ballot will be counted in the categories you do vote in.
In fact, if you want to vote for no one, you are legally allowed to cast a blank ballot.
How will I know who won?
We're very glad you asked that question, because CTV will give you the details Monday night. CTV News will have a one-hour election special, "Your Voice, Your Vote," starting at 10 p.m.
Ken Shaw and Christine Bentley will have a comprehensive recap of the evening, including an interview with Toronto's new mayor. A complete recap will follow on CTV News at 11:30 p.m. Monday night.
Meanwhile on the web, toronto.ctv.ca will offer comprehensive online coverage, videos and up-to-the-minute election results of the changing political landscape of the city, powered by CTV's on-air election results engine.
