THUNDER BAY – POLITICS 2.0 – Ontario’s Chief Electoral Officer, Greg Essensa, today confirmed that the writs have been issued to administer a provincial general election in Ontario on June 7, 2018. There are important changes to note for the 2018 General Election.
Elections Ontario is modernizing the voting process and putting the needs of electors first by introducing technology in the polls. Election officials will be using electronic poll books (e-Poll books) and vote tabulators across the province for advance voting. On election day, 50% of the polls will have vote tabulators and e-Poll books and serve 90% of electors.
E-Poll books make it easier and faster for an elector to get a ballot. Election officials will use the e‑Poll books to strike voters names from the Voters List before providing them with their ballot. Voters will then cast their ballot using vote tabulators, delivering faster and improved service to Ontario’s electors, thanks to this technology.
The number of electoral districts in Ontario is increasing from 107 to 124. Some electors may be voting in a different location or electoral district for this election. Electors are encouraged to confirm, update or add their information on the Voters List before they go to vote. Registered voters will be sent a Voter Information Card with information about when and where to vote. Voters can check their information online with e-Registration at www.elections.on.ca.
Canadian citizens who reside in Ontario, and are at least 18 years of age on election day, are eligible to vote. Ontario electors can find a list of acceptable identification documents and information about when and where to vote on www.elections.on.ca.
Quick Facts
- Electors can vote by special ballot at a returning office or through a home visit from May 10, 2018, until 6:00 P.M. (Eastern Time) on June 6, 2018.
- Candidate nominations close at 2:00 P.M. (Eastern Time) on May 17.
- Advance voting will be available from May 26 to May 30 at area advance voting locations in electoral districts, and from May 26 to June 1 in returning offices. Advance voting hours are from 10:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M.
- Assistive Voting Technology will be available in all returning offices and satellite offices from May 26 to June 6 at 6:00 P.M. (Eastern Time). To learn more about our accessible services visit www.elections.on.ca.
- A blackout on political advertising begins at midnight on June 5, 2018, and ends at 11:59 P.M. (Eastern Time) on June 7, 2018.
- The publication of election surveys that have not previously been made public is prohibited between midnight (Eastern Time) June 6, 2018, and 9:00 P.M. (Eastern Time) on June 7, 2018.
- Election day is June 7, 2018. Polls will be open from 9:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M. (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).