Our city’s next mayor faces an intersection of pressing issues: record-breaking levels of food insecurity and poverty, unprecedented food inflation, a deteriorating public transit system and an affordable-housing crisis. It’s critical that everyone who is eligible casts their vote to make sure they have a say as to who will lead Toronto through the next four years.
Read on to learn who’s eligible to vote, how the new mail-in option works and more to ensure your voice is heard on by-election day.
When is by-election day?
By-election day has officially been called for Monday, June 26. Polling places will be open from 10am – 8pm.
Advance voting is open from June 8-13, from 10am – 7pm every day.
Am I eligible to vote?
To vote in Toronto’s by-election, you must be:
Note: You may only vote once regardless of how many properties you own or rent in the city.
Getting on the voters’ list
Everyone on the voters’ list will be mailed a Voter Information Card telling them the hours and locations of polls.
If you do not get a Voter Information Card, check online to see if you are registered to vote through the city’s MyVote website. There you can enter your address to:
If you are an eligible voter but you’re not on the voters’ list, you can still add your name at voting locations on election day itself. The election official will add you to the voters’ list and ask you to sign a declaration.
What ID will I need?
One piece of identification (ID) showing your name and qualifying Toronto address is needed when you go to vote. No photo ID is required. A full list of acceptable identification can be found here.
Can I take time off to vote on by-election day?
Voting hours on by-election day are from 10am to 8pm. You are entitled to ensure you have three hours within this time period in which to vote on voting day.
Typically, this is at the start or end of your working hours. For example, if your working hours are from 10am to 6pm, you are entitled to leave one hour early so that you would have from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. to vote.
New option: mail-in voting
This by-election, the City is offering a new mail-in voting option so voters have a choice to conveniently vote from home. If you want to use mail-in voting, you must complete your application by 4:30pm on Friday, May 26. They’ll start sending out voting packages on May 23, and completed voting packages must be received by June 15 at noon. Find out more about mail-in voting and how to apply here.
What if I need other accommodations to vote?
Additional voting options and accommodations can be found here. This includes appointing another voter (proxy) to vote on your behalf, curbside voting, personal assistance to voters, accessible voting equipment, ballot transfer, audio-visual resources, translated materials and language services, transportation to voting places, information for voters experiencing homelessness or those on remand, dedicated accessibility telephone line/email and much more.
All queries may be directed to the City Clerk’s Office. Further information is available online here.
Did you know Daily Bread Food Bank and partner organizations are hosting a mayoral candidates debate on Monday, May 15? Learn more here.
