Advance voting in Toronto down from 2014 election

Thestar.com
Oct. 15
David Rider

The city says 124,306 Torontonians voted in advance polls that ended Sunday-- early turnout significantly down from advance polls in 2014 but higher than in prior civic elections.

In a news release the city called the turnout “strong,” even though it’s down 23 per cent from 161,147 early votes in the 2014 election. City clerk Ulli Watkiss added she is “pleased that so many voters have chosen to take advantage of the city’s advance voting opportunities.

“We hope this turnout continues on election day, and all eligible electors come out to vote on October 22.”

The advanced voting period was compressed to five days from a planned nine days because of upheaval caused by Premier Doug Ford’s midelection cut to the size of council, and the ensuing court challenges, that eventually saw what started in May as a 47-ward election turn into a 25-ward contest.

In 2014 there were six days of advance voting.

Some worry confusion over new boundaries and candidates will drive down participation.

Turnout for mayor and council is traditionally low compared to participation in provincial and federal elections. Toronto turnout, however, surged to 60.4 per cent in the 2014 election that saw John Tory, Doug Ford and Olivia Chow garner the most mayoral votes.

The previous three elections saw total turnout averaging about 43 per cent, with half of eligible voters casting ballots in 2010.

This year’s advance polls, for people away on election day or just eager to vote, were busiest on Sunday, when 36,711 votes were cast. The fewest voters, 18,483, marked their ballots last Friday.

In a report after the last civic election, Watkiss called the huge bump in 2014 advance voting a “landmark achievement” and “an election within an election.” The 2010 election saw 77,349 early voters, while the previous two elections each had around 42,000.

On election night unofficial results will be posted in real-time starting after voting locations close, at 8 p.m. on the Election Services website.