Everything you need to know to vote in Toronto’s 2022 election

Thestar.com
Sept. 23, 2022

Toronto’s municipal election is just weeks away. We’ve got you covered with answers for all your burning election day questions. Or at least some of them. What you wear to the polls is up to you.

Who gets elected on municipal voting day?

The mayor, 25 city councillors and 39 school trustees across Toronto’s four school boards.

When is election day?

Along with other municipalities across Ontario, Toronto will head to the polls on Oct. 24 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Don’t worry, if you’re still in line to vote by 8 o’clock, your ballot will be counted.

Is there early polling?

Advance voting is available from Oct. 7-14 (between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.) at 50 different locations across Toronto, two in each ward.

How do I vote by mail?

For the first time in Toronto’s history, you can vote by mail in a municipal election. The deadline to apply for mail-in voting is Sept. 23. You can apply through this link or by calling 311. If accepted, you’ll receive a mail-in voting package, which you must complete and mail back by Oct. 21 at 12 p.m.

You can drop your voting package in a Canada Post mailbox or one of the 25 yellow drop boxes, located in each of the city’s wards. You can find a map of where they are on toronto.ca. The drop boxes are secured with extra locks and cabling, and will be monitored by CCTV cameras. City staff will collect the ballots daily.

Where can I find my nearest polling station?

As of Sept. 20, there will be 1,460 polling stations across the city. Find the one closest to you by visiting toronto.ca.

Who’s eligible to vote?

If you’re a Canadian citizen, Toronto resident, 18 or older, and not barred from voting due to a past crime, you are eligible to vote.

Non-Toronto residents who own or rent property in the city are also eligible to vote, and so are their spouses. As can university students who currently live outside of the city but consider Toronto their home.

How do I check if I’m on the voters list?

To add your name to the voters list, confirm you’re already on it or change your voter information, visit myvote.toronto.ca/home, email VoterRegistration@toronto.ca or call 311 before Sept. 23.

If you miss that deadline, you can still add your name to the voting list at your local polling station when you show up to vote.

What do I need to vote?

All you need is one piece of identification that includes your name and address, such as a driver’s licence or a tax form. Photo ID isn’t necessary. There’s a list of acceptable IDs on toronto.ca.

Voter information cards (VICs), which are mailed to Torontonians on the voter list, can speed up the process, though they can’t serve as identification.

Can people experiencing homelessness vote?

Yes, people who have no fixed address can also vote. Shelters and drop-in centres have information cards and posters detailing the nearing voting place. An administrator at one of those locations will sign a letter that qualifies the individual as a Toronto resident. If they don’t have eligible ID, they’ll likely be expected to sign a declaration asserting who they are at the polling station.

Can I leave work to vote?

Yes, your employer must ensure you have three available hours to vote. So, for a shift that begins at 10 a.m. and ends at 6 p.m., you’re entitled to leave an hour early in order to vote sometime between 5 and 8 p.m.

Are voting materials available in languages other than English?

Yes, voting material has been translated to braille and 25 different languages.

Who is running for mayor?

There are 31 candidates running for mayor, including incumbent John Tory. The full list is available on toronto.ca.

How do I find out who is running in my ward, and what their platforms are?

You can see who’s running in your ward through toronto.ca.