Wednesday, October 10, 2007 is voting day for the Provincial Election. But who can vote? How do you get on the Voters List? Can you have time off work to vote? The answers are below.

What am I voting for? This is your chance to select your Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) for the next four years. The MPP is the person who rep-resents you, and people who live near you, to the provincial level of government. The Province makes decisions on issues and/or funds programs such as: minimum wage, social assistance rates (Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program), hospitals, settlement programs, child care, education and much more.

This year you will also have the chance to vote on a referendum question that gives Ontarians the chance to change the structure of the voting system. You will be asked whether or not you support a change, as decided by the Citizens’ Assembly, from our current single vote system to mixed member proportional representation which allows you to vote once for a local candidate and once for a political party.

Why should I vote? Voting is a democratic right, and some would argue, responsibility. It is your chance to make your voice heard. Many of the issues that MPPs make decisions on directly impact you and your family. Voting is a way to let candidates and parties know what issues are important to you. When you don’t choose to vote, you’re letting other people determine what is important to you.

Who can vote? On Election Day, if you are 18 years old or older, a Canadian citizen and live in Ontario then YOU can vote. People who are Ontario students at a school outside the province or inmates in a federal or provincial jail can vote by proxy. (This means getting a special form and asking someone else to vote on their behalf – for more details see the contact info below).

How do I get on the Voters List? Most people qualified to vote are already on the “Permanent Register of Electors for Ontario” which is used to prepare the Voters List. Shortly after the election is officially called, you will receive a Notice of Registration card which confirms that you are on the list and lets you know about dates of advance polls, and voting locations. If you don’t receive this you might not be on the Voters List but that’s easy to fix. Contact your district’s Returning Office (see Elections Ontario contact info) for details. You can also get added to the list on election day if you complete an application to be added to the list, make a declaration about your identity and qualifications, and bring proper ID (either a driver’s licence or other ID that shows your name, address and signature OR two pieces of ID, one with a name and signature (credit card, citizenship card) and one that shows your name and address (lease, utility bill, bank statement).

When can I vote? Advance voting days – Dates to be determined. Polls open from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm. Wednesday, October 10th - 9:00 am to 8:00 pm.

What if I have to work? By law, you must have three consecutive hours of your own time to vote on election day. If you finish work by 5:00 pm, this won’t be a concern. However, if you start work earlier than noon and finish later than 5:00 pm (i.e. working 10 am to 6 pm on election day) than you should ask your employer for a block of time to vote, at a time agreeable to them.

What if I have special needs? Elections Ontario has ensured that all polling locations are accessible to people with physical disabilities. They also have special provisions for people who are blind or visually impaired, Deaf or hard of hearing, and people who speak English as a Second Language. For more information call the Access Line at 1-866-714-2810.

To learn more about voting: http://www.electionsontario.on.ca (416) 326-6300 or 1-800-677-8683 TTY 1-888-292-2312 Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time). Fax: (416) 326-6200 E-mail: info@electionsontario.on.ca

Voter information in Word

Voter information in PDF