News and Press Releases

Here is an important message from Elections Ontario…

MAKE SURE YOUR VOICE IS HEARD.

THIS PROVINCIAL ELECTION SPEAK FOR YOURSELF.

WHEN YOU DON’T VOTE, YOU LET OTHERS
SPEAK FOR YOU.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2003,IS PROVINCIAL ELECTION DAY.

ARE YOU ON THE VOTERS LIST?

CAN I VOTE?
You’re qualified to vote if on election day you are:
18 years of age, a Canadian citizen, and a resident of Ontario

AM I ON THE VOTERS LIST?

If you meet the qualifications and your name is on the Permanent Register of Electors, you’re on the Voters List. You’ll receive a Notice of Registration card in the mail by September 20. It will identify your electoral district, the location of the poll where you vote on election day, and the dates and locations for advance poll voting.

You will also find the address and telephone number of your electoral district Returning Office on your Notice of Registration card. Please contact your Returning Officer if:

> the card contains errors in your name or address;
> the information on the card is not complete; or
> you receive someone else’s card.

Or, if you need to confirm by telephone that you are on the Voters List, call 1-888-668-8683.

And remember to bring your Notice of Registration card with you when you go to vote.

WILL THERE BE DOOR-TO-DOOR ENUMERATION?

No. The Permanent Register of Electors means that province-wide enumeration is no longer necessary. However, in some areas it may still be necessary to identify eligible voters through door-to-door visits. If the Elections Ontario team of revising agents comes to your door, please provide them with the information they need to make sure that the Voters List is complete.

WHAT IF I DON’T RECEIVE A NOTICE OF REGISTRATION CARD BY SEPTEMBER 20?

If you’re qualified to vote but haven’t received your Notice of Registration card by September 20, your name may not be on the Voters List. You may have your name added to the List by applying for a Certificate to Vote at your electoral district Returning Office up to 8 pm on October 1.

You can find out where your Returning Office is located by calling us at 1-888-668-8683.

IF I’M NOT ON THE VOTERS LIST, CAN I REGISTER TO VOTE ON ELECTION DAY?

Yes. If you’re qualified to vote, you can register and vote on election day by completing an application form and showing the following identification to the officials at your voting location:

> EITHER one document that contains your name, current address and signature (such as a driver’s licence)

> OR two documents – one with your name and signature and one with your name and current address

CAN I VOTE BEFORE ELECTION DAY?

Yes. If you’re qualified to vote and your name is on the Voters List, you may vote before election day at any advance poll in your electoral district. Advance polls are held from Saturday, September 20 to Friday, September 26 (Sunday excluded) at locations chosen for ease of access. If you haven’t received your Notice of Registration card and would like to vote at an advance poll, you can apply for a Certificate to Vote at your Returning Officer or at the advance poll location itself when you go there to vote.

CAN I VOTE BY PROXY?

Yes. If you’re qualified to vote and you’re not able to vote in person on election day or at an advance poll, you may appoint another qualified voter in your electoral district to vote on your behalf. Contact us or visit our web site for information on proxy voting.

WHEN AND WHERE CAN I VOTE?

ELECTION DAY. Election day is Thursday, October 2. Voting hours are 9 am – 8 pm (one hour earlier in the Central time zone.) Your voting location is listed on your Notice of Registration card or Certificate to Vote. If you have no record of where to vote, use the “Where Do I Vote” feature on our web site or contact us.

ADVANCE POLLS. Advance polls are held from Saturday, September 20 to Friday, September 26 (Sunday excluded). Voting hours at advance polls are 10 am – 8 pm. Advance poll locations are provided on your Notice of Registration card. They are also available on our web site and they will be advertised in your local newspaper.

The information in this publication is also available in additional languages and in alternative formats. Visit our website at www.electionsontario.on.ca for more
information. Or contact us at 1.888.ONT.VOTE (1.888.668.8683) or at:
TTY: 1.888.292.2312 (for deaf/hard of hearing).

DON’T FORGET TO VOTE

> Election day is Thursday, October 2.
> Advance polls are held from Saturday, September 20 to Friday, September 26 (Sunday excluded).
> Your voting locations are shown on your Notice of Registration card or Certificate to Vote or you can find them on our web site.

AND DON’T FORGET TO BRING YOUR NOTICE OF REGISTRATION CARD WITH YOU.

If you require a sign language interpreter, Ontario Interpreter Services (OIS) makes them available to voters across Ontario on a first-come, first-served basis. Call OIS at the Canadian Hearing Society office nearest you to deter-mine their availability, or contact Elections Ontario for additional information..

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT
www.electionsontario.on.ca http://www.electionsontario.on.ca/
> OR CONTACT US AT 1.888.ONT.VOTE (1.888.668.8683)
TTY: 1.888.292.2312(for deaf/hard of hearing)

info@electionsontario.on.ca

That number again is (1.888.668.8683), and don’t forget to mention you heard it on VoicePrint.