What you need to know to vote in Ontario's provincial election today
A quick guide to the issues, and how to vote
Voters across Ontario are heading to the polls today, and if you're struggling to decide whether to vote or where to vote, this guide will help.
Voter turnout was a dismal 43 per cent in the last election and just over six per cent of eligible voters cast a ballot during last week's three-day advance voting window, according to Elections Ontario. So, every share of this guide helps.
PC Leader Doug Ford called a rare winter snap election last month in response to U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff threats. At the time, Ford said he needed a strong mandate to defend the province.
With such a short election cycle, perhaps the biggest question Londoners have is whether they need their voter information card to vote.
My voter card hasn't arrived in the mail. Can I still vote?
The answer is yes, you can still vote.
As long as you have one piece of ID showing your name and address, you can register and receive a voting ballot, according to Elections Ontario. Photo ID is not required.
To be eligible to vote, you must be:
- 18 years of age or older;
- a Canadian citizen; and
- a resident of Ontario.
Not sure when and where you can vote? Plug in your postal code into the Elections Ontario website, and it will give you the location, a map, the address, the times the poll is open and a list of candidates in your electoral district.
Looking for a specific candidate, political party or electoral district? All of that information can be found on the Elections Ontario website as well.
If you don't have a permanent address or need assistance with voting, check out the FAQ page.
Platforms make my head spin. I care about issues
Government policy isn't for everyone. However, it does matter for some of the big issues facing this province. Here's a look at some of those issues and how the parties plan to tackle them.
- Thousands of Londoners are without a family doctor. Here's what the parties are saying about dealing with the doctor shortage.
- The quality of education Ontario students receive is a huge issue for many voters casting ballots today. Here's what the parties are promising for education funding.
- A great need remains when it comes to supporting women fleeing domestic violence. Here's what the parties are promising as supports.
- Both landlords and tenants say the Landlord and Tenant Board is failing them. Here's what the parties are offering as fixes to the LTB.
- The COVID-19 pandemic exposed flaws in long-term care and home care for our Ontario seniors. This story flags some of the challenges with home care and what the parties are offering to fix it.
- For a general guide to the election and the issues, check out this voter guide geared to the last-minute voter who's not been following every twist and turn of the campaign.