10/18/2010 7:59:05 PM

October 18, 2010

More than 77,000 people have already voted in Toronto's election

On October 16 and 17, a total of 61,262 people cast ballots in their wards during the weekend advance vote, elevating the overall total for both the weekday and weekend opportunities to 77,397 for the 2010 Toronto municipal election. This year saw an increase of 82.5 per cent over the 2006 advance voting turnout of 42,413. In 2003, the number for the advance vote was 42,599.

The weekend advance vote turnout of 61,262 eligible voters is almost twice the attendance for the 2006 election (34,046) and the 2003 election (31,700). One voting place was open in each of the city’s 44 wards this past Saturday and Sunday, which concluded advance voting opportunities.

Earlier this month, 16,135 people voted in Toronto's six days of weekday advance voting. In 2006, 8,367 voters chose to cast ballots during weekday advancing voting, and 10,899 did so in the 2003 election. Voting places for the 2010 weekday advance vote this month were open at six locations across the city over six days between October 5 and 13.

“We are pleased that so many voters have chosen to take advantage of the City’s advance vote opportunities” said Bonita Pietrangelo, Director of Elections and Registry Services. “We hope the participation continues and that eligible electors come out and vote on October 25.”

On Election Day, Monday, October 25, voting places will open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 1,562 locations across the city. Voter information cards mailed earlier this month identify voting place addresses. Electors should carefully review their cards to ensure that they vote at the correct location. The voter information card is useful but it is not required in order to vote.

Those who did not receive a voter information card can find out their voting place by using the "Where Do I Vote?" feature on the City’s election website at toronto.ca/elections (http://www.toronto.ca/elections). The public can also obtain election information by calling 311 (for TTY service, 416-338-0889).

To make voting quick and easy on Election Day, the City is asking electors to bring to the voting place their voter information card (if they received one) and proper identification (ID) that shows their name, signature and Toronto address. Details about the ID requirements (as well as accessibility provisions) are available on the City's elections website at toronto.ca/elections (http://www.toronto.ca/elections).

A total of 476 candidates are running for 84 elected offices with Toronto's city council and the school boards.