Advance polls are now open for the Ontario election — Here's how & where to vote early
Want to skip the election day rush? Advance polls are now open in Ontario, giving voters the chance to cast their ballots early and avoid long lines on Ontario election day, February 27.
Whether you're eager to have your say in Doug Ford's re-election bid or just want to get it over with, voting early is a stress-free way to participate in the Ontario election.
Elections Ontario has made it easy to vote ahead of time with multiple options, including in-person advance polling and vote-by-mail. But when and where can you vote early? What do you need to bring? Here's everything you need to know about advance voting in Ontario.
How does advance voting work in Ontario?
Advance voting allows Ontarians to cast their ballots on set dates before election day. Any eligible voter can vote in person at any advance polling location in their electoral district.
The process is simple — bring your ID, check in with election officials and mark your X on the ballot behind a privacy screen. Once done, you'll place your ballot in a secrecy folder and submit it to a tabulator — the same process as on election day.
If you prefer not to vote in person, you can apply for a mail-in ballot before February 21 at 6 p.m. But act fast, because your completed voting kit must be received by Elections Ontario by 6 p.m. on February 27 to be counted.
When is advance voting in Ontario?
Advance polling stations across Ontario are open from February 20 to 22, running daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. If you're planning to vote at your local election office, you have a longer window — in-person voting is available there from January 30 until February 26 at 6 p.m.
Election day itself falls on February 27, when polls will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern Time (or 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Central Time).
Where to find advance voting locations near me
You can vote at any advance polling location within your electoral district. Not sure where that is? Check out Elections Ontario's Voter Information Service platform, which allows you to search for your electoral district and nearest polling station using your postal code.
You should also receive a voter information card in the mail between February 17 and 22, which will list your assigned election day polling station. But don't worry if it doesn't arrive — you can still vote by bringing proper ID.
What should I bring with me to vote?
To vote in person, you need to bring ID showing your name and residential address. A driver's licence or Ontario Photo Card works, but there are many other accepted forms of ID, and a photo is not required. You can even use an electronic copy of your ID, either by printing it or showing it on a mobile device.
If you received a voter information card in the mail, that's proof enough of your address, and the ID you bring only needs to show your name. Plus, bringing it along can help speed up the check-in process.
If you haven't received your voter information card yet, you can still vote without it — you'll just need to make sure to bring ID with both your name and address on it.
Who can vote in the Ontario election?
To be eligible to vote, you must be:
- At least 18 years old
- A Canadian citizen
- A resident of Ontario
If you meet these criteria, you can vote in this election. Just make sure to bring the necessary documents to prove your identity and address.
Do I need to register to vote in Ontario?
No, you don't necessarily need to register in advance to vote in Ontario, but it can make the process faster. If you're already on the voters list, you should receive a voter information card in the mail. You can also check if you're registered by searching the online Voter Register.
If you're not on the list, don't worry — you can still register in person when you go to vote.
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