The city of Toronto is preparing for its municipal election on October 26, marking one of the largest municipal elections in Canada. Residents will have the opportunity to decide on their next mayor, along with their City Council representatives, which ultimately influence how municipal budget priorities are established.

To be eligible to vote in Toronto, you must be a Canadian citizen aged 18 or older and reside within the city limits. There are also provisions allowing non-residents who own or rent property in Toronto to vote. Students studying in Toronto but who are residents of other Ontario municipalities can cast their votes in both their home municipality and in Toronto. However, it is crucial that they vote in the Toronto ward corresponding to their residence, not the ward where their educational institution is located. For Toronto residents studying elsewhere in Ontario, it's advised to verify voting qualifications with the local City Clerk.

Prior to voting, it is essential to confirm your presence on the voters list, understand your residential ward, know the required identification documents, and be aware of the voting times and locations.

Voter’s List

Being listed on the voter’s list streamlines the voting process, making it faster and more efficient. If you were on the list before September 20, a voter information card (VIC) should have been mailed to you. If you haven’t received your card or need to make changes to your information, you can do so through the City of Toronto’s MyVote tool.

The deadline for making any amendments to the voter’s list is 7 p.m. on October 11. Changes can still be made at your polling station during advance polls or on election day if necessary. It's important to note that individuals who are not on the voter’s list may still vote, provided they meet the eligibility criteria.

When to Vote

Election Day: October 26, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Advance Polls: These will be open from October 6 to October 11, between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Mail-In Voting Deadline: Completed mail-in voting packages must be received by Toronto Elections by October 14 at 12 p.m.

Voter’s List Deadline: Changes or updates must be made by 7 p.m. on October 11. After this deadline, any modifications can only occur at voting locations on election day.

Where to Vote

Toronto's voting locations are stratified into 25 wards. The specific polling place for each individual depends on their residential ward. To determine your ward, utilize the City of Toronto’s address lookup tool.

Each ward consists of multiple voting places, and your specific voting location can be found on your VIC or by checking the MyVote tool.

What to Bring to Vote

When heading to vote, bring a piece of identification that includes both your name and your Toronto address. Photo ID is not necessary for identification. Here are some acceptable documents:

• Government-issued IDs including a passport, driver’s license, or Ontario ID card, as well as hospital and tax documents.
• Bank documents such as account statements, credit card statements, or cancelled personalized cheques.
• Utility bills, covering hydro, water, gas, telephone, or cable TV services.
• Employment documents including a cheque stub, T4 statement, pay receipt, or a statement of direct deposit from Ontario Works or ODSP.

If you received your voter information card by mail or printed it, also bring it along. While presenting a VIC is not obligatory, it can expedite the process by confirming your status on the voter’s list.

For additional details about Toronto's upcoming municipal elections, including a comprehensive list of candidates, please click here.