On June 26th, Toronto residents will head to the polls to elect Toronto’s next Mayor! Just eight short months ago, in the last municipal election, Toronto’s voter turnout was at an all-time low with only 29 per cent of eligible voters casting their vote. This election presents a new opportunity to show up for a better Toronto.
YWCA Toronto has launched a joint campaign – Show Up for a Better Toronto #ShowUpTO – in partnership with WomanACT, Social Planning Toronto, City for All and more than 45 organizations across Toronto. Our campaign aims to rally Torontonians to show up for a better Toronto and urge mayoral candidates to take action to address the escalating poverty and inequality in the city by fully committing to our campaign policy asks across five key pillars: housing and shelter, transit and internet, decent work, community safety, and community wellbeing. You can learn more about our campaign and take our pledge at www.showupto.ca
With the by-election just a few weeks away, now is the time to make your plan to vote! Not sure where to start? We have gathered some resources to help you to #ShowUpTO and vote on June 26th!
How does a municipal by-election work?
Typically, a municipal election happens every four years. Due to the resignation of Toronto's mayor earlier this year, the City of Toronto called for a by-election to fill the vacant position and elect a new mayor of Toronto to serve the remaining three years of this city council term.
How do I know if I am an eligible voter?
To vote in the 2023 by-election for mayor, you must be:
• a Canadian citizen; and
• at least 18 years old; and
• a resident in the City of Toronto; or
• a non-resident of Toronto, but you or your spouse own or rent property in the city; and
• not prohibited from voting under any law.
I do not have a permanent address, where do I vote?
For voters who do not have a permanent address, the place where they went most often to sleep or eat in the last five weeks is the address they can provide when they go to vote. This may be a shelter, drop-in centre, park, intersection, or any other location in Toronto.
If a voter has concerns about entering the voting location without identification or a permanent address, they can request a letter on letterhead from their shelter or drop-in centre.
Voting locations can also be found using the MyVote tool or by calling 416.338.1111 or 311 and providing an address.
I am not sure If I am on the voters’ list, where can I check? How do I add myself to the voters’ list?
You can check to see if you are on the voters’ list and review your information by using the City of Toronto’s virtual tool MyVote.
If you are not on the voters’ list, you can add yourself when you go to vote in person on any of the voting days.
You must bring identification when you go to vote, even if you are on the voters’ list.
What do I need to bring with me to vote?
You are required to show identification (ID) with your name and address within the city of Toronto. This does not need to be a photo ID.
ID can include a driver’s license, utility bill, bank-issued statement, T4 statement, or a statement of direct deposit from Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support Program.
More information on acceptable ID can be found here.
When can I vote?
Advance voting is open from June 8th to 13th from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Election day is Monday, June 26th from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Where can I vote?
During the advance vote, June 8th to 13th, eligible voters can vote at any of the available voting locations across the city listed here.
On election day (June 26th), you must vote at your designated location, which can be found using the MyVote tool or by visiting the City’ site.
Voting locations can also be found by calling 416.338.1111 or 311 and providing an address.
Who are the candidates?
There are 102 candidates running in this mayoral by-election. You can find a complete list of the candidates here.
Can I view election resources in other languages?
Key information surrounding the upcoming mayoral by-election has been translated into 25 different languages. View those translations here.
How can I find out more about the #ShowUpTO campaign?
Learn more about our campaign and sign our pledge #ShowUpTO and vote on June 26th, here.
Let’s work together to show up for a better Toronto!
Voting information has been drawn from Toronto Elections. For more information on how, when and where to vote, as well as accessible voting information, visit: https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/elections/