You Can Still Vote Ahead Of The 27th
By John Swartz
Voting day for the Ontario election is February 27. Advance polls have closed, but you can still vote ahead of time during office hours ( 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.) at the returning office, 210 Memorial Avenue until 6 p.m. February 26.
There has been much talk online about some aspects about voting, and much misinformation.
You do not need photo identification. This is not Georgia and you won’t be denied because you changed your hair colour since you got your driver’s license renewed.
Speaking of driver’s licenses, the list of acceptable forms of identification available online does not list driver’s licenses if you have your voter information card, but you can, in fact, use yours for identification. Basically, most forms of government issued identification are accepted. Bring something with you showing your address, whether or not you got a voter identification card by mail. You do not need the mailed voter identification card to vote.
You can check if you are registered to vote online. If it turns out you are not registered, you can register in person at the returning office before February 27, or at your polling station on election day. Allow more time to register and cast your vote.
There are polling stations located at:
- Patrick Fogarty Catholic Secondary School
- Twin Lakes secondary School
- Rotary Place
- The Orillia Recreation Centre
- Mariposa Inn, Memorial Avenue
If you don’t get a voting card by mail, it may seem obvious which polling station to go to, but it’s best to check online by using your postal code.
The candidates and parties they represent are:
| Walter Alvarez-Bardales | Ontario Liberal Party |
| Dave Brunelle | New Blue Party |
| Chris Carr | Green Party of Ontario |
| Jill Dunlop | PC Party of Ontario |
| William Joslin | Libertarian |
| Jordi Malcolm | Ontario NDP/NPD |
If you have a smartphone you can download the Elections Ontario app from the App Store or Google Play and create an account to get election information. If you didn’t get a voter identification card in the mail, yours can be loaded to your phone. You can also find your polling station with the app.
Polls are open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on election day.
(Image Supplied)