Toronto Municipal Election: Advance Voting Opens as Mayoral Race Heats Up

As Toronto prepares for its municipal election on Oct. 26, the city has officially opened advance voting to encourage higher citizen participation, as CBC Toronto first reported. Voters can cast their ballots for mayor and local councillors at designated polling stations from Oct. 6 through Oct. 11, with polls operating between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.

While the city is working to improve voter turnout, historical data suggests a challenge. CBC Toronto reports that during the 2022 municipal election, the overall voter turnout in Toronto was 30 per cent. Data from the city shows that the Parkdale-High Park ward experienced the highest turnout at 38 per cent, followed by Toronto Danforth and Beaches-East York, both at 36 per cent. Conversely, the lowest turnouts were recorded in Spadina Fort-York, Etobicoke North, and Humber River-Black Creek.

There are signs of shifting momentum, however. CBC Toronto notes that the 2023 mayoral byelection saw the highest single-day advance voting turnout since the city's amalgamation, marking the first increase in voter turnout in nearly ten years. This follows a dip in 2022, where advance turnout fell by nearly seven per cent compared to 2018.

The mayoral race features several candidates, including incumbent Olivia Chow and a candidate named Braeden Chow. CBC Toronto highlights that voters can utilize a platform tracker to examine the promises and plans of front-running candidates before casting their ballots.

For those unable to attend polls on election day, CBC Toronto reports that mail-in ballots must be received by noon on Oct. 14. Additionally, voters may appoint a proxy to vote on their behalf, provided both parties complete the required city forms. On election day, Oct. 26, polls will be open from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m.