'This WILL stop people from voting': Ontario election last-minute polling station confusion sparks voter frustration
Election day in Ontario has arrived as voters head to the polls to cast their ballot for the next premier. Keep up with our live blog to get the latest updates on what's happening at voting stations across the province.
3:20 p.m.
Several people in Ontario took to social media throughout the day to comment on the ease of the voting process in their own riding.
Shoutout to the AMAZING poll workers at Merton st for helping me to VOTE CURBSIDE! I am the definition of a hot mess today (tested negative but sick as all hell) so I requested a curbside ballot to be extra safe... 1/2 #OntarioElection2022 #ONelxn
— Nitya Chirravur (@Chirravutever) June 2, 2022
Just a reminder to get out and vote today, Ontario. Just voted and the entire process took less than 5 minutes from start to finish. #OntarioElection2022
— Christopher Turner (@Turnstylin) June 2, 2022
But as expected for many, voters did indicate a few issues along the way, mostly related to the last-minute changes that were made to some voting location in the province.
@ElectionsON Went to the polling station for my postal code. Told I can’t vote there and need to go elsewhere. Location provided is a public school and administrator confirmed no voting there. Went back to the original station to be told it’s an IT issue, no ETA on a fix. Cool.
— Arielle Katherine (@_arikatherine) June 2, 2022
My polling station was moved 35minutes away. There was ZERO signage for the new polling station and I complained to several people and no one took it seriously. This WILL stop people from voting….I’ve already talked to two people who won’t be voting today because of it!
— Emma Smallbone (@smallbone_emma) June 2, 2022
last minute location changes....riiiiiight....and have you put into place arrangements to move people who can't get to this last minute changed polling place...or do they just head home and not get to vote???
— Elijah Winter (@Elijah_Winter1) June 2, 2022
11:30 a.m.
Last-minute changes to voting locations
In a statement to Yahoo Canada at 11:30 a.m. ET, Elections Ontario confirmed it is monitoring all polling locations "to ensure they have opened on time."
Election Ontario did highlight that there have been some last-minute changes to voting locations and is urging all voters to enter their postal code in the voter information service on elections.on.ca, check the Elections Ontario app or call 1 888-668-8683 before heading to their polling station.
9 a.m.
We’re the only party saying YES to #Windsor:
✅ YES to rebuilding Ontario’s auto sector by investing in #ElectricVehicles
✅ YES to getting more workers into the skilled trades and
✅YES to finally delivering #WindsorEssex a new hospital#ONPoli pic.twitter.com/9EJakmdgn8— Doug Ford (@fordnation) May 30, 2022
Throughout the election campaign, Doug Ford's Progressive Conservatives have consistently led in the polls, promising to build more hospitals and highways, and stressing that more jobs will be created under a PC government.
Higher costs with Doug Ford, or cheaper food and transit, reduced gas taxes, rent control, affordable new homes for first-time buyers, and more with an @OntLiberal government? #TheChoiceIsYours #onpoli
Learn more: https://t.co/fcDHc1POR2 pic.twitter.com/fk2b7ubhJ0— Steven Del Duca (@StevenDelDuca) June 1, 2022
While polls have suggested that the Ontario Liberals will gain some seats following the June 2 election result, all eyes are on party leader Steven Del Duca's riding of Vaughan–Woodbridge, with the expectation that it is a close race and Del Duca may not win his own seat.
Together, I know we can #StopTheCuts and finally start fixing what matters most to folks.
With your vote, we'll invest in and expand our universal public health care system! And we'll get every Ontarian the mental, dental and pharmacare they need. https://t.co/J1eaAQsn84 #ONpoli pic.twitter.com/dD0fuYGOMf— Andrea Horwath (@AndreaHorwath) June 1, 2022
For the NDP, a significant question of the election has been, if Andrea Horwath is not the next Ontario premier, as the polls suggest, will she still be the leader of the party? Experts have suggested a shift in the party is likely if the NDP come out with a third place result.
While the pre-election polls have been looking very similar for weeks, Ontarians are still encouraging people to get out and vote.
Hey #OntarioVotes let's break a turn out record today. If you can't make it to the poles, candidates normally have volunteers who will drive you. Bring a friend or 3 if you can! #onpoli #OntarioElection2022
— Queen of Darkness (@qnodrknss) June 2, 2022
VOTE #OntarioElection2022! Every election I’m baffled by the abysmal turnout.
— Yoni Freedhoff, MD (@YoniFreedhoff) June 2, 2022
Didn't receive a voter card for this provincial election #OntarioElection2022 I wonder if any other disabled person who's on ODSP also didn't get theirs. I have my piece of mail & ID ready. I'm using my right to vote!
— 🦄Tori Ingram(Titanium Asexual Cyborg Unicorn)💙💛 (@titaniumtori) June 1, 2022
How to vote in the Ontario election
Voters can find all the information on where to vote on their voter information card, which were sent in the mail. Information on each electoral district can be found here.
Anyone without a voter information card can still vote, but need to bring one piece of ID, showing both their name and current residential address, to their location polling station. If you have your voter information card, you need to bring that and one piece of ID showing your name (ex. utility bill, credit/debit card, health card, student card, passport).
Masks do not have to be worn while voting and proof of COVID-19 vaccination will not be checked, but each person will be asked to distance from others. PPE and hand sanitizer will be available, and election officials will be seated behind plexiglass barriers.