Ontario election 2022: How you can vote, what’s new, and COVID measures

With the formal dissolution of the provincial legislature on May 3 by Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell at the request of Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario Leader Doug Ford, the 2022 election campaign is officially underway.

The general election in Ontario is on June 2 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. and candidates in 124 ridings across the province have begun their formal campaigns.

Up until the night of June 2, thousands of Elections Ontario workers will be helping eligible residents cast their ballots.

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“We’re here to make voting as easy as possible. You should be able to come in and cast your ballot, especially if you have that voter information card, as quickly, as easily as possible,” Elections Ontario spokesperson Eleni Armenakis told CityNews.

CityNews spoke with Armenakis to ask about the 2022 vote and what changes residents can expect this year versus previous elections.

What COVID-19 public health precautions will be in effect for voting?

Armenakis said Elections Ontario staff have been working with the province’s chief medical officer of health to incorporate measures at polling locations.

“Voters will see a lot of what they’re already used to in terms of physical distancing, hand sanitizer, disinfecting high-touch surfaces and that sort of thing,” she said.

What else is new for voting in 2022 compared to past elections?

Elections Ontario staff have moved some processes onto digital platforms.

For instance, they launched an Elections Ontario app (on Apple Store or Google Play) that allows voters to find out where they can vote, download their information card to use in conjunction with ID in order to vote, check to see if they’re on the voters list along with the ability to make changes, and access the application to vote by mail.

For someone who doesn’t want to download the app, many of its functions are on the Elections Ontario website.

What if I can’t vote on June 2? What are the options to vote in advance?

Armenakis said eligible residents can begin voting as soon as May 5 at your local Elections Ontario returning office up until 6 p.m. on June 1.

Those who want to vote by mail must apply by 6 p.m. on May 27.

Advance voting this year will occur between May 19 and 28. Voting hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Click here to find out about other ways to vote if there are other circumstances.

What ID is needed to cast a ballot?

“Voters need to bring one piece of ID with their name and their address, and if they do receive a voter information card they can bring that as well and that just makes the process really simple when they get to the voting location,” Armenakis said.

Click here for a list of accepted ID.

What additional supports are available to help cast a ballot?

Armenakis said there are instructions on how to vote in 38 different languages if needed.

She also said braille ballot templates and ballot magnifiers will be on hand at each polling location.

If someone is restricted to their home or a hospital because of a disability or medical condition, or they require extra assistance, Armenakis said arrangements can be made by calling your local returning office (found through the voter information service).

What about working at poll locations?

Elections Ontario is still in the process of hiring workers to staff all of the poll locations across the province.

Armenakis said there are around 55,000 positions and that people can work one or more Ontario election voting days.

Click here to access the application website.

Where can the Ontario election results be found?

Elections Ontario will begin posting results for all ballots, including mail-in ballots, after 9 p.m. on June 2.

Throughout the election campaign and on June 2, CityNews will have full coverage on its online and broadcast platforms.