Record number of people cast ballots during Toronto’s advance vote
Posted October 20, 2014 12:06 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Toronto saw a record number of voters in the advance polling period.
A total of 161,147 people voted, which is double the number of 2010’s advance turnout of 77, 391 — that works out to approximately 10 per cent of the 1.6-million eligible voters.
“We are pleased that Toronto saw the highest advance vote since amalgamation (in 1997),” said city clerk Ulli S. Watkiss in a release. “We hope this trend continues into Election Day, and encourage all eligible electors to come out and vote on October 27.”
But professor of politics Nelson Wiseman said the advance numbers don’t necessarily mean there will be a record-breaking turnout on election day.
“I find that there isn’t much relationship at all from my observation over years of watching elections,” he said.
“It could be more people are getting more comfortable with advance voting. It could also be that candidates spent a lot of effort pulling out their known voters to lock up those votes. I don’t think it necessarily indicates that turnout overall will be higher than last time.”
Wiseman says he expects a voter turnout of between 45 and 55 per cent.
Another factor that likely played a role in the high advance turnout is the number of polling stations.
This year there were 45 in total. In 2010, there were just six.
On Oct. 27, polls are open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Click here for a list of voting locations.
People are asked to bring their voting cards with them when casting a ballot; however, it is possible to vote without a card.
Eligible voters can vote with a valid piece of identification and proof of address. Click here for a list of acceptable identification.
Toronto residents, or those who own or rent property, or have a spouse who owns or rents or property in Toronto are eligible to vote. Click here to see if you are eligible to vote.
Voters who haven’t received their cards can use the MyVote tool to find out when and where to vote.
Below is an interactive bar chart of voter turnout during the advance polls as of Oct. 20, or click here for a mobile-friendly version.
Below is an interactive timeline of voter turnout from 1997-2010. Mobile viewers, click here.
