Voting 101
It is one week until voters decide which party will form the next government of Ontario. By now, most Ontarians have seen or heard the platforms, the attack ads, received leaflets, listened to debates, and possibly met with their local candidates. Elections Ontario has been increasing their coverage through television and online ads, social media, brochures, and voter cards have been mailed out to residents through the Pledge2Vote campaign. It is not surprising that Elections Ontario have increased their overall media presence and information to the public given the decline in voter turnout over the past twenty years, and the record low turnout of 48.2 per cent in 2011.
On campus, the Central Student Association (CSA) has been informing students of election issues and about the parties. They hosted a “Meet the Candidates” event at the Brass Taps on Tuesday May 27 which provided information on voting and a chance for students and community members to meet with the candidates running in Guelph. The CSA encourages all eligible students to vote for several reasons, but in particular have emphasized the issues of rising tuition costs, high unemployment numbers, and post-secondary debt.
With all of this in mind, here is a brief summary to voting – courtesy of Elections Ontario. Individuals must be 18 years or older, Canadian citizens, and residents of Ontario. Voters can find out if they are on the list by visiting the Elections Ontario website or calling their toll-free number. If an individual’s name is on the list/has a voter card, they simply bring the card and one piece of ID with matching name. But if an individual is not on the list/or does not have a voter card, they just have to show one piece of ID with their name and residential address.
Advanced polls are available to voters from May 31 to June 6, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and then on Election Day, June 12 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. If time is an issue, the Ontario Elections Act states that if given a week notice, employers are obligated to grant time off for their employees who are eligible to vote.
Ontarians have several parties to vote for with platforms and ideologies that span across the political spectrum. The Communist, Green, NDP, Liberal, and Conservative parties are all vying for a checkmark beside their name on the ballot. Read through the platforms, be informed on the issues, and vote!