How and when to cast your ballot as Ontario holds first winter election in more than a century

A vote sign is displayed outside a polling station during advanced voting in the Ontario provincial election in Carleton Place, Ont., on Tuesday, May 24, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press)

For the first time in more than a century, Ontario is holding a winter election.

Coincidentally, the last February election in Ontario was held on Feb. 27, 1883 the same date as this year’s provincial vote, said Greg Essensa, the chief electoral officer, on Wednesday, as he was asked about Elections Ontario’s preparations for possible weather-related problems that could arise.

“We’re working very closely with our local and provincial partners, particularly Ontario Emergency Management Office, to sort of track weather related issues. And if there are issues, we have contingency plans in place,” said Essensa.

“It really depends on the severity of the weather, and if it prevents voters from accessing their voting options. There’s a number of factors that we’re building in right now, but it’s really hypothetical for me to say at this point.”

When pressed as to whether voting could be delayed or extended due to the weather, Essensa said he was not in a position to comment on hypotheticals, reiterating that Elections Ontario was diligently working to prepare for all possible scenarios.

“We are mindful of the challenges weather can pose, whether heavy rain, snow or icy conditions, and should extreme weather impact voting locations, we are working closely with local and provincial authorities to monitor the situation and provide frequent updates,” he said.

Essensa encouraged all 10.8 million eligible voters to learn about the ways they can cast their ballots. On Wednesday, Elections Ontario released key dates for the upcoming vote.

ELECTIONS ONTARIO: WHAT VOTERS NEED TO KNOW

Advance voting is set to be held from Feb. 20 to 22. Information about advance voting locations will be available after Feb. 14.

Usually there would be 10 days of advanced voting, but because the election was called early, Essensa said Elections Ontario had to shorten it to three days as per the legislation.

Candidates have until 2 p.m. on Feb. 13 to submit their nominations.

Election officials said those looking to submit vote by mail should submit an application to do so by 6 p.m. on Feb. 21 or apply online on the Elections Ontario website.

Ontarians can also cast their ballot at their local election office or request a home visit between Jan. 30 and Feb. 26. Elections Ontario noted that the final list of candidates won’t be available until after the nomination deadline.

Election officials will visit hospitals with voting kits between Feb. 17 and 19.

On Election Day, polls open at 9 a.m., and voters have until 9 p.m. to cast their ballots.

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Essensa says an early election presents several challenges for Elections Ontario.

“This is a monumental task, requiring careful planning, coordination and collaboration. Our top priority is to make sure that every eligible voter knows when to vote, where and how to vote, and can do so with ease,” Essensa said.

He noted that the election will cost an estimated $189 million. When asked if it would have cost the same if the election is held as scheduled in June 2026, Esennsa said it would.

While Elections Ontario started planning as early as May of last year when rumblings about an early election surfaced, Essensa said, “I had not much more notice than a little bit a day or so before you folks noticed.”

“Staff across the province are working diligently to set up 124 local voting offices, hire over 55,000 polling day staff and establish more than 7,000 voting locations to serve the 10.8 million electors and ensure voting is accessible and efficient.”