Ontario hopes to boost voter turnout for the Oct. 10 election by offering more advance polls than ever, keeping them open longer and putting them in a greater variety of locations — even supermarkets.
Elections Ontario expects to spend $3.37 million on advance polls. In 2007, it:
- Expanded the number of advance polls to 647, about 50 more than in 2003.
- Scattered them through stores, community centres, golf clubs and other places that people frequent during the week.
- Extended its operation by up to two hours daily (some are open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.) compared to 2003.
- Extended the number of advance polling days from six in 2003 to 13, including for the first time, Sundays.
In the 2003 general election, voter turnout was only 56.9 per cent in 2003 — the lowest in since 1929.
Elections Ontario doesn't have a turnout target for 2007, but said any increase would be a sign of success.
Both politicians and voters have praised the agency's efforts.
"It's very convenient," said Aftab Shariff, one of more than 45 people who cast their ballots in the first two hours of polling at a Food Basic supermarket on Merivale Road in Nepean on Friday.
David Elliott, the chief returning officer for West Nepean, said he was proud of the polling station in that store, which is the leading advance poll in the Ottawa area.
Jim Watson, who is running for the Liberals in Ottawa West-Nepean, said putting advance polls in places such as grocery stores is a good idea.
"We're bringing voting to the people and that's going to hopefully turn voter turnout way up," he said.
That's one issue that draws agreement from his Progressive Conservative rival, Mike Patton.
"Elections Ontario has really gone to great effort to put polling stations where people actually go," Patton said. "It's going to help all the campaigns."
Advance polls opened on Sept. 22 and will remain open until Oct. 4. Information about advance poll locations can be found on the Elections Ontario website.
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Ontario Votes 2007 »
- McGuinty wins massive majority, Tory loses seat
- Dalton McGuinty won a second majority government for the Liberals in Ontario on Wednesday night, a triumph for a party that earlier expressed fears of a drop to minority status.
- Ontario rejects electoral reform in referendum
- Ontario voters have rejected a proposed electoral reform that would have seen some provincial legislators chosen based on a party's share of the popular vote, results showed Thursday.
- Ontario voter turnout a record low
- The percentage of eligible voters casting ballots in Wednesday's Ontario election hit an all-time low despite changes introduced in an effort to boost turnout.
- Ont. Green party scores 8 per cent of vote
- No Green party candidates made it to the Ontario legislature in Wednesday's election, but that defeat was sweetened by a swell in their share of the popular vote, which more than doubled.
- McGuinty only leader not facing leadership questions
- Liberal Leader Dalton McGuinty won re-election in Ottawa South and NDP Leader Howard Hampton again won his northern Ontario riding of Kenora-Rainy River. PC Leader John Tory was defeated.
District Profiles
More Ontario Votes Headlines »
- McGuinty wins massive majority, Tory loses seat
- Dalton McGuinty won a second majority government for the Liberals in Ontario on Wednesday night, a triumph for a party that earlier expressed fears of a drop to minority status.
- Ontario rejects electoral reform in referendum
- Ontario voters have rejected a proposed electoral reform that would have seen some provincial legislators chosen based on a party's share of the popular vote, results showed Thursday.
- Ontario voter turnout a record low
- The percentage of eligible voters casting ballots in Wednesday's Ontario election hit an all-time low despite changes introduced in an effort to boost turnout.
- Ont. Green party scores 8 per cent of vote
- No Green party candidates made it to the Ontario legislature in Wednesday's election, but that defeat was sweetened by a swell in their share of the popular vote, which more than doubled.
- McGuinty only leader not facing leadership questions
- Liberal Leader Dalton McGuinty won re-election in Ottawa South and NDP Leader Howard Hampton again won his northern Ontario riding of Kenora-Rainy River. PC Leader John Tory was defeated.
