Advance polls now open for Ontario provincial election

If you have already made up your mind about who is getting your vote in the provincial election you can cast your ballot beginning today.

Advance polling stations have opened in all 124 ridings across the province.  The hours for advance polls are from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm.  Advance voting is also available at returning offices and satellite offices from May 21 to May 27.

The 12 polling stations in our region are:

From May 19 to 28:

• Stanhope Firefighters Community Hall at 1095 North Shore Rd. in Algonquin Highlands
• Fenelon Falls Community Centre at 27 Veterans Way in Kawartha Lakes
• Cavan Monaghan Community Centre at 986 County Road 10

From May 19 to 26:

• Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 239 at 96 King St. E. in Bobcaygeon

From May 19 to 25:

• Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 135 at 517 Mara Rd. in Beaverton

From May 19 to 23:

• Keith Tallman Memorial Arena at 2256 Loop Rd. in Highlands East
• Brock Township Fire Department at 217 River St.
• Pontypool Community Centre at 254 John St. in Kawartha Lakes

From May 20 to 24:

• Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 129 at 719 Mountain St. in Dysart et al

From May 20 to 23:

• Coboconk Community Centre at 9 Grandy Rd. in Kawartha Lakes

Greg Essensa the province’s chief electoral officer says they are trying to make voting easier, “Starting today (Thursday), voters in Ontario can cast their ballots during 10 days of advance voting. As part of our modernization efforts, voters can use the Elections Ontario app to find their advance voting locations and get a scannable version of their voter information card—one of the many ways we are working to make voting easier.”

If you have received your voter information card the location of the advance poll in your area is on there.  Take that card with you when you go to vote.  You do not need it to vote but you will be asked to show one piece of identification showing your name and address.

The deadline to vote by mail is quickly approaching.  If you would like this option you must apply by May 27^th.  Once the application is approved you will receive a voting kit in the mail.

Election Day is June 2^nd and polling stations will be open from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm for in-person voting.

With files from Mathew Reisler