The Toronto mayoral race entered a new phase as six days of advance voting opened from Thursday, June 8, until Tuesday, June 13.
There are 50 voting locations across Toronto during advanced voting days. Unlike on Election Day on June 26, eligible voters can vote at any of the available voting locations in the city.
The advance voting polls are open between 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The city of Toronto said this is a “unique option to advance vote” as there is only one race on this by-election.
To vote in the Toronto mayoral by-election, voters must be Canadian citizens, at least 18 years old, a resident of the city and not prohibited from voting under any law. A non-resident can vote if they or their spouse own or rent property in the city.
Voters should bring photo identification, such as a driver’s licence, showing their name and qualifying Toronto address when they vote.
The city said a Voter Information Card (VIC) is not required, but the card will help voters have a more efficient voting experience by shortening waiting and processing times.
Voters can visit the MyVote portal to check whether they are on the voters’ list and review their information before casting their ballot.
One of the voting locations during the advance voting of the Toronto mayoral by-election. Photo credit: City of Toronto
There are 102 candidates running for the next mayor of Toronto, after former mayor John Tory resigned in February 2023 due to an affair with a staff member.
Olivia Chow is still the front-runner in the mayoral race, but her lead has slipped this week as Ana Bailao boosted more support, according to the latest poll by Mainstreet Research.
It showed support for the former NDP MP Chow dropped three percentage points to 29 per cent, while former deputy mayor Bailao’s support rose to 20 per cent.
Robert Martin, a data analyst at Mainstreet Research, said undecided voters are starting to make up their minds as election day approaches.
“The data reveals more and more undecided voters have started to speak up their minds about their choice,” Martin said. “It doesn’t mean Chow’s support is shrinking, but it could be coalitions against Chow (have) started to surface out.”
Chow was under heavy fire in recent weeks over her proposed property tax hikes from other candidates.
Former Toronto police chief Mark Saunders said he is “the only alternative” to Chow during a campaign announcement on Thursday, and launched the ‘Stop Chow’ website, claiming the former MP would impose huge tax hikes and defund the police.
The Mainstreet survey showed Saunders and current city councillor Josh Matlow polled third and fourth with 13 per cent and 11 per cent respectively. Former Liberal MPP Mitzie Hunter and Toronto Sun columnist Anthony Furey are both ranked fifth with nine per cent support.
The Mainstreet poll is based on the results of a survey conducted from June 7 to June 8, among a sample of 706 adults living in Toronto. The margin of error is plus or minus 3.7 per cent.