Writs issued for 38th provincial general election

TORONTO, September 2, 2003 — Ontario’s Chief Election Officer confirmed today that writs have been issued for the October 2 general election in Ontario

“Today, I have forwarded writs of election to each returning officer in Ontario’s 103 electoral districts,” said John Hollins. “Within the next 24 hours, the returning officers will open their offices and be ready for business.” 

Heading into the upcoming election, Elections Ontario has introduced significant initiatives to increase elector awareness and access, and improve operational efficiency; for example:

• Ongoing maintenance and updating of the Permanent Register of Electors in Ontario
• A comprehensive training program for Returning Officers and their local staff to ensure consistent communications, processes and standards across the province
• Extensive consultation with stakeholders to promote education and access for electors
• A new public information web site to guide electors through the registration and voting processes, with emphasis on new electors
• A Call Centre to respond to telephone calls and e-mails from the general public.
  

All Canadian citizens who reside in Ontario and who will be 18 years of age or older on October 2 are qualified to vote. Hollins emphasized that the advent of the Permanent Register of Electors means that full-scale enumeration is no longer necessary. Target Revision door-to-door will happen September 6 to 14, and will focus on electors in areas of high mobility, like apartments and new housing developments.

Key dates during the election period include:

People who want to work in returning offices, on Target Revision or in polling places on election day should contact their Returning Officers beginning September 4. Returning office locations and contact numbers may be obtained at www.electionsontario.on.ca, by calling Elections Ontario at 1-888-668-8683 or by calling Directory Assistance.

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About Elections Ontario
Elections Ontario is the non-partisan agency responsible for administering provincial elections, by-elections and referenda. Ontario general elections are governed by the Election Act and the Election Finances Act. The Returning Officer in each of the 103 electoral districts is appointed by Ontario’s Lieutenant Governor in Council and follows the direction of the Chief Election Officer who is an officer of the Legislative Assembly.

About the Permanent Register of Electors for Ontario
The Permanent Register of Electors for Ontario (PREO) is an automated database of electors and is used to prepare the preliminary Voters List of those individuals qualified to vote in a provincial general election. Voter information is maintained on an ongoing basis, in part through regular updates of a variety of federal and provincial information sources, as well as special door-to-door canvassing in areas where significant changes in population have occurred. Following an election call, the information contained in the PREO is converted into Voters Lists by Elections Ontario for each of the 103 electoral districts in the province. During an election, a revision process enables qualified electors whose names are NOT included in the preliminary Voters List to have their names added and qualified electors may also have their name added to the Voters List and vote at an Advance Poll or on Election Day. In addition, those who have moved may also have their addresses updated.

For more information on Elections Ontario and the Permanent Register, visit www.electionsontario.on.ca.

Media Contacts:
Elections Ontario Media Centre:
416.212.6186 / 1.866.252.2152 
media@electionsontario.on.ca