TORONTO, September 6, 2003 — Ontario’s Chief Election Officer, John Hollins, confirmed today that the province’s 103 returning offices are all open and operating on schedule in preparation for the provincial election on October 2. He cites Elections Ontario’s readiness planning and partnerships for the success.
“The nature of our business means that we must always be in a state of readiness to ensure the trained staff and comprehensive materials required are ready to be deployed to our returning offices the moment an election is called,” Hollins explained. “Following the issuing of the writs on Tuesday, our Returning Officers promptly signed leases and opened their doors within 24 hours and, in less than three days, we now have fully operational returning offices across Ontario.”
Hollins also credits a number of Elections Ontario’s partners for helping to ensure the offices were ready for electors in such a short time, citing Canada Post, Bell, IBM, Elections Canada and the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation for their support. “Our returning offices have benefited from the prompt delivery and deployment of materials, phone and data lines and computer equipment, as well as the efficient transmittal – under secure conditions – of elector information to update the Voter Lists,” Hollins added.
Hollins reminds Ontario residents who, as of October 2, are 18 years of age or older or have recently acquired Canadian citizenship to contact their Returning Offices to determine how to have their names added to the Voters List. Returning office locations and phone numbers may be obtained from the Elections Ontario website at www.electionsontario.on.ca or by calling Elections Ontario at 1-888-ONTVOTE (1-888-668-8683).
– 30 –
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 Chief Election Officer and the Returning Officer in each of the 103 electoral districts are appointed by Ontario’s Lieutenant Governor in Council. For more information on Elections Ontario and the Register, visit www.electionsontario.on.ca.
Media Contacts:
Elections Ontario Media Centre:
416.212.6186 / 1.866.252.2152
media@electionsontario.on.ca