TORONTO, October 3, 2003 — “Solid preparation and a dedicated team of returning office staff and poll workers in the field” are what John Hollins, Chief Election Officer credits for the efficient opening of the province’s 22,928 polls yesterday.
Just six polling stations within Ontario’s more than 9,300 polling locations were delayed in opening on time at 9 a.m., due to deputy returning officers and poll staff who were not able to report to work. Positions were quickly replaced by back-ups and all six polls were open by 9:30 a.m.
Mr. Hollins says that “no-shows” by election-day staff is nothing new and is not unique to Ontario. Delays in poll openings and line-ups in previous elections had demonstrated the need to increase staffing levels by 30% over 1999 to 60,000 province-wide. The additional workers were also directed to areas requiring assistance during peak hours.
He adds that power outages in communities did not halt voting, thanks to the quick thinking by poll officials, who greeted voters at 9 a.m. by candlelight in some polling stations.
Mr. Hollins also cites the addition of help desks in the polls for keeping voters moving. Electors who arrived with registration cards were generally able to go directly to their polling stations, and by-pass electors seeking to add their names to the Voters List on election day.
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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 are appointed by Ontario’s Lieutenant Governor in Council and follow 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.
Media Contacts:
Elections Ontario Media Centre:
416.212.6186 / 1.866.252.2152
media@electionsontario.on.ca