Polls will close at 9 pm EDT (8 pm CDT) and referendum results will be tabulated following results of general election
TORONTO, October 9, 2007 – In preparation for Ontario’s October 10, 2007 general election and referendum, Elections Ontario today announced guidelines to assist media in communicating results to voters.
At the same time, when voting in the provincial general election on October 10, Ontario voters will also receive a referendum ballot to choose between the existing electoral system, known as First-Past-the-Post (FPTP) or the alternative electoral system proposed by the Citizens’ Assembly Mixed Member Proportional (MMP).
Over 29,000 polling stations are scheduled to open throughout Ontario on October 10 at 9 am EDT (8 am CST) and will close at 9 pm EDT (8 pm CDT). The Election Act now requires polling places be open one hour longer than previous Ontario elections and by-elections
“Media support is a critical part of effective communications with Ontario voters,” says John Hollins, Chief Electoral Officer of Ontario. “This year it is particularly important for media to consider in their planning for October 10th results coverage that polling places are closing later than in the past and that referendum results will not be counted until after the general election results have been finalized.”
Election Results Reporting
Live election results will be available on the Elections Ontario website: www.elections.on.ca. The website will detail the number of votes cast for each candidate, the cumulative totals and the number of polling places reporting in each electoral district. Live results on polling night are unofficial.
Referendum Results Reporting
Please note that referendum ballots will be counted following the completion of the counting of the election ballots. The Electoral System Referendum Act, 2007, provides that election and referendum ballots must be counted separately. For this reason, it is anticipated that referendum results will not be available until the morning of October 11, 2007.
Live referendum results will be available on the Elections Ontario website: www.elections.on.ca. The website will detail the number of votes cast for each referendum choice, the cumulative totals and the number of polling places reporting. These results are unofficial.
Close of polls
News media representatives may be in attendance at local returning offices at the close of polls on Election and Referendum day. Media are advised to make arrangements with the local returning officer directly in advance.
Limits for still and video photography
Media are also reminded that filming and photography are not permitted inside polling places. Media representatives may film outside the voting location provided this is done without interfering with electors' access to the building.
An exception has been allowed by the Chief Electoral Officer for media who wish to obtain still or video photography of a candidate casting their ballot. Candidates must make prior arrangements with the local returning office to arrange for written consent to be provided for admission to a polling place. Still/video cameras are not permitted in the polling place without advance permission.
Any media admitted to the polling place for the above purpose must be aware that they are not to approach, film or photograph any other voters.
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Elections Ontario is the non-partisan agency responsible for administering provincial elections, by-elections and referenda.
Elections Ontario Media Relations:
(416) 212-6186 / 1 866 252-2152
media@elections.on.ca
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