The following questions and answers will give you a better understanding of the Permanent Register of Electors.
What is the Permanent Register of Electors?
The Permanent Register of Electors for Ontario is an up-to-date list of eligible Ontario voters.
The Register contains the voter's name and address, and also includes birth date and gender for cross-referencing. It is maintained for election purposes only.
When an election is called, the Permanent Register of Electors is used by Elections Ontario to prepare the Voters List for each electoral district in the province.
Copies of the Voters List are provided to the electoral district Returning Officer who gives two copies to each of the candidates in the riding and keeps one available in the Returning Office. One copy is also given to each municipal clerk with jurisdiction in the electoral district.
Does this mean there will no longer be an enumeration for every election?
In the past, it was necessary to prepare a new Voters List for every provincial election, by conducting door-to-door visits to all residences in the Province to determine who was qualified to vote. The Register replaces the need to do this for every election.
Will door-to-door visits ever be conducted in future elections?
To make the Voters List as complete as possible, it may be necessary to carry out a limited door-to-door canvass. This situation arises in areas where significant changes in population have occurred since the previous election. In these cases, Revising Agents working in teams of two would call on residences to confirm voter eligibility.
How is the Permanent Register of Electors kept up to date?
The Register is updated between elections by a variety of means.
The Chief Electoral Officer may exchange information with: Elections Canada, the Government of Canada and its agencies, the Government of Ontario and its agencies, and/or the municipalities in Ontario. Any other methods may also be used which are considered necessary by the Chief Electoral Officer.
What about privacy concerns?
To ensure privacy, there are very strict conditions imposed by the Election Act. The Register is to be used as the basis for the Voters List in a provincial election.
On request, an extract containing names and addresses is provided annually to registered political parties. And on request, Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs) receive this extract for their electoral district only.
During an election period, each candidate receives two copies of the Voters List for his or her electoral district. This Voters List includes names and addresses.
Any use for commercial or other purposes is not permitted. You can review the full text of the Guidelines for use of information obtained from the Permanent Register of Electors.
Is the Permanent Register of Electors for Ontario a public document?
No. The Register itself is not a public document. The Voters List, which is produced from it for use during an election, may be viewed in the electoral district Returning Office, but it may not be copied or transcribed.
What do I do to have my name added to the Register?
To apply for personal addition to the Permanent Register of Electors for Ontario, please complete the attached ‘Application for Addition to the Permanent Register of Electors for Ontario' form and submit it with photocopies of proof of identity and proof of residence.
During an election period
With the appropriate identification, you may have your name added to the Permanent Register at the Returning Office in your electoral district, at any of the advertised revision sites, or at the poll on election day.
Outside an election period
With the appropriate identification, you may have your name added to the Register at the office of your municipal clerk.
Can someone else act on my behalf to have my name added to the Register?
Yes. As long as they provide the appropriate identification in your name. An eligible voter may act for family members and for one unrelated person. Anyone who is not an eligible voter may act for only one other person.
Does my name have to be on the Permanent Register of Electors in order to vote?
No. Even if your name is not on the Register your right to vote is still protected.
However, to be able to vote in an election or by-election, you will need to obtain a Certificate to Vote from the Returning Office or from a Revision Assistant. You can also register to vote at a poll on election day. You must provide appropriate identification. You will be asked if you would like to have your name added to the Permanent Register. If you choose not to, simply advise the Revision Assistant.
What if I don't want my name on the Register?
For a variety of reasons, some voters may prefer not to have their name on the Permanent Register of Electors. This will not affect your right to vote. If your name is already on the Register, you may have it removed on request.
To apply for personal removal from the Permanent Register of Electors, please complete the attached ‘Application for Removal from the Permanent Register of Electors for Ontario' form and submit it with photocopies of proof of identity and proof of residence.
During an election period
With the appropriate identification, you may have your name removed from the Permanent Register at the Returning Office in your electoral district.
Outside an election period
With the appropriate identification, you may have your name removed from the Register at the office of your municipal clerk.
Can I act on the behalf of a deceased voter to have them removed from the Register?
To apply for removal from the Permanent Register of Electors for Ontario on behalf of a deceased elector, please complete the attached ‘Application for Removal of a Deceased Elector from the Permanent Register of Electors for Ontario' form and submit it with a copy of the deceased elector’s Death Certificate or any other sort of written proof of death.
