New Canadians

There are three types of registers for provincial and/or municipal, district social services administration board (DSSAB) and school board elections in Ontario:

• Permanent Register of Electors for Ontario, commonly known as the “voters list” is a list of eligible individuals who can vote in provincial, municipal, DSSAB and school board elections.
• Register of Absentee Voters is a list of eligible provincial electors temporarily living outside Ontario who intend to return to Ontario.
• Ontario Register of Future Voters is a list of eligible individuals who are 16 or 17 years of age who will be automatically added to the voters list once they turn 18.

If you are on the voters list, you will receive a voter information card (VIC) in the mail about when and where to vote once an Ontario provincial election has been called.

Use Voter Registration to check, update, add or remove your voter information and/or property from the voters list for provincial and/or municipal, district social services administration board (DSSAB) and school board elections in Ontario.

With the exception of a name change request, you must upload one piece of ID showing both your name and home address to update, add or remove your information from the voters list.

Elections Ontario is your trusted source for election information.

Once an Ontario provincial election has been called, Elections Ontario mails the Ontario Voter's Guide to every household in Ontario and makes it available on our website. This guide contains common information about when, where and how to vote.

We also advertise on social media, in print, on television and radio during elections to help inform electors of their voting options.

Elections Ontario hires election officials to work at voting locations. All positions are paid and training is provided. When an Ontario provincial election has been called, you can apply to work during the election using the online job application or by contacting the local election office.

To work as an election official, you must be:

• At least 18 years of age (at least 16 years of age for the position of Information Assistant and Tabulator Deputy Returning Officer); 
• a Canadian citizen (you do not need to be a Canadian citizen for the position of Information Assistant); and
• a resident of Ontario.

A Voter Information Card (VIC) is a card sent to registered voters once an Ontario provincial election has been called with information about when and where to vote.

Bring your VIC and one piece of ID showing your name to receive a ballot when you go to vote.

You can still vote if you do not receive a VIC. To vote, you must bring one piece of ID showing both your name and home address to register and receive a ballot.

Once an Ontario provincial election has been called, you can find your voting location and local candidate information using our Voter Information Service.

During an Ontario provincial election, upon request Elections Ontario can provide voting information and materials for electors in the following languages:

Elections Ontario provides a variety of resources to individuals interested in learning more about provincial elections in Ontario.

Brochures and guides are available with information about:

• voting in Ontario
• accessibility supports
• Ontario Register of Future Voters
• voting as a post-secondary student in Ontario

All resources are available at no cost, in English and French. These resources are also available on our website.

In Canada, there are three levels of government: municipal (your city or town), provincial and federal.

Visit the following websites to find information about their voting process and requirements:

• Municipalities and contact information
• DSSABs and contact information
• Elections Ontario for Ontario provincial election information
• Elections Canada for federal election information

For any other inquiries, please contact info@elections.on.ca or call 1.888.668.8683.