Accessible Voting
We are committed to removing barriers to voting, and to the four core principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act:
- Respect for the dignity of persons with disabilities.
- Respect for the independence of persons with disabilities.
- Goods and services that are integrated for persons with disabilities.
- Equality in the ability to obtain, use and benefit from goods and services given to others.
We provide accessible services for voters at all voting locations and assistive voting technology in all returning offices. Voters can also vote by mail or request a home visit for further assistance.
To learn more about our commitment to accessibility, please read our 2017-2021 Multi-Year Accessibility Plan.
If you would like any information or resources on this website in an alternative format, please contact us.
Accessible services for voters at voting locations
We provide the following accessible services at all our voting locations:
- Election officials can bring the ballot outside the voting location to make the process more accessible.
- Voters can request a transfer to another voting location that better meets their accessibility needs. The request must be made before election day at the returning office.
- Voters may bring a friend or support person to assist with marking their ballot.
- Voters may use their mobile phones as an accessibility device.
- We provide magnifiers.
- We provide ballot templates with Braille numbering and cut outs.
- Voters may book an American Sign Language interpreter or intervenor through the Canadian Hearing Society or the Canadian National Institute for the Blind. Elections Ontario will cover the cost.
- Service animals are permitted in returning offices, satellite offices and in voting locations, unless excluded by law.
- All our voting locations meet our Site Accessibility Standards.
- All election officials receive training on how to provide customer service in an accessible manner.
Accessible services for voters unable to go to a voting location
If you are unable to go to a voting location, you have the following options:
- Voting by mail – Find out more on how to submit a special ballot application.
- Voting by home visit – Once an election has been called, contact your local returning office to arrange a home visit. You can use our Voter Information Service to find your returning office.
- Voting while in hospital – Once an election has been called, contact your local returning office to arrange a hospital visit. You can use our Voter Information Service to find your returning office. Please note that hospital visits are not available during a by-election.
Assistive Voting Technology in returning offices
We offer Assistive Voting Technology in all returning offices and satellite offices from the first day of advance voting through to the day before election day at 6 P.M. (Eastern Time).
Voters who choose to use the Assistive Voting Technology device will be able to listen to the ballot choices and make their selection using three controller options:
- Audio Tactile Interface: Features large raised buttons, bright colours and Braille inscriptions.
- Paddles: Includes red and blue paddles that can be pressed using hands, feet or elbows.
- Sip and Puff Technology: Sends signals to a device using air pressure by "sipping" (inhaling) or "puffing" (exhaling) into a straw.