Accessible voting
For the current by-elections in Hamilton East—Stoney Creek, Scarborough Southwest and York—Simcoe, Elections Ontario offers many accessible tools and services to remove barriers to voting.
You can also download our app for a digital voter information card that can be scanned when you go to vote. Other features include an audio list of candidates, voting locations and customizable voting notifications.
Ways to vote in the by-election:
- at your local election office (from August 6 until 6 PM on September 2)
- by mail (application must be received by 6 PM (ET) on August 28)
- at an advance voting location (August 26, August 27, August 28)
- on election day (September 3)
- by home visit (from August 6 until 6 PM on September 2)
Get personalized information with our mobile app!
Download our app from the App Store or Google Play and create an account to access:
- a digital voter information card that an election official will scan when you go to vote
- a list of candidates, including an audio list of candidates
- a list of your voting locations
- customizable election notifications
The app is compliant with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and is compatible with various assistive technologies.
Assistive voting technology allows electors to vote secretly and independently and has multiple controller options:
- Audio tactile interface: includes audio instructions, large raised buttons, bright colours, braille inscriptions
- Paddles: can be used with hands, feet or elbows
- Sip and puff technology: ballot marking by inhaling (“sip”) or exhaling (“puff”) into a straw
Assistive voting technology is only available at the local election office from August 26 until 6 PM on September 2 or by appointment on election day (September 3)
If you require services such as American Sign Language (ASL) and Langues des Signes Québécoise (LSQ), you must book those through CNIB DeafBlind Community Services. Elections Ontario will be billed directly for the services.
- CNIB phone: 647.281.3740
- CNIB email: melinda.allen@deafblindservices.ca
Contact info@elections.on.ca or 1.888.668.8683 to request the following in braille:
- Voter information cards that include information about when and where to vote (request must be received by August 26)
- Notice to Voters containing the full list of candidates
- Use your own mobile phone or electronic devices as an accessibility tool to assist you when you go to vote
- Bring a support person to assist with communication, mobility, personal care for medical needs or accessing goods, services, or facilities. Both you and the support person will be required to take an oath before voting
- Bring a guide dog or service animal
- Request magnifiers and ballot templates with braille numbering and cut‑outs
- Curbside voting is available if you are not able to go into the voting location. Contact the local election office to request for an election official to bring the ballot outside the voting location for you to vote
- Assistive voting technology allows electors to vote secretly and independently. It is only available at the local election office from August 26 until 6 PM on September 2 or by appointment on election day (September 3)
- Submit a vote-by-mail application. The application must be received by 6 PM (ET) on August 28
- Contact your local election office to request a home visit from August 6 until 6 PM on September 2
- Contact your local election office before September 3 to request a transfer to a more accessible voting location
Please note that in-person voting is available for 28 days in the local election office from August 6 until 6 PM on September 2.