Downtown Toronto riding to see 75% cut in number of polling stations on election day
A downtown riding will see a 75 per cent cut in the number of polling stations open for voters on election day next week.
Torontonians in Spadina-Fort York will only have 29 polling stations to cast their ballots at next Thursday, compared to 116 stations that were available in the 2018 election.
“In 2018 many of the 116 polls included small polls for electors from a specific condo or apartment building only. Nobody else could vote there. In response to COVID-19 concerns, these have been moved into 29 much larger neighborhood locations such as the Enercare Centre, Metro Hall, some hotels and schools,” a spokesperson for Elections Ontario wrote in a statement to CP24 on Thursday.
Elections Ontario says the reduction in polls will make the voting process easier, faster and allow for physical distancing amid the pandemic.
Another difference this year is that polling stations will be equipped with ePoll books and vote tabulators, unlike the apartment and condo polling locations in 2018.
“Electronic poll books (ePoll books) loaded with a digital voters list are used to look up voters and record the issuance of ballots. Tabulators are single-function, purpose-built devices used to scan paper ballots and record results,” the statement said.
In addition, polls will be using a “bank teller” model which will allow voters in line to see the next available polling official, instead of waiting for a polling official for their poll to be free.
- Download our app to get local alerts to your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
Last Sept. in the 2021 federal election, Spadina-Fort York saw massive lines form outside of the limited polling stations available for voters.
Only 24 stations were open for residents in that riding compared to 65 in 2019- a 63 per cent drop.
Elections Canada said the loss of stations was also partly due to finding larger locations to allow for physical distancing.
Advance polls are now open for the provincial election and polls will be open on election day, June 2, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Documents reveal Ottawa's efforts to get Loblaw, Walmart on board with grocery code
It was evident to the federal government as early as last fall that Loblaw and Walmart might be holdouts to the grocery code of conduct, jeopardizing the project's success.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.
New Norad commander calls Canada's defence policy update 'very encouraging'
American troops will be spending more time training in the Far North, the new commander of Norad says, a strategy that fits 'hand-in-glove' with Canada's renewed focus on Arctic defence.
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.