Elections Ontario reports 678,789 voters cast their ballot over three days of advance voting in this year's general election, representing 6.14 per cent of eligible voters in Ontario.
The numbers were slightly higher in Simcoe North, the riding that includes Orillia. Officials say 7,493 people, or 7.17 per cent of eligible voters in the riding, voted.
Provincially, the numbers are down compared to the last provincial election in 2022. However there were more opportunities to vote in advance polls during that election.
During that advance vote, 1,066,545 voters, or 9.92 per cent of eligible voters, voted over 10 days, while in 2018, 698,609 voters, or 6.8 per cent cast their ballot over five days of advance voting according to Elections Ontario.
You still have time to vote ahead of Election Day. You can cast your ballot at the local Elections Ontario office at 210 Memorial Ave. until Feb. 26.
Everyone voting on Election Day is encouraged to check their assigned voting location before voting by entering their postal code in Voter Information Service at elections.on.ca, by downloading the Elections Ontario app or by consulting their Voter Information Card, which has been mailed to all registered voters.
Voter Information Cards are intended to make the process easier, but they are not a requirement to vote. Every Canadian citizen who is 18 years of age or older on Feb. 27 and who is an Ontario resident is eligible to vote.
“Thank you to all voters who participated in advance voting and to the dedicated staff who worked to keep the voting process in Ontario safe, efficient, and secure," says Greg Essensa, Chief Electoral Officer of Ontario "If you haven't cast your ballot yet, there's still time — visit your local election office or vote on election day.”
On Thursday, Feb. 27, you can vote on Election Day from 9 to 9. Visit voterinformationservice.elections.on.ca to find your voting location.