Special ballot voting available now, advanced polling starts May 19

By Sam Odrowski

Voting in the provincial election has started at the Orangeville Curling Club. 

Located at 76 Fifth Ave, the club is now accepting special ballot voting for those in the Dufferin–Caledon riding. A satellite office is also available at 30 Martha Street, Bolton, Unit 207. 

A special ballot revision officer is on hand to process the vote, which will be counted on election night, June 2. 

Advanced polling is going to run May 19 to May 28 across all of Dufferin–Caledon. Advanced polls open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day. 

“For advanced poll, you are allowed to go to any advanced poll, regardless of your address, which is really cool. So, you can access multiple locations,” noted Sharon LaMeadow, local Elections Ontario officer. 

Polling stations include:

Centre Dufferin Recreation Complex (200 Fiddle Park Lane, Shelburne) 

Monora Park Pavilion (500 Monora Park Drive, Mono)

Tony Rose Memorial Sports Centre (6 Northmen Way, Orangeville)

Caledon Centre for Recreation and Wellness (1411 Regional 50 Road N, Bolton)

Caledon Public Library (20 Snelcrest Drive, Caledon)

Caledon Village Place (18131 Hurontario Street, Caledon Village)

A good way to stay up to date on all the relevant voter information for the upcoming provincial election is by downloading Elections Ontario's new app.

“On the app, you can have your voter information card loaded onto it, and when it's loaded on to the app, you can bring that to the poll, and we'll scan that,” said LaMeadow.

Having the voter card on your phone can be more convenient than waiting for it in the mail or carrying it around, she added.

“We're launching that app this year just to see how we can become more accessible, and then of course, if you are looking to work for the election as well, you can come into the returning office and fill out an application, or you can also apply as well online,” LaMeadow noted.

When coming in to the Orangeville Curling Club to cast a ballot, voters should bring a piece of photo ID and voter notification card. 

LaMeadow said she'd encourage everyone in the Dufferin–Caledon riding to get educated on their local candidates and get out to vote.

“We're in a day and age where everyone should try their best to stay as informed as possible on whatever they're passionate about, just really look into it. In terms of going out to vote, I think it's nice to encourage your family and friends, especially the young people to vote, or even get involved volunteering as well,” she noted.

“We do have a public engagement officer who will be hosting a variety of events across the electoral district. So, if there's any community organizations that would want to come by and have a booth there or talk to the younger people, or any electors who face any barriers can also be in contact with us to let us know if there's anything we can do to accommodate them at the polls as well.”

LaMeadow said it's best to vote early to avoid lineups on election day.

“I think that's a key thing that we're looking for because when you wait till the last second that's when you deal with all the lineups,” she remarked. 

The provincial election is scheduled for June 2.