Advance polls open Thursday morning for Ontario\u2019s snap election campaign, with election day itself set for next week.<\/p>\n
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The early campaign means Elections Ontario is offering fewer advance voting opportunities than in previous elections, with those who want to vote early able to cast a ballot on Feb. 20, 21 or 22 at advance polling locations.<\/p>\n
A list of locations can be found on the Elections Ontario website.<\/p>\n
Ontario is in the midst of its first winter election since 1883, according to Elections Ontario. In that race, like in 2025, the vote was set for Feb. 27.<\/p>\n
With the potential for winter storms interrupting voting or freezing temperatures keeping people at home,\u00a0Elections Ontario said contingencies are in place for the ballot.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re going to work very closely to ensure every Ontarian has an easy way to exercise their right to vote,\u201d Greg Essensa, CEO of Elections Ontario said on the first day of the campaign.<\/p>\n
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The winter campaign, however, has reduced the number of days of advance polls to three days rather than the 10 that are available in a normal election, something that is written in the legislation governing Ontairo\u2019s elections.<\/p>\n
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As early voting gets underway, the election campaign is entering its key final stretch, with Progressive Conservative Party Leader Doug Ford\u2019s rivals hoping the race \u2014 in which he appears to have a comfortable lead \u2014 will tighten.<\/p>\n
Over the past week, Ford has taken part in two televised debates with Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie, NDP Leader Marit Stiles and Green Leader Mike Schreiner.<\/p>\n
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