Ontario voters will have almost a month to cast ballots in provincial election

For the first time ever in Ontario, voters will have almost an entire month to cast their ballot in advance of the Oct. 6 provincial election.

Starting Thursday, Sept. 8, eligible voters will be able to request a special ballot to vote either by mail, or in person at a returning or satellite office.

"It's now easier than ever to vote in a provincial general election," Ontario's chief electoral officer Greg Essensa said in a news conference Wednesday.

In addition to a longer vote time, Elections Ontario will also offer new accessibility technology to voters with disabilities. Elections Ontario has spent $850,000, Mr. Essensa said, to lease a system which allows voters to use a variety of audio and tactile devices in order to cast their vote.

The voter turnout in Ontario's last general election, in 2007, was about 52 per cent.

How voters can cast their ballot in the upcoming Ontario election

What to bring:

-If you are on the voters list, be sure to bring your voter's card and one piece of identification with your name on it.

-If you are not on the voters list, be sure to bring one piece of identification with both your name and residential address on it.

How to cast your ballot before Election Day:

-To find your electoral district, click here.

-Starting Sept. 8, voters can request a special ballot application form by contacting Elections Ontario. Using this ballot, eligible voters can cast their ballot either in person at a returning office or satellite office, or by mail.

-Regular advance polls open on Wednesday, Sept. 21 and close Friday, Sept. 30, 2011. Returning offices are open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time. Locations of advance polls will be provided on voter's cards and on the Elections Ontario website. Assistive voting technology for voters with disabilities will be available during this period.

How to cast your ballot on Election Day:

-You can cast your vote on election day in person at your local returning office. If you require special assistance either getting to a poll or at the poll, check the Elections Ontario website for more information.