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Toronto Mayor Rob Ford is shown on Nov. 3, 2013.MARK BLINCH/The Canadian Press

After four years as Mayor of Toronto, Rob Ford will be asking voters in eight months to re-elect him for another term. What to know:

When is election day?

The election is Monday, Oct. 27. Candidates must register to run before Sept. 12.

Who is being elected?

One mayor, councillors representing the city's 44 wards, and trustees for both the public and Catholic school boards.

Who votes?

Voters must be Canadian citizens age 18 or over. Residency in the city of Toronto is another requirement – but not an absolute one. If you or your spouse own or rent a property in the city, you can vote for a mayor and councillor (although not for a school board trustee). Students living in Toronto to attend universities and colleges are also eligible.

Who is running for mayor?

Already 32 candidates have registered to run. (In 2010, 40 were on the ballot).

Who are the top mayoral candidates?

The big four are Rob Ford, David Soknacki, Karen Stintz and John Tory. All four call themselves fiscally conservative and socially liberal.

Who else is running?

Among the notable non-politicians is Richard Underhill, a musician and community activist best known as leader of the Shuffle Demons.

Also running is Norman Gardner, a former city councillor who was chairman of the Toronto Police Services Board until he was suspended for accepting a gun and police-issue ammunition as a gift.

Who might still enter the race?

All eyes are on Olivia Chow, who served for 14 years as a city and regional councillor before shifting to federal politics and winning a seat in the 2006 general election as a member of the NDP. Ms. Chow has been coy about her plans so far. Ms. Chow, who would be expected to poll heavily among left-leaning voters, has been coy about her plans but may be running out of time to secure the services of the most qualified campaign operatives and fundraisers.

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