Statement from Ontario's Chief Electoral Officer on today's Whitby-Oshawa provincial By-election

TORONTO, Feb. 11, 2016 /CNW/ - "70 voting locations opened this morning at 9 AM (ET) in the electoral district of Whitby-Oshawa. These voting locations will remain open until 9 PM (ET) to ensure every eligible voter in Whitby-Oshawa has an opportunity to cast their ballot," said Chief Electoral Officer, Greg Essensa.

Before heading to the polls, Elections Ontario reminds eligible voters to bring their Notice of Registration Card and proof of identity, or one piece of identification that includes both their name and residential address with them to vote. A detailed list of acceptable identification documents is available at elections.on.ca

In this By-election, Elections Ontario is piloting a new poll model at 42 voting locations on Election Day. The new poll model is designed to save voters time at the poll, reduce staffing requirements and help to modernize the voting process in Ontario.

Each of the 42 participating voting locations are designated multiple polls. The new poll model allows voters to receive their ballot from any available election official. Election officials will use an electronic Poll Book to process voters before providing them with their ballot. Voters will then cast their ballot using vote tabulators which feature assistive voting technologies that enable electors to vote independently.

Once the polls have closed at 9 p.m. (ET), live election results will be available on the Elections Ontario website at elections.on.ca. The website will detail the number of votes cast for each candidate, the cumulative totals and the number of polling places reporting in the electoral district. Live results posted this evening are unofficial.

For more information visit elections.on.ca or call 1-888-668-8683 (TTY: 1-888-292-2312).

Elections Ontario is the non-partisan agency responsible for administering provincial elections, By-elections and referenda.

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SOURCE Elections Ontario

For media inquiries:, Elections Ontario Media Relations, 416.212.6186 / 1.866.252.2152, [email protected]