2015 by-election for Simcoe North has been called

TORONTO, Aug. 5, 2015 /CNW/ - Ontario's Chief Electoral Officer Greg Essensa confirms that Writs were issued to administer a by-election for the Simcoe North electoral district on August 5, 2015.

The local returning office in Simcoe North will be open to the public as of tomorrow:

West Ridge Place

8000 Highway # 12

Orillia, Ontario

Canadian citizens who reside in the Electoral District of Simcoe North and are at least 18 years of age or older on Election Day, are eligible to vote. To be added to the Voters List, an elector must show at least one piece of identification that includes their name and residential address.

The candidate nomination period begins Thursday, August 13, 2015 and ends at 2 PM (ET) on Thursday, August 20, 2015.

There are many ways to vote. Electors can vote from 9 AM to 9 PM ET on Election Day Thursday, September 3, 2015.  Electors can vote at an advance poll from 10 AM to 8 PM (ET) Saturday, August 22, 2015 to Friday, August 28, 2015. Assistive voting technology is available at the Simcoe North returning office.

Electors can vote by special ballot in person at the Simcoe North returning office or by mail. Electors must apply for their special ballot voting kit no later than 6 PM (ET) on Friday, August 28, 2015. Applications are available at http://wemakevotingeasy.ca/en/special-ballots.aspx, by phone or at the Simcoe North returning office.

A blackout on political advertising begins today and ends at 11:59 PM (ET) on Tuesday, August 11, 2015. A second blackout period begins at midnight (ET), or end of day on Tuesday, September 1, 2015 and ends at 11:59 PM (ET) on Thursday, September 3, 2015.  The publication of election surveys that have not previously been made public is prohibited between midnight (ET), or end of day on Wednesday, September 2, 2015 and 9 PM (ET) on Thursday, September 3, 2015.

For more information about the 2015 North Simcoe By-Election, visit http://wemakevotingeasy.ca/en/home.aspx, call 1-888-ONT-VOTE (668-8683), join us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and watch us on YouTube.

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

Ontario Voter Rights
To be eligible to vote in an Ontario provincial election, you must be a Canadian citizen, a resident of Ontario and at least 18 years of age.

As an eligible voter, you have the right to:

• Vote privately and free of interference
• Vote if you are in line at your voting location prior to the close of the polls (9 PM ET/ 8
• PM CT) on Election Day
• Vote without a Notice of Registration Card (NRC if your name is on the Voters List and you provide valid ID that shows your name. If you do not have ID, you can complete the Statutory Declaration confirming your identity
• Vote without an NRC if your name is NOT on the Voters List, provided you have valid
• ID that shows your name and residence AND complete the appropriate form
• Receive assistance while voting
• Have a sign language interpreter or other interpreter with you when you vote
• Decline your ballot if you do not wish to vote for any of the candidates
• Vote in a location that is accessible
• Ask your employer for up to three hours off work without penalty to vote on Election Day if your work schedule does not allow you three consecutive hours while polls are open
• Ask Elections Ontario to be removed from the register of voters

Elections Ontario is mandated under the Election Act to maintain a register of eligible voters in Ontario, which contains your full name, address, date of birth and gender. This register is used for electoral purposes only.

We Make Voting Easy
Multiple languages:
To ensure that the voting process is clear and easy for everyone, information is available in multiple languages at polls, online and in newspapers.

Multiple formats:
Contact Elections Ontario for information in Braille, large print or audio format.

Assistive voting technology:
Voters can use audio headphones and a large keypad or a "sip and puff" device at their local returning office advance poll for 7 days during the election period.

Sign language interpreters:
Voters who need a sign language interpreter can contact the Canadian Hearing Society
Ontario Interpreting Service at www.chs.ca.

Employment message:
The Simcoe North Returning Officer is looking for people to fill election jobs, including those with previous election or customer service experience and fluency in other languages. To work on Election Day, please apply at the local returning office as of tomorrow:

West Ridge Place

8000 Highway # 12

Orillia, Ontario

wemakevotingeasy.ca/en/working-for-the-election.aspx

SOURCE Elections Ontario

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