Notice of Registration Cards arrive this week

TORONTO, September 15, 2003 — In preparation for the October 2 provincial election, Elections Ontario is mailing more than 7 million Notice of Registration Cards this week to all Ontarians whose names appear on the Preliminary Voters List.

“The card shows the address at which an elector is registered, and gives the location and hours of operation of the polling location where he or she can vote,” said John Hollins, Chief Election Officer. “Whether they vote at an advance poll or on election day, electors should bring their card with them for easy identification at the poll to ensure they are able to vote as efficiently as possible.”

Hollins encourages any electors who wish to make a change to the information on their Notice of Registration Card, or to confirm the accuracy and completeness of the information on their card, to contact the Returning Office listed on the back of the card. There are a number of opportunities to make such changes up to and including election day. Returning Offices are open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday to Saturday.

The mailing of the cards follows an intense, nine-day target revision initiative by Returning Officers and their revising agents in areas of high mobility in the 103 electoral districts across Ontario. This includes apartments, new housing developments, nursing homes and other areas in which a high turnover of residents has been identified. Electors who added or changed their information during the target revision period will receive a white card to replace or update the yellow card.

“We have been able to revise and add approximately 500,000 electors names to the List over the past two weeks, and this is a key factor in ensuring the List is as current and accurate as possible,” Hollins advised.

“All Canadian citizens who reside in Ontario and who will be 18 years of age or older on October 2 are eligible to vote. Eligible electors who have not received their cards by September 20 should contact their local Returning Office. Voters who have moved recently may wish to act now to add their names to the List at their new address,” Hollins explained.

The Preliminary Voters List is derived from the Permanent Register of Electors for Ontario, which is updated through various data sources, including information authorized through annual tax returns, driver’s licenses and change-of-address information.

Electors who wish to ensure they have been assigned to the appropriate poll location or who require additional information on voting or on assistance for special needs, should also contact their Returning Office. This information is also available on the Elections Ontario web site at www.electionsontario.on.ca. Returning Office locations and contact numbers may be obtained through the web site or by calling Elections Ontario at 1-888-668-8683.

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About Elections Ontario

Elections Ontario is the non-partisan agency responsible for administering provincial elections, by-elections and referenda. Ontario general elections are governed by the Election Act and the Election Finances Act. The

Returning Officer in each of the 103 electoral districts are appointed by Ontario’s Lieutenant Governor in Council and follow the direction of the Chief Election Officer who is an officer of the Legislative Assembly.

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