During advance vote (November 25 and 26 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.), eligible voters can choose to vote at one of the two available voting places:
On election day (November 30 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.), eligible voters must vote at their assigned voting place.
Find advance vote and election day voting place details on MyVote.
To vote in the Scarborough Southwest by-election, you must be:
You may only vote once regardless of how many properties you own or rent within the city.
To vote in Toronto, you are required to show identification with your name and Toronto (Ward 20, Scarborough Southwest) address.
Who cannot vote:
Note: Under section 65 (4) of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996: A person is not eligible to vote in a by-election for an office if the person could not vote for that office if a regular election was held on the day of the by-election.
You are prohibited from voting on voting day if you are:
If you are unsure about eligibility, call 311 for more information.
Information for students
Students living in Toronto for school
Students living away from Toronto for school
Voters Experiencing Homelessness
Eligible voters who do not have a permanent address but live in Ward 20 Scarborough Southwest can vote in the by-election.
If you need information about how to vote or are experiencing a barrier to voting, email elections@toronto.ca or call 311.
In-Person Voting
There are three days of in-person voting:
| In-Person Voting | Date | Time |
| Election Day | Thursday, November 30, 2023 | 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| Advance Vote | Saturday, November 25, 2023 | 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. |
| Advance Vote | Sunday, November 26, 2023 | 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. |
You may only vote once in the Scarborough Southwest by-election regardless of how many properties you own or rent.
During advance vote (November 25 and 26), eligible voters can choose to vote at one of the two available voting places:
On election day (November 30), eligible voters must vote at their assigned voting place.
Find advance vote and election day voting place details on MyVote.
Mail-in Voting
You can choose an alternative to in-person voting for the 2023 By-election for Councillor Ward 20, Scarborough Southwest. Applications for Mail-in Voting packages are being accepted starting Monday, October 23. The deadline to apply is November 10 at 4:30 p.m.
You must return your completed package to Toronto Elections by Monday, November 27 at noon (12 p.m.). Visit the Mail-in Voting web page to learn more.
Vote by Proxy
If you are not able to vote in person or by mail, you may appoint a voting proxy. A proxy is someone who you trust to vote on your behalf and is an eligible voter. Complete a Voting Proxy Appointment form, signed by you and your proxy, and have it certified by the City Clerk before November 30 at 4:30 p.m.
Starting October 23, email VoterRegistration@toronto.ca to request a Proxy form and make an appointment to have it certified.
A Voting Proxy can only vote on behalf of one person unless they are voting on behalf of a relative. Relatives are spouses, siblings, parents, children, grandparents and grandchildren. A Voting Proxy can vote on behalf of more than one relative.
Note: A person acting as executor or trustee or in any other representative capacity is still required to get a certified Voting Proxy Appointment Form.
Taking Time off to Vote
Voting hours on election day are from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
You are entitled to three hours in which to vote on voting day. This does not mean you can take three hours off work. It means you’re allowed to be absent to give yourself three hours of voting time.
Typically this is at the start or end of your working hours. For example, if your working hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., you are entitled to leave one hour early so that you would have from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. to vote.
Your employer may decide when it would be most convenient for you to be absent in order to vote. For example, if you work from noon to 6 p.m. your employer may decide that you should come in at 1 p.m., rather than leave work at 5 p.m.
If you have questions about any of the voting options, email elections@toronto.ca or call 311.
Starting October 23, it’s important to check if your information on the voters’ list is correct, especially if you’ve moved recently or changed your name. If you’re on the voters’ list by November 10 a Voter Information Card will be mailed to you.
Until November 10 at 4:30 p.m., add or update your information on the voters’ list by:
If you miss the November 10 deadline, you can add yourself to the voters’ list when you vote in person during advance vote (November 25 and 26) or on election day (November 30). You must show ID when you vote, even if you are on the voters’ list.
When you go to vote you need to take one piece of identification (ID) showing your name and qualifying Ward 20, Scarborough Southwest address.
Learn more about Ontario regulation 304/13 for voter identification under the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 as amended
Please contact Toronto Elections if you have accessibility questions or concerns by email at elections@toronto.ca or by calling 416-338-1111.
Curbside Voting
If you are physically unable to go inside the voting location, you can request to have your ballot brought to your vehicle, outside of the building or to another area within the voting location. Where a voting location is situated in a multi-residential building, the boundaries do not include any residences on the property.
A friend or support person will need to go inside the voting location to let the election officials know that you require curbside voting.
Personal Assistance to Voters
If you require assistance at the voting location you may bring a friend along to help or you may ask an election official for assistance. Your friend may go behind the voting screen with you, however they must make a declaration first.
Accessible Voting Equipment
The Voter Assist Terminal is a ballot-marking device that allows voters with disabilities to mark their ballot privately and independently. The features include a touch screen, an audio function, a braille key pad, a sip/puff tube device, a rocker paddle/foot switch and zoom features to adjust font sizes and colour contrast. Voter Assist Terminals will be available at two designated locations during advance vote and on election day.
Audio Description of the VAT Features
Voter Assist Terminal information (audio only)
Ballot Transfer
If you require the use of a Voter Assist Terminal (VAT) and one is not located at your designated voting location on voting day, you can request to have your ballot transferred to the VAT voting location in your ward.
A ballot transfer can also be requested in circumstances where an eligible voter might encounter a barrier at their designated voting location.
Requests should be made as soon as possible to ensure sufficient time for processing by contacting 311 for a Ballot Transfer Request form.
Once approved, the elector will receive a Ballot Transfer Notice form by mail or email.
The elector must bring the Ballot Transfer Notice with them to the newly assigned voting location.
Braille How to Vote Booklets
How to Vote booklets are available in braille at each voting location to assist with declarations, required identification, how to mark your ballot and what to expect.
October 23
November 10
November 14
November 25 and 26
November 27
Thursday, November 30
If you require assistance in another language:
Learn more about Mail-in Voting, MyVote, voting days, how to get on the voters’ list, voting options, key dates and more. This key election information is mailed, in English, to every household in Ward 20 and translated below into six languages.