Toronto Election Services will receive nominations for the Friday, January 15, 2021 by-election for the office of Councillor, Ward 22 Scarborough-Agincourt, from Thursday, October 29 to Tuesday, December 1.
To run for the office of Councillor, a person must file a nomination paper and provide at least 25 endorsements of nomination from eligible electors. The nomination paper and endorsement of nomination forms must have original signatures.
Those filing nomination papers must provide proof of qualifying address within the city of Toronto and pay a refundable $100 filing fee.
The nomination paper can be filed Monday to Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., beginning October 29 at the Election Services Office, 89 Northline Rd. The last day to file a nomination paper is December 1, between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Nominations will only be accepted at the 89 Northline Rd. office, as City Hall and all Civic Centres remains closed to the public, as part of the City of Toronto’s ongoing efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Until a nomination paper is filed, a person cannot raise or spend any money on their campaign. Information about the nomination process and the nomination paper is available at toronto.ca/byelection.
A real-time list of candidates will be available at toronto.ca/elections/listofcandidates.
Third-Party Advertiser Registration
Changes to the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 set out new rules for third-party advertising during the election period.
Individuals, corporations and trade unions who plan to spend money promoting, supporting or opposing a candidate in the by-election between October 29, 2020 and January 15, 2021 must first register as a third-party advertiser with the City Clerk.
Registration is open from October 29, 2020 to January 14, 2021 and must be filed in person at the Election Services Office, 89 Northline Rd.
The City Clerk must certify the registration before a third-party advertiser can spend money on their campaign, accept contributions or begin advertising. Registered third-party advertisers must identify themselves on advertisements and comply with requirements under the Act.
To learn more about how to become a registered third-party advertiser, including forms and rules, visit toronto.ca/byelection.
Making the voting place safer and offering a mail-in voting option
Toronto Election Services has consulted with Toronto Public Health to develop best practices to ensure the health and safety of electors and staff at all voting locations in Ward 22.
To help reduce the spread of COVID-19, mail-in voting will be available as an alternative voting option to in-person voting. Requests for mail-in voting will be available to all eligible electors in Ward 22 starting December 2. More information about mail-in voting can be found by visiting toronto.ca/byelection.
All eligible voters are encouraged to get on the voters’ list now by visiting voterlookup.ca/home.aspx.
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