On this page, you can find information for voters to keep in mind when heading to the polls to vote.
We have resumed the tenant election process in a multi-phased approach. Tenant elections will be held across the portfolio in three phases.
The health and safety of tenants and staff is top priority. Toronto Community Housing has worked closely with Toronto Public Health to establish additional safety protocols to protect tenants who wish to participate in election activities. We are also monitoring updates from the provincial government and so these protocols may change as updates are released.
On this page
Phases
Communities in phase one completed their elections in November 2020.
Taking part in elections during a pandemic is not easy, and we appreciate all tenants who have chosen to take part. We will be using feedback from communities in phase one to update the process for the remaining phases.
Communities in phase two established their tenant leadership (Tenant Elections completed) by the end of 2021. Phase three communities, and any communities that need by-elections, will have their elections in March 2022.
What you need to know for Election Day
In-person voting for Community Representatives
What voters need to know for in-person voting on Election Day:
- Tenants must pre-register to vote on Election Day by contacting their local engagement Community Services Coordinator. This is mandatory so that TCHC staff can maintain proper capacity limits at the polling station.
- Each voter must present identification at the time of registering at the polling station and go through a short COVID-19 screening.
- Tenants must wear a mask or face covering during the entire voting process. The mask or face covering must fully cover their nose and mouth.
- All tenants over the age of 16 are eligible to vote.
- Tenants may only vote once and can only vote in their designated polling station.
- Voters will get a blank ballot initialed by the Poll Captain. Once they receive their blank ballot, they must go behind the voting screen, mark their ballot, fold it and place it in the ballot box.
If a tenant is unable to vote, can someone else vote on their behalf?
Yes. This process is called proxy voting. Proxy voting is a form of voting whereby you may delegate your voting power to someone else to vote on the candidate of your choice on your behalf. In order to do so, a voter must present a completed Proxy Voting Consent Form to the Poll Captain. It is the Poll Captain’s responsibility to check to see if the form is signed, the voter is on the voters’ list and the proxy voter is also on the voters’ list and has not presented a previous proxy.
What if a tenant can’t leave their home to vote?
A physical polling station will be set up in each community on Election Day. However, if a tenant is not able to leave their unit, does not feel comfortable assigning their vote to a proxy or does not feel comfortable voting at the polling station, they can contact their local engagement Community Services Coordinator to discuss other options.
What happens once voting ends on Election Day? *
All voters may return to the polling station once voting closes for a public ballot count and announcement of the results. Two tenant volunteers will participate in the public counting of the ballots. When all observers arrive, the ballot box will be opened for the public count to begin. All votes are recorded on a public tally sheet and results are documented in a poster template and posted in the community. The results will also be communicated to all tenants. The tenant volunteer must sign-off on the results in a form attached with the ballot box. Results will also be posted in the building and communicated to all tenants.
*Dependent on safety protocols for COVID-19
What happens if there is a tie?
If there appears to be a tie after counting all the ballots, votes will be recounted. If there is still a tie, the Poll Captain will declare a tie and close the poll. The Poll Captain then will ask the candidates if they want to either negotiate a winner or flip a coin. If candidates cannot agree on either option, then a by-election will be held. Candidates will have to sign a note indicating they agree to a by-election. The by-election will only be held for the candidates who are tied.
Virtual voting for Building/Townhouse Committee members
Voting for Building/Townhouse Committee members will take place online (or by dialing in) to a Webex virtual meeting. The local engagement Community Services Coordinator will provide a link and voting instructions to all committee members well ahead of the scheduled election day.
If a tenant is unable to vote, can someone else vote on their behalf?
Yes. This process is called proxy voting. Proxy voting is a form of voting whereby you may delegate your voting power to someone else to vote on the candidate of your choice on your behalf. In order to do so, a voter must present a completed Proxy Voting Consent Form to the Poll Captain. It is the Poll Captain’s responsibility to check to see if the form is signed, the voter is on the voters’ list and the proxy voter is also on the voters’ list and has not presented a previous proxy.
What happens once voting ends on Election Day? *
All votes are recorded on a public tally sheet and results are documented in a poster template and posted in the community. The results will also be communicated to all tenants. Results will also be posted in the building and communicated to all tenants.
*Dependent on safety protocols for COVID-19
What happens if there is a tie?
If there appears to be a tie after counting all the ballots, votes will be recounted. If there is still a tie, the Poll Captain will declare a tie. The Poll Captain then will ask the candidates if they want to either negotiate a winner or flip a coin. If candidates cannot agree on either option, then a by-election will be held. Candidates will have to sign a note indicating they agree to a by-election. The by-election will only be held for the candidates who are tied.
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