Who is eligible to vote?

You are eligible to vote in the November 23, 2009 Ward 3 By-election if, as of November 23, 2009 you:

1. Reside in Ward 3 Markham or are the owner or tenant of land in Ward 3 Markham (or are the spouse of such a person)
2. Are a Canadian citizen;
3. Are at least 18 years old; and
   
4. Are not prohibited from voting under the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 or any other Act.

How to Vote

If you are on the Voter’s List, the week of November 2, 2009, you will receive a voter notification card instructing you on where to vote (both early voting opportunities and on Voting Day).

If you did not receive a voter notification card, you should check to see if you are on the list.

At the voting place, you will be asked to provide your voter notification card and the applicable identification: (click on link for examples of acceptable identification)

Once processed by a Deputy Returning Officer (DRO), you’ll receive a ballot and be asked to complete the oval beside the name of the candidate of your choice behind a privacy screen.

You’ll return your marked ballot in a secrecy folder to the DRO responsible for inserting marked ballots into an optical scan vote tabulator. Your ballot will be counted as it passes through the tabulator and falls securely into the ballot box.

The tabulators will generate results after the close of voting on November 23, 2009.

Live results will be available through the Town’s website and at election reporting sites to be confirmed.

Translation Assistance

If you require translation assistance, you are permitted to bring a friend to assist you, provided that person takes an Oath of Secrecy, which will be administered by an election official at the voting place.

Accommodations for Voters with Diabilities

An AutoMARK ballot marking unit will be available during early voting (Saturday, November 14 and Sunday, November 15)

This unit is intended to help persons with vision and physical mobility disabilities mark their ballot independently through the use of special appliances and a touch screen ballot (paddle, sip/puff and braille selectors, touch screen ballot size enhancement, audio ballot recording).

Environmental Tip! Reduce your carbon footprint - every little bit helps. Consider walking, cycling or carpooling to your voting place.

What is the Voters' List?

The Voters' List is a list of qualified voters in the Town of Markham compiled by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC). It contains the name and address of each person entitled to vote, along with any additional information the Town Clerk needs to determine for which office each voter is entitled to vote.

I've voted in Markham Municipal Elections before and/or I know that I'm entitled to vote. Do I still have to make sure I'm on the Voters' List?

Yes. It is recommended that you check to ensure you're on the List for each and every regular election and by-election.

How do I check the Voters' List?

There are 3 ways to check whether you're on the Voters' List:

1. Search the Markham Ward 3 Voters' List database
2. Call 905-477-7000 ext. VOTE (8683), or
   
3. Drop by the Clerk's Department, Civic Centre 101 Town Centre Boulevard, open 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 a.m., Monday through Friday.

Be prepared to provide your full name and detailed address in order to properly check the List. If you are on the Voters’ List, you will receive a voter notification card the week of November 2, 2009. This will inform you about early voting opportunities and, where to vote on Voting Day, and identification requirements. If you don’t receive a voter notification card, you may not be on the Voter’s List.

How do I add my own name to the Voters' List?

1. Complete an Application to Amend Voters' List
2. Hand-deliver it to:

Clerk's Department, Markham Civic Centre
101 Town Centre Boulevard
Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 a.m., Monday to Friday

IMPORTANT: Applications to add a name to the Voters' List will not be accepted by mail. Individuals wishing to do so must attend the above-noted offices in person and provide Proof of Canadian Citizenship, Proof of Age and Proof of Markham Residency. Alternatively, additions to the Voters' List may be made at the voting place during the Advance Voting Period or on Voting Day (November 23).

How do I change or update my own information on the Voters' List?

1. Complete an Application to Amend Voters' List
2. Mail it OR hand-deliver it to:

Clerk's Department, Markham Civic Centre
101 Town Centre Boulevard
Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday

Varley Art Gallery
216 Main Street, Unionville
Saturday, November 14 and Sunday, November 15, 2009
10 a.m. – 6 p.m. each day

You are not required to be away on Voting Day (November 23, 2009) to vote at one of the Early Voting Days.

Any eligible Markham voter may appoint another eligible Markham voter to vote on his/her behalf.

Under Section 44 of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, a voter may act on behalf of one other qualified voter who is not a relative OR on behalf of one or more qualified voters who are relatives. In the case where a voter is acting on behalf of more than one qualified voters who are relatives, separate Proxy Forms are required. A relative means the parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, brother, sister, or spouse of the voter appointed.

Even if a voter is eligible to vote in more than one municipality he/she can only vote as a proxy for one non-relative.

STEP 1: Pick up and Complete a Proxy Form
The Proxy Form is available to be picked up by the voter who is appointing a proxy from:

Clerk’s Department
Markham Civic Centre
101 Town Centre Blvd, Markham
Business Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

The form contains three boxes. Boxes A, B and C require the voter making the appointment to identify himself/herself and the individual being appointed to vote on the voter's behalf to attest to their relationship. The name of the voter appointed must be filled in at the time the elector making the appointment signs the statement. It is unlawful to sign this proxy form unless Box B is completed.

This Proxy Form is a public record and the copy on file with the Town Clerk may be inspected by any person.

STEP 2: Present duplicate copies to the Town Clerk or designate
The voter appointed must present both copies of this form in person to either:

Clerk's Department
Markham Civic Centre
101 Town Centre Blvd, Markham
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Early Voting Days – November 14 & 15, 12 p.m. noon – 5:00 p.m.

Varley Art Gallery
216 Main Street, Unionville
Hours: Early Voting Days – November 14 & 15, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

STEP 3: Take original form to Voting Place
After certification, the Town Clerk or designate will return the original copy of the form to the voter appointed. This must be taken to the voting place to receive the proxy ballot.

STEP 4: Oral Oath
Once at the voting place the voter appointed will be required to take an oral Oath attesting to their appointment. Once complete the voter appointed will cast a ballot, as instructed in accordance with the wishes of the person they were appointed by.