Who is eligible to vote? You are eligible to vote in the upcoming Markham Municipal Election if, on Voting Day (October 25, 2010), you:

1. reside in Markham or are the owner or tenant of land in 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 this or any other Act
5. .

Please be sure to review the Proper ID requirements. Failure to produce the proper documentation may result in denial of a ballot at the voting place.

The following chart outlines what identification you must bring 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.

How is the Voters' List Compiled for Municipal Elections?
The Voters' List is created by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) and provided to all municipalities.

MPAC uses data collected from their assessment information to compile the Voters' List. Amendments to their assessment information comes from a number of sources including the Land Transfer Tax Affidavit attached to every purchase and sale of property; tenant lists from multi-residential property owners and Occupancy Questionnaires distributed periodically.

I've voted in Markham Municipal Elections before. 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 Municipal Election.

How do I check the Voters' List?
There are 3 ways to check whether you're on the Voters' List:

1. Online (available September 1, 2010)
2. Call 905-477-7000 ext. VOTE (8683), or
3. Go to the Markham Election Office at the Markham Civic Centre, 101 Town Centre Blvd.

Be prepared to provide your full name and complete address.

How do I change/update my information on the Voters' List?
To make changes to the Voters' List, you must complete an Application to Amend Voters' List and hand-deliver it to:

Municipal Election Office
Markham Civic Centre
101 Town Centre Boulevard
Markham, ON L3R 9W3

Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday, 8:30am - 4:30pm

Do NOT mail your application. You must bring your application to the Election Office 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 Early (Advance) Voting Period or on Voting Day (October 25). You may be contacted at a later date to verify the information provided.

How do I add my name to the Voters' List?
To add your name to the Voters' List, you must complete an Application to Amend Voters' List and hand-deliver it to:

Municipal Election Office
Markham Civic Centre
101 Town Centre Boulevard
Markham, ON L3R 9W3

Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday, 8:30am - 4:30pm

Do NOT mail your application. You must bring your application to the Election Office 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 Early (Advance) Voting Period or on Voting Day (October 25).

I didn't get a Voter Notification Card in the mail. Does that mean I am NOT on the Voters' List?
Yes. Find out how to get on the list.

Are there other locations to update or view the Voter's List?
You may update or view the list at one of the scheduled Voters' List Revision Days listed below:

You may also view or amend the Voters' List at the Municipal Election Office (with your identification documentations) located at 101 Town Centre Blvd., during normal business hours, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm on or before October 21, 2010.

An elector must be on the Voters' List as of October 15, 2010 to receive a Voter Notification Kits. The kits provide information on how to register and vote online.

• Canadian Passport
• Canadian birth certificate (issued in Canada by the province or territory of your birth)
• Certificate of Canadian Citizenship

If you were born outside of Canada, you must provide one of the three Canadian Citizenship documents below:

• Certificate of Canadian Citizenship
• Certificate of Naturalization in Canada
• Certificate of Retention of Canadian Citizenship

How do you check?... It's easy!

Effective September 1, enter your name to see if you are on the Voters’ List. You can also call 905-477-7000 ext. VOTE (8683) or drop by the Markham Civic Centre, Municipal Election Office, 101 Town Centre Blvd., Markham, ON, L3R 9W3 during regular business hours to ensure you are on the List.

REMEMBER: you must present proof of citizenship, residency and age in order to be added to the Voters’ List! Additions received in the mail will not be processed.

Applications with changes to existing Voters' List information must be hand-delivered to:

• Markham Civic Centre, Municipal Election Office., 101 Town Centre Blvd, Markahm, ON L3R 9W3

Early (Advance) voting locations will be available in advance of Voting Day (October 25, 2010).

You do NOT need to have a reason to vote in the Early (Advance) Voting - it's convenient and avoids line-ups on Voting Day.

Early (Advance) Voting Dates & Locations for ALL WARDS:

Any qualified Markham voter may appoint another qualified Markham voter to vote on his/her behalf. The appointment of the voting proxy can only be made after September 13, 2010.

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.

How to Appoint a Proxy

Download complete and submit a Proxy Form.

Please note this form is a public record and the copy on file with the Town Clerk may be inspected by any person.

THIS FORM SHOULD BE COMPLETED IN THE FOLLOWING MANNER:

STEP 1: Complete Boxes A, B and C

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.

STEP 2: Present the completed form to the Town Clerk or designate

The voter appointed must present this form in person at the Clerk's Department or the Town of Markham Municipal Election Office between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday OR during the Early Voting Period between the hours of 12 noon to 5 p.m. at the Clerk's Department, Town of Markham Civic Centre.

STEP 3: Take original form to Voting Place

After certification, the Town Clerk will return the original copy of the form to the voter appointed to be taken to the voting place to receive the proxy ballot.

STEP 4: Oral Oath

Once at the voting place you will be required to take an oral Oath attesting that you are in fact the appointed voter. Once complete you will vote, as instructed on behalf of the voter whom you were appointed by.

Markham Council has approved the use of the Internet for voting purposes.
Voters may choose to cast their ballot over the Internet from their home or office, or from one of a number of computers located in the Town's libraries, or wherever you can connect!

Internet voting will only be available to those electors whose names appear on the Voters' List by October 15, 2010 and who have registered during the registration period.

Voting Instruction Kits will be mailed the third week of September to all voters on the list.

Internet Voting will only be available during the Early (Advance) Voting period beginning Saturday, October 16 at 10:00 a.m. through Thursday, October 21 until 8:00 p.m.