A. No. City of Vaughan Council has authorized a contribution rebate program for individuals who make monetary contributions to candidates running for Mayor, Local and Regional Councillor, or Ward Councillor in the 2010 municipal elections. The YCDSB is not participating.

A. To protect the neutrality of City Hall, no campaigning (which includes the distribution of literature) may take place within the Civic Centre ( City Hall ) or on the surrounding property, including the parking areas.

Distribution of literature or campaigning at other City locations such as community centres, or at City events, will be curtailed where the activity interferes with other uses, permits, events, or creates an obstruction. Persons campaigning within City buildings, such as community centres, will be courteously requested to conduct their activities outside.

The school board has a policy that prohibits the distribution of flyers inside schools, school yards and school parking lots.

A. Campaign materials should not be posted or left on City property, and any such materials will be removed.

A. Campaigning may be done in public places but will be curtailed where the activity interferes with other uses, permits, events, or creates an obstruction.

In some circumstances, such as where a group not associated with the City takes out a permit to occupy a portion of a park, the permit holder may grant access at their discretion, so long as the standard terms of the permit are complied with.

A. Yes. You can open one or more campaign accounts, exclusively for the purposes of the election, at a financial institution. Such account(s) must be made in the name of the candidate's election campaign.

All contributions of money should be deposited in the campaign account. Payment of any campaign expenses must be made by cheque from the candidate's account(s).

A. Contributions under $25.00 may be made in cash. Contributions over $25.00 however must be made by cheque, money order or credit card (page 27 of Candidates Guide provided by the Province). The maximum contribution for any one candidate is $750.00. A contributor may not contribute more than $5,000.00 in total to candidates within a single council or school board jurisdiction. All contributions over $100.00 must be reported on the financial disclosure form to be filed with the City Clerk. There are no limits on the amount an individual or a spouse of the candidate may contribute to their own campaign.

No person shall make contributions of money that does not belong to the contributor with the exception of loans granted by a lending institution, which are permitted under the Act.

A. You can become a candidate by making an appointment with the City Clerk or his designate first by calling 905-832-8504. A nomination paper may be made in the Clerk's Department, in person or by an agent. Transmissions by fax and e-mail, or mailed in nomination forms ARE NOT accepted.

A. You should take the following:

• the prescribed filing fee which must be paid in cash, certified cheque or money order payable to the City of Vaughan:
  
  • $100 for School Board Trustee
• photo-identification (such as a Driver's Licence), as you will be required to make a declaration of qualification before a Commissioner of Oaths in the Clerk's Office when filing your nomination paper. a photo-copy will be made of your identification

NOTE: Do not sign the declaration prior to attending before a Commissioner of Oaths.

A. No, you do not need to be nominated by anyone. You are required to complete the nomination paper and make a declaration of qualification before a Commissioner of Oaths in the Clerk's Office. You will also need to have the prescribed filing fee which must be paid in cash, certified cheque or money order:

• $100 if you wish to run for School Board Trustee - York Catholic District School Board - Area 3

A. Information regarding qualifications for School Board Trustees can be obtained from:

York Catholic District School Board
Visit the Board's website at www.ycdsb.ca
or call:
Fran Smith
Tel: 905-713-1211 Ext. 13006

A. Election signs may be erected following the close of nominations on Nomination Day 2:00 p.m. on November 26, 2010. Signs must be removed 48 hours after the election, midnight January 12, 2011.

A. The City requires that candidates pay a non-refundable fee for placing election signs. The non-refundable fee is $50.00 for a YCDSB trustee candidate. This fee helps defray the costs in administering and enforcing the election sign provisions of Sign By-law 203-92, as amended. The non-refundable fee must be paid to the City Clerk prior to erecting any signs.

A. The City and York Region (and, with respect to Steeles Avenue, the City of Toronto) regulate election signs through their respective by-laws. These by-laws do not cover signs on motor vehicles, so long as the primary purpose of the motor vehicle is to operate as a motor vehicle. In keeping with the restrictions in the Municipal Elections Act 1996, vehicles with signs will not be permitted at the Civic Centre ( City Hall ) or in the immediate vicinity of any voting places during Advance Vote Days and on By-By-election Day. Other legislation may apply (Highway Traffic Act) to motor vehicles generally.

A. Section 4.1(f)(v) of Sign By-law 203-92, as amended, provides that election signs are not to be posted prior to the closing of nominations for a municipal election. For the 2010 by-election, the close of nominations occurs at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, November 26, 2010.

Signs on Regional roads may be posted starting Monday November 29th.

Contact the City of Toronto for signs on Steeles Avenue.

A. The maximum area of an election sign is 5 square metres (including any border or frame).

A. A sign on the exterior of a campaign office must comply with the City's Sign By-law 203-92, as amended. Copies of the by-law are available on the City's Web Site

A. The posting of election signs inside the windows of a campaign office (or any other building) which are visible to the public is not permitted until the close of nominations. Signs posted within a campaign office must comply with the provisions of Sign By-law 203-92 if they can be seen from outside the office. Note that the posting of an election sign within a campaign office may have implications for signs posted on the exterior of a business premises.

A. No, election signs visible from the exterior can only be erected after the close of nominations, being 2:00 p.m. on November 26, 2010.

A. The term "election sign" is not defined in Sign By-law 203-92, as amended. However, this term would be broadly interpreted to include any advertising device, notice or visual medium related to a candidate for an election.

A. Section 4.1(iv) of Sign By-law 203-92, as amended, provides that election signs must be set back 1.0 metres from all street lines, set back a minimum of 1.5 metres from any common lot boundary with an adjacent lot, and not be located within a daylighting triangle as defined in section 2 of the Sign By-law. The City Clerk will be issuing a map to candidates showing typical permitted sign locations. Upon submission of the non-refundable fee form and the $150 payment.

A. The permissible size of signs at a campaign headquarters will depend on the content of the sign as well as the type of sign. Candidates should consult with the City's Standards Department and Sign By-law 203-92, as amended, to determine which regulations apply. The submission of a a sketch with all relevant dimensions and locations noted will assist the Standards Department in providing advice

A. The external identification signage associated with the campaign offices are business premises signs that require Sign Permits. These signs must comply with all relevant sections of the City's Sign By-law . (Note: Banner signs are not permitted.) Many commercial properties within the City have approved Site Plan Agreements that further restrict the placement and size of wall signs etc. Before erecting such signage, please contact the City's Building Standards Department for restrictions and application requirements. The Sign By-Law also permits a business premises the use of temporary signs such as Mobile Signs and "A"-Frame Signs. These types of signs require Sign Permits to be issued and have specific by-law requirements the govern their use. (See Section 8.11 of City Sign By-Law 203-92 as amended. Before erecting such signage, please contact the City's Building Standards Department for restrictions and application requirements. Copies of the by-law are available on the City's Web Site

A. Candidates are required to have their election signs removed on January 12, 2011 at midnight.

A. You may come in to the City Clerk's Department during regular office hours Monday - Friday 8:30a.m. to 4:30p.m. to complete a Voters' List change form. You may call our office and request a change form be mailed or you may complete a form at the Advance Vote or on by-By-election Day January 10, 2011. Please note you will not receive a notice in advance of voting day if you are not on the Voters' List.

A. Candidates must ensure that their obligations under the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 and the Education Act, are carried out and that the proper direction is given to their campaign staff. Penalties for non compliance can be very serious, result in prosecutions, and even fines, disqualification from office, and imprisonment.

A. The final responsibility for compliance with the Municipal Elections Act 1996 and the Education Act, the City's by-laws, and any other rules that might apply to the election lies with the candidate. Questions may be posed to the City Clerk in writing or by e-mail (candidate@vaughanvotes.ca) and where possible clarification will be provided. Answers to questions of general application will be made available to all candidates.

A. One School Trustee - York Catholic District School Board - Area 3

A.You will be required to show identification showing that you will be 18 years of age on January 10, 2011, in addition to the following:

• a Canadian citizen; and
• a resident of Vaughan or an owner or tenant of land in Vaughan or the spouse of such owner or tenant of land.

A.To vote in an ENGLISH-LANGUAGE SEPARATE DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD by-election, an elector must be a Roman Catholic who must:

• qualify him - or herself as an elector for the English-language separate district school board; or
• be a supporter (or be the spouse of a supporter) of the English-language separate district school board.

Ineligible Voters in a School Board Election
The following cannot vote in a school board election:

• a person serving a sentence of imprisonment in a penal or correctional institution;
• a corporation;
• a person acting as an executor or trustee or in any other representative capacity, except as a voting proxy;
• a person convicted of a corrupt practice for an election held within four years of voting day; or
• a non-resident elector.

A. You may only check to see if your name is on the list. This service is for the convenience of the voter to ensure that they are on the Voters' List and if not, to have their name added in advance of voting.

A. A. If you are planning to move to Vaughan, or move from one residence to another residence within Vaughan, you need to determine where you are able to vote. If your situation doesn't fit within one of the scenarios below, you should contact the City Clerk's Department for more information.

Scenario One
You live in a neighbouring municipality and are buying a house in Vaughan, which closes on or before By-By-election Day (January 10, 2011), but you will be moving to Vaughan after January 10, 2011.
As of the closing date, you are considered an owner and are eligible to vote in Vaughan. Because at this point you do not live in Vaughan, you are considered a 'Non-resident Elector' but, because it's a residential property you are entitled to receive a ballot for the school trustee. If, however, you owned property other than residential you would not be eligible to vote in this By-election. You may also vote in your current municipality as a resident.

Scenario Two
You currently live in Vaughan and are buying another house in Vaughan, which closes on or before By-election Day (January 10, 2011), but you will not be moving to the new location in Vaughan until after January 10, 2011.
As of the closing date, you are considered an owner. Because you already live in Vaughan and you won't be moving into your new house until after the election, you are required to vote where you live, not at the new address as you are only allowed to vote once in the City of Vaughan, regardless of how many properties or businesses you own, and it must be your place of residence.

Scenario Three

You currently live in Vaughan and are buying another house in Vaughan, which closes on or before By-election Day (January 10, 2011), and you will be moving to the new location in Vaughan on or before January 10, 2011.
As of the closing date, you are considered an owner. Because you will be in your new location before you vote, you are required to vote at the new location, not your old address.

Scenario Four

You currently live in a neighbouring municipality and are buying a house in Vaughan, which closes after By-election Day (January 10, 2011), and you will be moving to the new location in Vaughan after October 25, 2010.
As of the closing date, you are considered an owner. Because the closing date is after the election, you are not eligible to vote in the by-election in Vaughan. You may vote in your current municipality only.
Please note: voters are required to vote where they live unless they are non-resident voters within the City of Vaughan.

A. The address of your voting location will be shown on your Voter Information Card or you can check the www.vaughanvotes.ca website for this information, or call the City Clerk's Department from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 905-832-8504. The information will appear on the website starting early December, and you should receive your, "Voter Information Card" mid December.

A. Yes.

A. This is a new requirement effective January 1, 2010. By providing the required identification or swearing an oath/taking a declaration, you are helping to ensure that only qualified voters vote. If you do not have any of the eligible identification and you are already shown on the Voters' List you may complete a statutory form and take a declaration to be given a ballot. In the absence of the formal declaration you will not be permitted to vote.
If you are not on the Voters' List and you do not have identification you will be required to return home to get ID or you will be ineligible to vote.

A. Once inside the voting location, you will be directed to the next available election official who will ask you for your identification and locate your name on the Voters' List, cross your name off the list and issue you a ballot.
They will review the instructions on the proper way to mark the ballot using the pen provided, by filling in the space between the head and the tail of the sample red arrow. They will insert the ballot in the secrecy folder and direct you to a voting screen. Once you have marked your ballot, place the ballot back into the secrecy folder and take the ballot to an election official at the vote tabulator who will insert the ballot into the vote tabulator while you wait. If you are not on the Voters' List you will have to show ID and complete a Voters' List change form to be added.

A. No, the election official has been specially trained in using the vote tabulator. You are asked to stay while the ballot is fed into the machine to ensure that the ballot is read properly. Under certain conditions the ballot will be returned in which case you will have the opportunity to mark a replacement ballot.

A.The peak voting times are once the polls open at 10 a.m. to approximately 11 a.m. and again after 5 p.m. to the closing of the polls at 8 p.m. Advance polls will be available throughout the ward. Dates are to be determined. Take advantage of one of the locations to vote early.

A. If you are inside the voting place or in line to vote prior to 8 p.m. you will be allowed to vote.

A. Yes, but we encourage you to complete this process earlier. If you are a qualified voter you may add your name to the list when you go to vote. The application takes several minutes to complete, your name will be added to the list. You will be required to show identification as well, showing your name, qualifying address in the City of Vaughan and your signature. Click here for a complete list of Acceptable Identification.

A. You vote by completing the space between the head and tail of the red arrow pointing to the candidate(s) of your choice using the pen provided.

A. If you make a mistake or change your mind about who you want to vote for, simply take the ballot to the election official who issued you the ballot will cancel your ballot and issue you another one. If you have any questions on how to properly mark the ballot, any of the election officials will be happy to explain it to you.

A. It is your right to cast a completely blank ballot but please note that the machine will return the ballot to the election official with a message that states the ballot is blank. You must decide whether you want the ballot blank or you may mark the ballot again, it is your choice.

A. Your proxy must be someone who is an eligible elector in the City of Vaughan and who you trust to vote according to your wishes.

A. Yes. After you have completed the application form, you need to give it to the person you are appointing with original notarial or certified copies of your ID. The proxy voter is required to take the proxy form with all identification to the Clerk's Office for certification by the Clerk or his designate prior to voting. Note: Applicants and their proxy must be on the Voters' List or complete a Voters' List Change Form to be added to the list and have eligible identification.

A. You may act as a voting proxy for either one person, some or all of your immediate family members, but not both. Immediate family members are: your spouse, sibling(s), parent, child, grandparent or grandchild.

A. You can apply for a proxy certificate at the City Clerk's office, City of Vaughan Monday to Fridays between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. from November 29, 2010 to January 10, 2011 and during Advance Voting Days between 12 Noon and 5 p.m.

A. No. We must have original signatures on the proxy form and the City Clerk or designate must certify the original certificate. We cannot accept on-line or faxed certificates. Election officials will not accept photocopied, faxed or digital signatures or certificates.

A. No. The list of candidates running in the election is not final until 4 p.m. on Monday, November 29, 2010. Until this list is final, you cannot tell your proxy for whom you wish them to vote for.

A. Yes, however, they must vote at their own voting place if it is different from yours. If you and your proxy are both on the Voters' List at the same voting place, they may vote twice at that location - once for themselves and then acting as a proxy voter. Alternatively, since the Advance Vote locations allow people to vote anywhere, a proxy voter can more easily vote on their own behalf at one of these locations if not in the same voting subdivision as you.

A. The advance vote locations will offer voting opportunities such as audio ballots, sip and puff devices and paddles for voters with special needs. For more detailed information call the City Clerk's office at 905-832-8504.

A. Yes. If you are unable to mark your ballot on your own, you can ask any of the election officials for assistance and take an oath/declaration, "Incapacity to Vote Without Assistance". Alternatively, you may also bring a friend along to assist you. Your friend must swear an oath/take a declaration as a, "Friend of an Elector" who will assist you to vote. In addition, you will be required to take an oath as well. You may find that the accessible voting devices which will be available at the Advance Vote locations will enable you to vote independently.

A. Yes. You may ask anyone except a candidate or a scrutineer to act as an interpreter for you. Your interpreter must swear an oath that they will faithfully translate any communication between you and the election officials. NOTE: Interpreters may not go behind the voting screen with you or assist you in voting.

A. The City of Vaughan uses the Image-Cast Precinct tabulator (ICP) from Dominion Voting Systems to count the ballots. The tabulation of votes takes place at the poll after 8 p.m. on By-election Day, Monday, January 10, 2011. Unofficial election results will be posted to the internet as memory cards are uploaded into the vote compilation system at the Civic Centre on Election night.

A.The Municipal Elections Act, 1996, Section 50 states that: An elector whose hours of employment are such that he or she would not otherwise have three consecutive hours to vote on voting day is entitled to be absent from work for as long as is necessary to allow that amount of time.
Please note that the Act also states that the absence shall be timed to suit the employer's convenience as much as possible. No deductions from an employees' pay can be imposed or any other penalty for the absence from work to vote.
It is suggested that you speak to your employer about voting prior to By-election Day so that arrangements can be made in advance.