Elections Resources

The following is a list of important information relating to elections in the City of Richmond Hill, including by-laws, legislation, policies and procedures. Please note that these resources do not apply to provincial or federal elections.

2022 Municipal Elections Resources

For the latest information about elections, including general information for voters and candidates, visit RichmondHill.ca/RHVotes.

Additional resources for the 2022 Municipal Elections will be added here as they become available.

General Information for Candidates and Third Parties

2022 Voters' Guide - Ontario municipal and school board elections

2022 Candidates' Guide - Ontario municipal and school board elections

2022 School Trustee Candidate's Guide (OESC)

Information from York Region District School Board

2022 Third Party Advertisers' Guide

By-laws

On June 9, 2021, Council of the City of Richmond Hill passed By-law 74-21 authorizing the use of optical scan tabulators for use with paper ballots.

By-law 74-21

On February 23, 2022, Council of the City of Richmond Hill passed By-law 39-22 authorizing the use of internet voting in addition to voting using paper ballots and tabulators.

By-law 39-22

Signs

Permits are required to place election signs on public property. For more information and to apply for a permit, please visit our Sign Permit page.

Election signage must comply with the City's sign by-law and applicable York Region by-laws.

City of Richmond Hill Sign By-law 52-09

Region of York Election Sign Guidelines

Policies and Procedures

Click the hyperlinks below to view the policies and procedures related to the 2022 Municipal Elections.

Internet Voting Procedures

Tabulator Voting Procedures

Use of Corporate Resources for Election Campaign Purposes Policy

2022 By-election Resources

For the latest information about an upcoming election, visit RichmondHill.ca/RHVotes.

Maps

Maps showing ward boundaries, Vote Centre locations, and polling subdivisions are available at the links below.

City-wide Vote Centre Map

By Laws

On October 13, 2021, Council of the City of Richmond Hill passed By-laws 132-21, requiring a by-election to be held to fill the vacancy in the Office of the Mayor, and 133-21, authorizing the use of internet voting in addition to voting using paper ballots and tabulators. You can view copies of the by-laws here:

Voting Procedures

Voting procedures describe the detailed processes for how the vote will be conducted in order to ensure the privacy and integrity of the vote.

Internet Voting Procedures

Tabulator Voting Procedures

Declaration of Emergency

On October 14, 2021, the City Clerk declared an emergency in accordance with Section 53 of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996. You can view a copy of the Declaration of Emergency here: 2022 By-election Declaration of Emergency.

Policies and Procedures

Use of Corporate Resources for Election Campaign Purposes Policy

Accessibility

Richmond Hill is committed to identifying, removing, and preventing barriers for voters and candidates with disabilities. See below for resources.

General

The City of Richmond Hill conducts elections in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, and the City's Accessibility Policies and Procedures. For more information, visit our Accessibility page.

Election-Specific Accessibility Plans

Click the links below to see Accessibility Plans for previous elections.

Note: Accessibility Plans are not required for by-elections. It can be assumed that accessibility is accomplished for a by-election by following previous Accessibility Plans with necessary adjustments for dates and other details, and that Accessibility Plans will only be produced for by-elections if they are being conducted in a manner that deviates significantly from previous elections.

2022 Municipal Elections Accessibility Report

2022 Municipal Elections Accessibility Plan

2020 By-election Accessibility Plan

2018 Municipal Elections Accessibility Plan

Election Sign Information

All Candidates and Third Party Advertisers are required to fill out the application for Election Signs and pay the associated fees before displaying any Elections-related signage.

Detailed information about election signs in Richmond Hill can be found in Section 6.6 of the Richmond Hill Sign By-law No. 52-09, as amended. Visit the Sign Permit page or contact Community Standards for more information or to apply for a permit.

Legislation

Municipal elections are governed primarily by the Municipal Elections Act, 1996.

Regulations under the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 also govern municipal elections, including:

O. Reg. 101/97 is a general regulation outlining a variety of details.
O. Reg. 304/13 dictates what kind of identification can be accepted for election purposes.

Once elected, Council derives its authority from the Municipal Act, 2001.

School Board Trustees operate within the framework of the Education Act, R.S.O. 1990, which also establishes eligibility to run for and serve in trustee offices.

Media Presence at Vote Centres

Members of the media must follow the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 while reporting on Municipal Elections in Richmond Hill.

In addition, media outlets interested in attending a Vote Centre should note the following:

Cameras, or electronic recording of any kind, are not allowed in Vote Centres, to ensure the secrecy of the vote.
- Media outlets will not be allowed inside Vote Centres. However, media may request permission to film outside a Vote Centre. Requests should be made in advance to communications@richmondhill.ca.
- The privacy and the security of the electoral process is of utmost importance. Election officials may deny the presence of the media at any time if there are concerns that the voting process may be hampered.

Provincial Authorities

Access Richmond Hill

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