Number of votes that may be given by an elector
54. (1) An elector whose name appears on the polling list for a polling subdivision or who presents a certificate to vote there under section 36, 55 or 61 is entitled to vote in an election in that subdivision in accordance with the following rules: 1. The elector is entitled to vote once only for one candidate for mayor, reeve or deputy reeve. 2. The elector is entitled to vote for as many candidates for controller as there are controllers to be elected but once only for each candidate. 3. In The Regional Municipality of Hamilton-Wentworth, the elector is entitled to vote once only for one candidate for chair of the Regional Council. 3.1 In The Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton, the elector is entitled to vote once only for one candidate for chair of the Regional Council. 4. Where the election of aldermen, councillors, trustees or members of local boards is by general vote, the elector is entitled to vote for as many candidates for such offices as there are candidates to be elected but once only for each candidate. 5. Where the aldermen, councillors, trustees or members of local boards are elected by wards, the elector is entitled to vote, i. if resident in the municipality, in the polling subdivision in which he or she resides, or ii. if not resident in the municipality, in the polling subdivision in which his or her name appears on the polling list, for as many candidates for such offices as there are candidates to be elected for the ward but once only for each candidate. 6. Where the election is to the office of member of a school board to be elected by public school electors in a municipality or a part thereof, or in a combination of municipalities, in which the polling subdivision is located, a public school elector is entitled to as many votes as there are members to be elected by the public school electors in such municipality or part, or combination of municipalities, as the case may be, but may not give more than one vote to any one candidate. 7. Where the election is to the office of member of a school board to be elected by separate school electors in a municipality or in a part thereof, or in a combination of municipalities, in which the polling subdivision is located, a separate school elector is entitled to as many votes as there are members to be elected by the separate school electors in such municipality or part, or combination of municipalities, as the case may be, but may not give more than one vote to any one candidate. 8. Where the election is to the French-language section, or the English-language section, of a board under Part XIII of the Education Act, an elector is entitled to as many votes as there are members of the French-language section or the English-language section, as the case may be, of the board but may not give more than one vote to any one candidate. 9. Where the election is to the office of member of the Roman Catholic or public sector of The Ottawa-Carleton French-language School Board under the Ottawa-Carleton French-Language School Board Act, to be elected by electors entitled to elect members of that sector in a municipality or in a part thereof, or in a combination of municipalities in The Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton, a public sector or Roman Catholic sector elector is entitled to as many votes as there are members of that sector to be elected by such electors in such municipality or part, or combination of municipalities, as the case may be, but may not give more than one vote to any one candidate. 10. An elector who is entitled to vote in respect of any by-law or question authorized or required by law to be submitted for the assent or opinion of the electors is entitled to vote once only with respect to that by-law or question. R.S.O. 1990, c.M.53, s.54(1); 1991, c.3, s.3(3). Restriction (2) Despite subsection (1), an elector whose name appears on the polling list for more than one polling subdivision in a regional municipality or in a school board jurisdiction shall not vote in more than one of the polling subdivisions in an election for the office of a member of a regional council or of a school board, respectively. Employees to have three consecutive hours for voting (3) Where, by reason of the hours of his or her employment, an employee who is a qualified elector will not have three consecutive hours to vote while the polls are open on a polling day at an election, his or her employer shall, at the convenience of the employer, allow the employee such time for voting as is necessary to provide the three consecutive hours. Deduction from pay prohibited (4) No employer shall make any deduction from the pay of any such employee or exact from the employee any penalty by reason of absence from work during the time allowed by the employer for voting. Determination of status (5) For the purposes of this section, the determination as to whether an elector is a public school elector, a separate school elector, an English language public school elector, an English language separate school elector, a French language public school elector or a French language separate school elector shall be in accordance with the electoral status indicated on the list certified under section 34. R.S.O. 1990, c.M.53, s.54(2-5).