OttawaVanier byelection: everything you need to know to vote

Residents in OttawaVanier head to the polls Thursday to determine which candidate will replace longtime Liberal MPP Madeleine Meilleur.

• Ontario byelections come at difficult time for Kathleen Wynne's Liberals

Meilleurretired in July tospend more time with her family.

There are 11candidates running in the provincial byelection, one of two being held in Ontario today.

Polls open at 9 a.m. and close at 9 p.m.

Here's what you need to know to cast your ballot:

Who can vote?

To vote in an Ontario provincial election you must:

• Be a Canadian citizen.
• Be at least 18 years old.
• Be a resident of Ontario.

Where to vote?

More than 40 polling stations will be open across OttawaVanier for Thursday's vote.

Find out which polling station has beenassigned to your addresshere.

You can also contact the returning office by calling 1-866-532-3156.

What do I need to vote?

If you're on the list of registered voters in OttawaVanier or you have a certificate to vote fromElectionsOntario, you need:

• One piece of identification showing your name, matching how it appears on the list. Examples include abirth certificate, passport, Ontario Health Card, student card, credit or debit card.

If your name is not on the list or you need to obtain a certificate to vote you need:

• One piece of identification that includes your name and your residential address. Examples include an Ontario driver's licence, a bank or credit card statement, a utility bill, a residential lease or mortgage agreement, or any document issued by the government of Canada or an Ontario municipality.

Who's on the ballot?

Candidates include:

• ClaudeBisson, New Democratic Party of Ontario.
• Kevin Clarke, The Peoples Political Party.
• Elizabeth deVielCastel, Stop the New Sex-Ed Agenda.
• Nathalie DesRosiers, Ontario Liberal Party.
• Dean T. Harris, Ontario Libertarian Party.
• AndrMarin, Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario.
• StephanieMcEvoy, Canadian Constituents' Party.
• DavidMcGruer, Freedom Party of Ontario.
• RaphalMorin, Green Party of Ontario.
• JohnTurmel, Pauper Party of Ontario.
• AboveZnoneofthe, None of the Above Party.

A byelection is also being held Thursday in the riding of Niagara West-Glanbrook. Analysts have framed the elections as a mid-point check-infor the governing Liberals, who have been criticized for rising hydro prices.

OttawaVanier includes the Byward Market, Sandy Hill, Overbrook and parts of Gloucester.

Other local issues include the possibility of a downtown truck tunnel, the Energy East Pipeline and the closure of Rideau High School.