Here’s a timeline of how the 2025 Ontario election will go down

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has just confirmed what people in the province have been anticipating for months now: an early election, to be called in just a matter of days.

During the question period of a Friday morning presser about the Hazel McCallion LRT — the Brampton transit project that Ford revealed will now be partially underground — the leader was asked directly about the rumours of a snap provincial vote.

“We will be calling the election next Wednesday, I’ll be seeing the Lieutenant Governor on Tuesday,” Ford verified, citing the need for a bold plan and for, and united front against, the steep tariffs the U.S. is set to impose on Canadian goods.

“We need a mandate from the people to fight against Donald Trump’s tariffs, the attack he’s coming [sic] against our families, our businesses, our communities. And with a strong mandate, we will be able to fight and make sure that we stop the tariffs,” he remarked.

“We’ll make sure we secure people’s livelihoods and I will take whatever it takes to protect the people of Ontario, and, in turn, because we’re the engine of Canada, protect all Canadians. We will not back down.”

Ford also noted the big question mark looming over Parliament right now, promising that he would deliver the “strong leadership” that is required in this pivotal moment, and which Ottawa is currently without.

So, how will an early election work?

Doug Ford will officially call the election

This election will be formally called on Wednesday, January 29, with voters due to head to the polls on Thursday, February 27 — some 15 months earlier than the 44th Ontario general election was due to take place.

In Ontario, the writs for an election must be drawn on a Wednesday, and voting must take place on the fifth Thursday after that (unless the date falls on a holiday).

Ford and his Progressive Conservatives, who have now won two back-t0-back majority governments, will primarily be up against the NDP and Leader Marit Stiles (currently Leader of the Opposition), the Liberals and Leader Bonnie Crombie, and the Greens and Leader Mike Schreiner, with 28 days to campaign.

Ford is believed to be the preferred candidate at this time.

Voter cards will be sent out

Voter cards will be swiftly mailed out to registered voters across the province’s 124 electoral districts.

But be warned, in the past some have received them pretty close to the big day, so be sure to check your mail frequently in the coming weeks. You can update your information online if your address or other key details have changed since 2022.

Polls will open (and close)

During the last provincial election on June 2, 2022, polls were open for 12 hours, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. We can likely expect the same this year.

Employers must provide estaff who are Canadian citizens, residents of Ontario and aged 18 or over with three consecutive hours, paid, to vote if they do not have three consecutive hours outside of their work time to do so.

Results will be announced

The results will trickle in as votes are counted, with some ridings potentially able to tell minutes after polls close who their new MPP is.

Overall results will, of course, be keeping everyone on their toes as they are posted live, but the projected winner for premier may also be determined quite quickly thanks to vote tabulator machines that the province has employed since 2018.

Last election, Ford was already being announced as the winner by some outlets shortly after polls closed at 9 p.m. Only 44 per cent of eligible voters actually turned out that day, marking the worst voter turnout in the province’s history.