A writ was issued today, April 3, 2024, under Section 9.1 of the Election Act for by-elections in the electoral districts of Milton and Lambton-Kent-Middlesex.
Under the Election Act, elections must be called on a Wednesday and held the fifth Thursday after the date of the issue of the writ.
Voting day will be May 2, 2024, Provincial officials say.
Elections Ontario officials say residents can use Voter Registration  to update or add their voter information by April 22.
“Voter information cards will be mailed out between April 16 to 19,” Elections Ontario officials added.
“Your voter information card will contain information about when and where to vote. Ontario provincial elections are held to elect Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs) to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. When an election is called, electors vote for a candidate to represent their electoral district. The candidate with the greatest number of votes in each district becomes its MPP. The political party with the greatest number of elected MPPs usually forms the new provincial government.”
Canadian citizens residing in Lambton—Kent—Middlesex, who will be 18 years of age or older on election day are eligible to vote.
“There are many days and ways to mark your X in this by-election, including by mail, at the returning office, at an advance voting location and on election day, Elections Ontario officials say.
Here are some important dates for voting:
– April 3 to 26 – Submit your application to vote by mail by 6 p.m. (Eastern Time) on April 26. Apply online or download an application.
– April 4 to May 1 – Vote at your returning office until 6 p.m. (Eastern Time) on May 1.
– April 18 – Find a complete list of candidates after nominations close at 2 p.m. (Eastern Time).
– April 21 to 26 – Vote at an advance voting location.
– April 21 to May 2 – Use assistive voting technology at your returning office or by appointment on election day.
– May 2 – Vote on election day from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Eastern Time).
The Lambton—Kent—Middlesex by-election returning office is located at 28537 Centre Rd, Strathroy ON N7G 3H6 and the office can be reached at 1-833-415-2911.
More details can be found, here.
A number of candidates have already been announced across the riding.
The Lambton-Kent-Middlesex Riding Association of the New Blue Party of Ontario has announced Dr. Keith Benn will be their candidate. More details, here.
Cathy Burghardt-Jesson, the third-term Mayor of Lucan Biddulph and three-term Warden of Middlesex County, is the Ontario Liberal candidate. More details, here.
The Ontario PC Party elected Chatham-Kent Councillor Steve Pinsonneault as the party’s candidate. More details, here.
The New Democratic Party of Ontario officials shave nominated Alvinston’s Kathryn Shailer as their candidate. More details, here.
Andraena Tilgner, a registered respiratory therapist, will represent the Green Party of Ontario. More details, here.
The by-election was sparked after MPP Monte McNaughton, who was also the Minister of Labour in Ontario, announced his resignation back in September.
“It is always difficult to know the right time to leave politics,” McNaughton said in a statement issued on Friday morning, September 22, 2023.
“After much soul searching over the summer months, I have accepted a job in the private sector. I have spoken with Premier Ford to let him know that I am stepping down from my cabinet duties immediately and will be resigning my seat in the days ahead. I will not be seeking re-election.”
McNaughton added: “It has been the honour of a lifetime to serve the people of Ontario as Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training, and Skills Development for more than four years. I want to express my deepest gratitude to the people of Lambton-Kent-Middlesex. It has been a privilege to have represented you since 2011.”
Watch for more details on the by-election leading up to May 2, 2024.
