Toronto

Toronto election: Voters break record on 1st day of advance voting

Torontonians broke a record on Tuesday for the highest voter turnout on the first day of advance voting in the pending mayoral election.

28,046 people cast ballot on 1st day of advance voting

Advance voting in Toronto's pending mayoral election opened Tuesday and continues until October 19. (CBC News)

Torontonians broke a record on Tuesday for the highest voter turnout on the first day of advance voting in the pending mayoral election.

On Tuesday, the first day Toronto residents could cast a ballot for their choice for the city's top job, 28,046 people voted, according to a City of Toronto press release.

More than 1,000 people cast ballots at Fairfield Seniors Centre in Ward 5, Timothy Eaton Memorial Church in Ward 22, Banbury Community Centre in Ward 25, and 519 Church Street Community Centre in Ward 27.

Tuesday's figures exceed the total weekday turnout for advance voting in the city's 2010 mayoral election. Only 16,000 voters cast ballots during six weekdays of advance voting that year. A total of 77,000 votes were cast during the entire duration of advance voting.

Voters can choose their next mayor from a list of 65 candidates. The top contenders are believed to be John Tory, Olivia Chow and Doug Ford.

An advance voting location is open in one of each of the city's 44 wards until October 19. Locations are open between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Residents from all wards can cast a ballot at city hall until Friday, Oct. 17.

Election day is October 27.