{
  "id": 4684218,
  "title": "Early voter turnout down slightly for 2 of Ontario’s 3 byelections",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/early-voter-turnout-down-slightly-for-2-of-ontarios-3-byelections",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-31T17:37:10.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Global News",
    "slug": "global-news",
    "url": "https://globalnews.ca/news/12041743/ontario-byelections-early-turnout/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Early voter turnout in two of Ontario's three upcoming byelections is slightly lower compared to the previous snap provincial ballot, according to preliminary data. Scarborough Southwest may emerge as the most competitive race. Preliminary figures from Elections Ontario reveal that only 5.2% of voters participated early in Scarborough, compared to 5% during the last provincial election. In Hamilton, the early turnout was 5.1%, down from 6.1% in the previous election. York-Simcoe saw a significant drop in early voting, from 7.2% to 4.4%. The three byelections were prompted by retirements and a defection. NDP deputy leader Doly Begum resigned to run federally, Caroline Mulroney stepped down from her York-Simcoe seat, and Hamilton's Neil Lumsden retired. Two of these seats were previously held by the Progressive Conservatives, while the third was an NDP riding. The byelections will be held on Thursday.",
  "summary": "Figures released by Elections Ontario track the number of early ballots cast in Scarborough Southwest, Hamilton East-Stoney Creek and York-Simcoe.",
  "key_points": [
    "Early voter turnout in Scarborough and Hamilton is slightly down",
    "York-Simcoe sees significant drop in early voting",
    "Byelections held due to retirements and defection"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}