Toronto’s mayoral election is going down to the wire. With voting set for October 26, a new Liaison Strategies poll of 1,000 residents (October 18–19) puts challenger Brad Bradford at 49% and incumbent Olivia Chow at 47% among decided and leaning voters — a statistical tie within the ±3.1-point margin of error.
Other pollsters paint a similarly knife-edge picture: Nanos/CP24 has Chow at 49.8% vs. Bradford at 46.6%, Mainstreet gives Bradford 48.9% to Chow’s 47.5%, and Pollara has Chow ahead 53 to 46. The final CP24 debate aired on October 22, giving both candidates one last prime-time stage.
One number stands out regardless of the polls: advance voting has nearly doubled, with 222,550 ballots cast early compared to 115,911 in 2022 — a sign of an energized electorate.
The regional and demographic splits are stark. Bradford leads in Etobicoke and North York, Chow in Scarborough and downtown; women back Chow decisively (60–39), while men lean toward Bradford.
With every major poll inside the margin of error, Toronto’s next mayor may not be known until the final ballots are counted on Monday night.
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Bhudev Bhagaliya is an experienced and senior journalist who has carved a distinct niche for himself in the world of Hindi journalism through his profound understanding and precise writing style. With over two decades of experience in the field of journalism, he has held key responsibilities at Dainik Hindustan for 12 years and at Amar Ujala for one year. Currently, he serves as the Content Editor for the Jagrook Youth News newspaper and portal, where he plays a crucial role in ensuring the quality and credibility of the news content. Bhudev Bhagaliya consistently writes about issues that help raise awareness within society and among the younger generation.