Toronto's voter turnout is its highest in over a decade

Unofficial figures show 46 per cent of eligible Torontonians voted in this week's municipal election, against about 36 per cent across Ontario.

Ballots cast in Toronto

989,990 ballots

Toronto said 989,990 ballots were cast. Olivia Chow won the mayoralty with 532,201 votes to Brad Bradford's 404,013.

What experts say drove it

• A close race for mayor
• Tight council races in several wards
• Community organizations
• Strong media coverage

Political scientists point to a close mayoral race, tight council races, active community groups and strong media coverage.

Politics professor Myer Siemiatycki said turnout is "still too low and is a problem and we need to think about how to increase it."