Poll watch: Love-hate for Ford, Horwath popular, Del Duca unknown

Plus: How the leaders are spending Writ Day, fresh Grit ads, Roe ripples

ABOVE THE FOLD

AND THEY’RE OFF — It’s official. Ontario’s 43rd election kicks off today after Lieutenant Governor ELIZABETH DOWDESWELL accepted Premier DOUG FORD’s advice to dissolve the Legislature yesterday afternoon.

It’s a formality that sets off the starter pistol for the campaign and solidifies Election Day on June 2 — but it feels like all political parties have been in campaign mode for months, with a steady stream of platform goody announcements.

What’s next: The LG and Chief Electoral Officer GREG ESSENSA will meet today to sign the writs of election.

Public-opinion surveys have for weeks put the PCs on top and poised for re-election (more on this below) — with the Liberals overtaking the NDP in the race for second place.

But campaigns matter, and for the Opposition, the next 29 days will be all about positioning themselves as the best alternative to the ruling Tories.

A fly in the ointment: Voters may be dealing with fatigue and apathy, having gone to the federal polls not …