Canadian Federal Election Voting OptionsYou probably already knew you could vote:

  1. on election day in by joining thousands of people in line
  2. in limited site advance polls with dozens of people in line
  3. by mail in ballot

but did you know you can vote NOW at ANY of the 500 temporary or permanent Elections Canada offices?

Between now and October 15th, 2019 from 9am to 9pm you can just walk in with your ID.  You do NOT need to have your voter card, although you should definitely take it with you if you have it.

Will A Vote at the Elections Office So Far In Advance Really Count?

Yes, in fact yours will be one of the first counted.  Everyday, every Elections Canada office ships the ballots from those that have voted to the correct polling place so they are counted along side everyone else’s on election day.

Where Is The Closest Elections Canada Office to Me?

Just type in your postal code or city/town name in THIS search and Elections Canada will show a map of your nearest options.

Don’t I Need An Reason To Vote Early?

You no longer need an ‘excuse’ to vote early; in fact elections officials will not even ask you why.

Will There Be Line Ups At the Elections Offices?

If you visit any Elections Canada office it is very unlikely that you will find a line up; you are most likely to be asked for ID, given a ballot and be out of there in three minutes.

Can I Vote In A Different Riding Than I Live In?

Federal advance polls and election day polls require you to attend your local ‘polling place’ but if you vote at an Elections Canada office you can vote for any riding in the country.  The staff will look up your local riding and print off a ballot for you on the spot.

This is different than some provincial elections, like Alberta’s most recent, and that will cause problems on election day, so why not avoid the hassle and vote today!

What Type of Identification Do I Need?

If you are worried about your identification, don’t, as Elections Canada officials have a very long list of supported documents.  This year that even includes electronic documents.  So if your water bill comes in an email you can show that at the ballot box and they will accept it.

The key is to have two pieces of ID and one MUST have your address on it.  For most people that will be a drivers licence and voter identification card but do NOT need to have either of those.

The ID can even be expired or old.  So you if you have library card the expired 2 years ago and a paystub (with your address on it) from your last employer, elections officials will happily accept it:

From a government or government agency From a health care facility or organization
band membership cardblood donor card
birth certificateCNIB card
Canadian citizenship card or certificatehospital card
Canadian Forces identity cardlabel on a prescription container
Canadian passportidentity bracelet issued by a hospital or long-term care institution
card issued by an Inuit local authoritymedical clinic card
firearms licence
government cheque or cheque stubFrom a financial institution
government statement of benefitsbank statement
health cardcredit card
income tax assessmentcredit card statement
Indian status card or temporary confirmation of registrationcredit union statement
library carddebit card
licence or card issued for fishing, trapping or huntinginsurance certificate, policy or statement
liquor identity cardmortgage contract or statement
Métis cardpension plan statement
old age security cardpersonal cheque
parolee card
property tax assessment or evaluationFrom a private organization
public transportation cardemployee card
social insurance number cardresidential lease or sub-lease
vehicle ownershiputility bill (e.g.: electricity; water; telecommunications services including telephone, cable or satellite)
Veterans Affairs health care identification card
Letters of confirmation
From Elections Canadaletter from a public curator, public guardian or public trustee
targeted revision form to residents of long-term care institutionsletter of confirmation of residence from a First Nations band or reserve or an Inuit local authority
voter information cardletter of confirmation of residence, letter of stay, admission form, or statement of benefits from one of the following designated establishments:
student residence
From an educational institutionseniors’ residence
correspondence issued by a school, college or universitylong-term care institution
student identity cardshelter
soup kitchen
a community-based residential facility

Elections Canada AccessibilityWhat if I Need Help To Vote?

No problem.  At the polling place on election day, advance polls prior to election day or at any Elections Canada office between now and October 15th 2019, you can bring someone to help you or the poll staff will help.

What If I Don’t Speak English or French?

You have the right to vote anywhere in both official languages, but if you speak a different language like Punjabi or German, the polls have a translators available on the phone to walk you through the process.

What if I Like Line Ups?  When are the Advance Polls?

Vote at your assigned polling station from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on:

  • Friday, October 11
  • Saturday, October 12
  • Sunday, October 13
  • Monday, October 14

To find your advance polling station, check your voter information card or use the Voter Information Service.

Categories: Legislation

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