How to Vote in the Federal Election, September 20, 2021

Who Can Vote -To vote, you must be a Canadian citizen, at least 18 years old on Election Day and prove your identity and address.

Identification – You can prove your identity by:

• Showing a government issued card with your photo, name and current address
• Showing two documents, both must include your name and one must include your address. Click on the following link to learn what documents are accepted: https://elections.ca/content2.aspx?section=id&document=index&lang=e#list
• Having an eligible voter from your assigned polling station vouch for you. 

Click on the following link to access more information about proving your identity to vote: https://elections.ca/content2.aspx?section=id&document=index&lang=e

Voter Registration – To vote, you must be registered on the list of electors. You can register online. Click on the following link to register online: https://ereg.elections.ca/CWelcome.aspx?lang=e

You can also register in person at your local Elections Canada office or at your assigned polling place. Click on the following link for more information about registration: https://www.elections.ca/content.aspx?section=vot&dir=reg&document=index&lang=e

Voter Information Card - If you are registered to vote, you should receive a Voter Information Card in the mail. Click on the following link to get more information on the Voter Information Card: https://elections.ca/content2.aspx?section=faq&document=faqvic&lang=e

Plan to Vote - As we have learned, everything is more complicated and takes longer during the pandemic, so make a plan for how you will cast your ballot. When you are planning, consider which of the voting options will be best for you.

Accessibility - Click on the following link to find out about Elections Canada’s accessibility provisions: https://elections.ca/content2.aspx?section=acc&document=index&lang=e

How to Vote - There are several ways you can cast your ballot:
• By mail,
• At an Advance Poll,
• At an Elections Canada office, and
• Possibly, at the seniors’ residence or long-term care facility, where you reside.

Vote by Mail – You do not have to vote in person. Voting by mail is an option. To vote by mail, you must apply before Tuesday, September 14, 2021 at 6:00 pm. Elections Canada will mail you a voting kit, which includes instructions, the Special Ballot (and a mailing envelope that is pre-addressed and does not need postage. Click on the following link to learn more about the Special Ballot: https://elections.ca/content2.aspx?section=vote&dir=spe&document=index&lang=e

Once you have applied to vote by mail, you cannot vote at an Advance Poll or on Election Day.

How to Apply – Voters can apply to vote by mail at any Elections Canada office or online. Click on the following link to apply: https://elections.ca/content2.aspx?section=vote&dir=app&document=page-b&lang=e

You can check the status of your application. If you applied online, check online using the reference number you received when you applied. If you applied by telephone, fax, or in person, you can call your local Elections Canada office.

You can contact Elections Canada by telephone. Language interpretation is available in approximately 220 heritage and Indigenous languages.  The hours of service are 7: 00 am until midnight E.T. The numbers are:

• Toll-free in Canada and the United States 1-800-463-6868,
• Toll-free in Mexico 001-800-514-6868,
• From anywhere in the world 613-993-2975.
• For people who are deaf or hard of hearing there is the TTY, toll-free number in Canada and the United States 1-800-361-8935.

Click on the following link to learn more about contacting Elections Canada: https://elections.ca/content2.aspx?section=conge&document=index&lang=e

Who Is Seeking Election - If you do not know the candidates running in your riding, Elections Canada has a list of all the candidates. Click on the following link to access the information: https://www.elections.ca/scripts/vis/FindED?L=e&PAGEID=20

Vote at an Advance Poll – The Advance Polling Days are:

• Friday, September 10;
• Saturday, September 11;
• Sunday, September 12;
• Monday, September 13.

Voting on Advance Polling Days takes place at your assigned polling station. The hours for voting are from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm. You can find out if the assigned polling station meets your accessibility needs by calling Elections Canada at 1-800-463-6868 or 1-800-361-8935 (TTY).

Vote at an Elections Canada Office – Voters complete the Special Ballot when they vote at an Elections Canada office. You can vote at an Elections Canada office before September 15, 2021. Elections Canada has 500 offices throughout Canada.  In the near future Elections Canada will have its list of offices available online.

Vote on Election Day – You can vote at your assigned polling station.  The polling station will be open for 12 hours.  The hours vary by Time Zone.

• Newfoundland Time 8:30 am – 8:30 pm
• Atlantic Time 8:30 am – 8:30 pm
• Eastern Time 9:30 pm – 9:30 pm
• Central Time  8:30 am – 8:30 pm
• Saskatchewan 7:30 am – 8:30 pm
• Mountain Time 7:30 pm  - 7:30 pm
• Pacific Time 7:30 am - 7:30 pm

Vote at a Seniors’ Residences or Long-term Care Facilities – Depending on the circumstances at each location, voting may take place by:

• An On-site Poll – The facility administration and Elections Canada will set a date and time for the poll.
• Coordinated Special Ballot Voting - Facility staff working with the local Elections Canada office will provide residents with the special ballot application and voting kit. Staff may help residents fill out their application.
• Mail-in Voting – Residents will independently apply to vote by mail.

Students – Students vote using the address that they consider home. Students, who will be voting using an address other than where they live while at school, will vote either at any Elections Canada office or by mail. If students are voting using the address where they live while at school, have the option to voting on Election Day at their assigned polling station, at an advance poll, by mail, or at any Elections Canada office.
Voting During a Pandemic – Polling station staff will be wearing masks. There will be indicators to help you physically distance from other people and hand sanitizing stations. Single use pencils will be provided to voters for marking the ballot or voters can use their own pen or pencil.

Reliable Information about Voting in a Federal Election – Elections Canada has all the information you need to vote in a Federal Election. Visit their website by clicking on the following link: https://elections.ca/home.aspx