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Guide to the federal election

A collage of photos of voters

Voter's checklist

Get to know your voting options and choose what works best for you.

  • Make sure you're registered at your current address
  • Watch for your voter information card in the mail
  • Make a plan to vote
    • Vote on election day at your assigned polling station
    • Vote on advance polling days at your assigned polling station
    • Vote early at any Elections Canada office across the country (until the Tuesday before election day)
    • Vote by mail (deadlines apply)
  • Find out who the candidates are in your riding
  • Bring ID when you go to vote

This brochure is available in multiple languages at elections.ca. For other formats, such as braille, large print and DAISY, call us.

Make sure you're registered to get a voter information card

Photo of the Voter information card

If you're registered, you should get a voter information card in the mail after the election is called. It tells you where and when you can vote. Bring the card, along with accepted ID, to make the voting process easier.

If you don't get a card, or if the information on it is incorrect, you may not be registered or your voter information may not be up to date. Visit elections.ca to register or update your address, or call us at 1-800-463-6868 or 1-800-361-8935 (TTY) for assistance. You can also register or update your voter information when you go to vote.

To register and vote in the federal election, you must:

  • be a Canadian citizen
  • be at least 18 years old on election day
  • prove your identity and address

Ways to vote

You can vote almost any time during the election period.

Choose the voting option that works best for you.

Check your voter information card for where and when you can vote.

  1. Vote on election day at your assigned polling station

    Your assigned polling station will be open for 12 hours (hours vary by time zone).

  2. Vote on advance polling days at your assigned polling station

    Your assigned polling station will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on the Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday the week before election day.

  3. Vote early at any Elections Canada office across the country

    Go to any Elections Canada office by the Tuesday before election day, 6 p.m. You will vote using the special ballot process. After the election is called, visit elections.ca or call us at 1-800-463-6868 or 1-800-361-8935 (TTY) to find the Elections Canada office nearest you.

  4. Vote by mail

    Apply by the Tuesday before election day, 6 p.m. You will vote using the special ballot process. Make sure we receive your completed ballot by election day, or it cannot be counted. If you think your ballot will not arrive on time, you can drop it off at your local Elections Canada office any time during the election. Visit elections.ca for more information on deadlines and to see if voting by mail is the right choice for you.

    Once you apply to vote by mail, you can't change your mind and vote at advance polls or on election day.

Have your ID ready to vote

You have three options to prove your identity and address. To vote, you must be a Canadian citizen and at least 18 years old on election day.

Option 1: Show one of these pieces of ID

  • your driver's licence
  • any other card issued by a Canadian government (federal, provincial/territorial or local) with your photo, name and current address

OR

Option 2: Show two pieces of ID

Both must have your name and at least one must have your current address.

Examples:

  • voter information card and bank statement
  • utility bill and student ID card

Don't have these? No problem!

There are other accepted pieces of ID. Check out the full list at elections.ca.

OR

Option 3: If you don't have ID

You can still vote if you declare your identity and address in writing and have someone who knows you and who is assigned to your polling station vouch for you.

The voucher must be able to prove their identity and address. A person can vouch for only one person (except in long-term care facilities).

Voting assistance tools and services

All electors are assigned a polling station for election day and advance polling days. After the election is called, make sure your assigned polling station meets your accessibility needs. To find out how accessible it is:

  • check your voter information card
  • visit elections.ca and enter your postal code into the Voter Information Service box, or
  • call us at 1-800-463-6868 or 1-800-361-8935 (TTY)

If you have concerns about the accessibility of your assigned polling station, call us at 1-800-463-6868 or 1-800-361-8935 (TTY).

To request voting assistance in advance, including language and sign language interpretation, call your local Elections Canada office by the Tuesday before election day, 6 p.m.

Voting assistance tools and services on election day

    Note: Braille lists of candidates are only available on election day. Large print is available on advance polling days and on election day.

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