FAQ page

a beginner’s guide to voting

(in Canada)

FAQs on Registration

  • There are three options to register to vote : online, by mail, or in person

    1. Register online using Elections Canada’s Online Voter Registration. It is important to have access to the number on your driver's license (excluding Quebec), or provide your provincial/territorial ID card (from Alberta, Newfoundland and Labrador, Saskatchewan or Yukon), or upload the necessary identification document(s).

    2. Register by mail by requesting a registration form from Elections Canada. Please fill out the form, sign it, and send it back by mail with a copy of your identification and proof of address.

    3. It is possible to register in person at your local Elections Canada office after an election is called or at your polling place when you go to vote.

  • If you have previously registered to vote and want to check your status check through Elections Canada HERE.

    This link will also help you verify your address.

  • By Mail

    - You must include a photocopy of your proof of identity and address. This includes: Government issued photo ID with your current address (ex. driver's licence or provincial/territorial ID card) OR two copies of identification with your name and address (ex. telephone bill and health card)

    Online

    - Use the number on your driver’s license OR your provincial or territorial ID card. Elections Canada provides a list of accepted documents HERE

FAQs

Who is eligible to vote?

You must satisfy these requirements along with being registered to vote:

  • A Canadian citizen 

  • At least 18 years old on election day

  • A resident in the electoral district

What should I bring with me to vote?

Elections Canada requires voters to prove identity and address. This can be done by :

  1. Show driver’s licence OR another Canadian government-issued photo ID with current address 

  2. Two pieces of ID with name and current address 

  3. Declare your identity and address in writing with a witness you know

IDs must not be expired and in their original format 

Accessibility needs

In order to vote, employers must provide employees with 3 consecutive hours off work during polling hours, though if the employee already has this time available, they do not need additional time for voting. Employers are required to pay their employees during this time off, but they can choose when this time will be given. If you require accessibility accommodations, Elections Canada provides services such as language or sign language interpretation, as well as various voting assistant tools like larger ballots, magnifiers, and braille templates. To access these services, visit the Accessible Voting page or call 1-800-463-6868 or 1-800-361-8935 (TTY) to ensure your polling station meets your needs.

What is a ballot?

The ballot you receive will have the names of all the candidates in your riding and a white circle beside each name, along with their respective political parties. The Deputy Returning Officer (DRO) will instruct you on how to proceed with the ballot, and they are available to answer any questions you may have. Once you go behind the screen to vote in private, locate the name of your preferred candidate and mark an "X" in the white circle next to their name. Make sure not to sign your name or write anything else on the ballot, and only mark one "X." If you make a mistake while marking your ballot, you can obtain a new one by returning it to the DRO and requesting a replacement.

Candidates Explained

When participating in a federal election, you indirectly vote for the Prime Minister of Canada by voting for your local Member of Parliament (MP), who belongs to a political party that supports the federal party leader. The leader of the party with the most elected MPs across the country becomes the Prime Minister of Canada. Each candidate and party has different ideas about what is important, how to spend tax money, and how to solve problems, so you must determine what is important to you and which party and candidate align with your beliefs. During an election period, candidates use flyers, community visits, and All Candidate’s Meetings to share their views, and you can learn more by contacting their offices or visiting their websites. You can also check out our News Feed!

Voter information cards, finding your polling station and further questions

Three weeks prior to election day, Elections Canada sends out personalized voter information cards to registered electors, indicating their registered address, when and where to vote, and various voting methods. Elections Canada maintains the National Register of Electors, a database of qualified Canadians to vote in federal elections, which is updated annually through various sources, including government agencies and updates from electors themselves. After mailing the cards, Elections Canada launches advertising and information campaigns to inform electors and update their records. The Voter Information Service provides information about electoral districts, including the list of candidates, polling locations, and local Elections Canada office addresses. Contact Elections Canada for any voting inquiries or to locate your returning officer, who is responsible for answering public questions and ensuring voting procedures are done correctly.

1-800-463-6868 or elections.ca

Information provided by Elections Canada

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