Who can vote?
You are entitled to vote in a Canadian federal election, choosing the candidate running in your riding who you want to represent you in the House of Commons, if you are:
- a Canadian citizen
- at least 18 years old on election day
- registered in the National Register of Electors
You might already be registered and listed in National Register of Electors database, but in case of doubt, call Elections Canada toll-free at 1-800-463-6868 and check.
If you receive a Confirmation of Registration notice in the mail soon after a federal election is called, then you are officially registered to vote in Canada. Just follow the instructions on the notice regarding when and where to cast your vote.
If you do not receive this notice within two weeks of a federal election announcement but are at least 18 years of age on election day and a Canadian citizen, call Elections Canada toll-free at 1-800-463-6868 to make sure you can exercise your right to vote.
Where do I vote?
The Confirmation of Registration notice you should have received in the mail will indicate where you should present yourself to vote. Usually, it's a location within walking distance of home. You can also enter your postal code to find out the name of your riding and the location of your polling station.
When do I vote?
The Confirmation of Registration notice you should have received in the mail will indicate the day of the election. The hours your designated polling station will be open are from 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Should I bring I.D.?
Yes, courtesy of the Elections Fraud Act, you must prove your identity in person at the polling station. You'll need to present one piece of identification with your picture, name and address.
If you don't have such I.D., which is the case if you don't have a driver's license in Canada or an Ontario health card, then you'll need to present two pieces of identification: both with your name and one with your address. Consult Elections Canada's list of approved I.D for details.
If you don't have the required identification, then you can still take an oath and have a qualified voter vouch for you, also under oath.
What is Elections Canada?
Responsible for administering all federal elections, including general elections, by-elections and referendums, Elections Canada is an unbiased, non-partisan independent agency that reports directly to Parliament and carries out electoral activities in accordance with the Canada Elections Act.
For more information on the above or to find out if you are registered to vote, call Elections Canada toll-free at 1-800-463-6868.
