elections.ca Ways to Vote : Canada

Organisation : Elections Canada
Facility : Ways to Vote
Country : Canada

Ways to Vote : http://www.elections.ca/content.aspx?section=vot&dir=vote&document=index&lang=e#election
Home page : http://www.elections.ca/home.aspx

Ways to Vote :
Once an election is called, you will have several voting options:
** Vote on election day
** Vote at your advance poll
** Vote at your local Elections Canada office
** Vote by mail

1) Vote on election day :
The date, hours and address of your election day poll will be available on this website, on your voter information card or by calling Elections Canada.

To vote on election day:
** You must be registered to vote; if you aren’t, you can register now, or register at your polling place, just before you vote.
** You must prove your identity and address.

2) Vote at your advance poll :
** Advance polls will be held on the 10th, 9th, 8th and 7th days before election day (a Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday).
** They will be open from 12 noon to 8 p.m. local time.
** The dates and address of your advance poll will be available on this website, on your voter information card or by calling Elections Canada.

To vote at your advance poll :
** You must be registered to vote; if you aren’t, you can register now or register at your advance polling place, just before you vote.
** You must prove your identity and home address.

3) Vote at any Elections Canada office :
** You can vote in person at any Elections Canada office across the country, for most of the election period.
** After an election is called, Elections Canada sets up local offices in every riding in Canada.
** To vote at an Elections Canada office, you must complete an Application for Registration and Special Ballot.
** Staff can help you with this form, if you’d like. You must show proof of your identity and home address.
** Once your special ballot application is accepted, staff will give you a special ballot voting kit.
** You can vote on the spot. Or, if you prefer, you can come back to the office to submit your vote later.
** After an election is called, the address of Elections Canada offices will be available on this website or by calling Elections Canada.
** Voting at an Elections Canada office means voting by special ballot. Read important information on voting by special ballot.

4) Vote by mail :
a) Vote by mail – for electors who live in Canada :
If your home is in Canada, you must wait until after an election is called to apply to vote by mail.

After an election is called :
** Complete an Application for Registration and Special Ballot.
** The form will be available on this website, at any local Elections Canada office, at any Canadian embassy, high commission or consulate or by calling Elections Canada.
** Send us your completed form and proof of identity and home address.
** You can submit them by fax, by mail, or in person at any local Elections Canada office.
** Once your application is accepted, we will send you a special ballot voting kit by regular mail.
** (If you apply in person, staff will hand you the kit.)
** The kit explains how to mark your special ballot and mail it in.

Voting by mail means voting by special ballot. Read important information on voting by special ballot.

b) Vote by mail – for electors who live outside Canada :
If you’re a Canadian elector, your home is outside Canada, and you meet certain eligibility criteria, you can apply now to vote by mail in a future election.

Canadians living abroad :
** You can also get an application form at any Canadian embassy, high commission or consulate or by calling Elections Canada.
** Ask for an Application for Registration and Special Ballot for Canadian Citizens Residing Outside Canada.
** The form explains how to submit your application and proof of identity to Elections Canada in Ottawa.

** If we accept your application, we will add your name to the International Register of Electors.
** This is a list of Canadians temporarily living outside Canada who can vote in federal elections.
** When an election is called, we will mail a special ballot voting kit to everyone in the International Register of Electors.
** The kit explains how to mark your special ballot and mail it in.

Voting by mail means voting by special ballot. Read important information on voting by special ballot and specific voting rules for Canadians living abroad.

Important information on voting by special ballot :
** Voting by mail or at a local Elections Canada office means voting by special ballot.
** Anyone may vote by special ballot, but you must apply for this ballot in advance.
** Your application must be received at Elections Canada by the special ballot registration deadline: 6 p.m. on the Tuesday before election day.
** Once your application is accepted, we will give you a special ballot voting kit.

This kit includes:
** a special ballot
** two envelopes (they keep your vote secret)
** instructions on how to mark and mail in your special ballot

** Your completed special ballot must arrive at Elections Canada by the election day deadline, or it will not be counted.
** Once your application to vote by special ballot has been accepted, this is the only way you can vote.
** You cannot vote at the advance or election day polls or apply for another special ballot.
** You may vote only once during an election, and you may vote only for a candidate running in your riding.