Want to cast your federal election vote early? Here's how
Credit to Author: Harrison Mooney| Date: Wed, 09 Oct 2019 02:45:31 +0000
Election day is now just under two weeks away, but if you can’t wait that long to exercise your democratic rights, there are three ways to get ahead of the game. Let’s take you through your options.
The first option, and a great way to beat the long lines on election day, is to vote early by taking advantage of advance polling, which gets underway next week and runs from Friday through Thanksgiving Monday.
Eager voters can cast ballots at assigned polling stations from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on the following days:
To find the exact address of your advance polling station, check your information card or use the Voter Information Service provided by Elections Canada.
If you did not receive a voter information card, or if the information is incorrect, it’s possible that your voter information may not be up to date. You can check if you’re registered or update your address online at Elections Canada.
If the advanced polling dates don’t work for you, you can make your own schedule by voting in person at any Elections Canada office in Canada, at any time before 6:00 p.m. on Oct. 15.
You can find the office closest to you by clicking here.
Finally, for Canadian citizens abroad, or those who would simply rather tackle the entire process from home, you can vote by mail, provided you apply to do so online or at an Elections Canada office by 3:00 p.m. Pacific time on Oct. 15.
The form to apply is available here.
And if none of these options are for you, then you’ll have to get in line on election day, Monday, Oct. 21. The polls open at 7 a.m and close at 7 p.m, though you’ll still be able to vote after the cutoff provided you lined up beforehand.
Don’t forget to bring something that provides your identity and current address. A driver’s licence is easiest, but any ID with your photo, name and address on it that has been issued by the federal government, province or your municipality will suffice.
If you don’t have a driver’s licence, you’ll need two pieces of ID, which can include passports, blood donor cards, birth certificates, band memberships and so on, and failing that, you can still vote if you can get someone to vouch for you. But that person must be able to prove their own identity and address.