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Registration at the Polls

In order to vote, you must be registered. Elections Canada strongly encourages you to register before an election is called to make sure that your name appears on the list of electors. During an election, you can register:

  • at your local office until 6:00 p.m. (local time) on the sixth day before election day

  • at the polling station on an advance polling day or on election day

Finding your polling station

If you are not registered on the list of electors, or you have not received a voter information card from Elections Canada showing the address of your polling station, you can get the address by contacting the Elections Canada office in your electoral district. Click here to find your electoral district.

You can also enter your postal code into the Voter Information Service on our homepage.

Registering at an advance or election day poll

To have your name added to the list of electors at an advance or election day poll, you must fill out a Registration Certificate. You can do this at the polls, or in advance by completing it online on our website, printing it out and bringing it with you to the polls. Once the Registration Certificate is authorized by the deputy returning officer, and you show satisfactory proof of your identity and address, you can then vote.

Note: One representative of each candidate in the electoral district is allowed to be present to observe the process at a registration desk. Two representatives per candidate are allowed to observe the process at the polling station.

Important

When you vote, you must prove your identity and address (for a list of accepted documents, click here).

You have three options:

  • Show one original piece of identification issued by a Canadian government, whether federal, provincial or local, that contains your photo, name and address (for example, a driver's licence), or
  • Show two pieces of identification from the list authorized by the Chief Electoral Officer of Canada. Both must have your name and at least one must have your address (such as a health card and utility bill), or
  • 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 institutions).

Note: Pieces of identification must be in either English or French. In Nunavut, pieces of identification will also be accepted in Inuktitut. Expired documents are accepted.