The 36-Day Election Calendar
Once an election has been called, electoral activities occur in the following order during the 36 days before election day.
| Issue of the writs; voting by special ballot begins | Day 36 before election day (or earlier) |
|---|---|
| Offices of the returning officers open | Days 36–32 |
| Preliminary lists of electors sent to returning officers | Day 34 |
| Revision of lists of electors begins | The date set by the CEO, usually Day 33 |
| Notice of Election published – candidates may file nominations | Day 32 (or earlier) |
| Preliminary lists of electors sent to candidates as they are confirmed | Day 32 |
| Targeted revision begins | Day 29 |
| Voter information cards mailed to all registered electors | Days 26–24 |
| Nominations close | Day 21 (2:00 p.m.) |
| Confirmation of candidacies | Day 19 (2:00 p.m.) (or earlier) |
| Reminder cards distributed | Days 19–17 |
| Revised lists of electors sent to candidates | Day 11 |
| Advance polls (registration at polls permitted) | Days 10, 9, 7 |
| Actual spending limits announced for candidates and parties | Day 7 |
| Revision ends | Day 6 (6:00 p.m.) |
| Deadline for registering to vote by special ballot | Day 6 (6:00 p.m.) |
| Election day* | Day 0 |
* Special ballots must be received by the returning officer before the close of polls or at Elections Canada in Ottawa before 6:00 p.m., Eastern Time.
For more information, please contact:
Elections Canada
257 Slater Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0M6
Telephone
1-800-463-6868
toll-free in Canada and the United States
001-800-514-6868
toll-free in Mexico
613-993-2975
from anywhere in the world
For people who are deaf or hard of hearing:
TTY 1-800-361-8935
toll-free in Canada and the United States
Fax
613-954-8584
1-888-524-1444
toll-free in Canada and the United States
This publication is available in multiple formats.
March 2011