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	E. Voting Process
	Table E.1 Polling divisions, polling stations and polling day Table E.2 Alternative methods of voting Table E.3 Assistance to voters on polling day Table E.4 Addition of votes
	For voting purposes, each electoral district is divided into polling divisions, established by the returning officer for that electoral district. Each polling division has at least one polling station, to which electors are assigned to cast their ballots. All jurisdictions, except Saskatchewan, require every polling station to provide level access for electors with a disability or in wheelchairs. The minimum election period, from the issuance of the writ to polling day, ranges from 21 days in Newfoundland and Labrador to 45 days in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. In Canada, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Quebec, Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, polling day is a Monday, unless that day is a holiday. In that case, the following day is designated. In Newfoundland and Labrador, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia, no day is specified as polling day, while in Ontario, it must be a Thursday, and in Nova Scotia and Manitoba, polling day must be a Tuesday. Electors are allowed between 10 and 12 hours for voting on polling day (10 in Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick; 12 in Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador, Manitoba, British Columbia and Yukon; and 11 in the rest). In addition to the ordinary polls on polling day, all jurisdictions have established alternative methods of voting to ensure that all electors can cast their ballots. These supplementary methods include advance polls, mail-in or special ballots, and mobile polls. Some jurisdictions also allow proxy voting, a method by which an elector who is absent from his or her polling division on polling day authorizes a relative or another elector to cast his or her ballot. Proxy voting is permitted in Ontario, Yukon and Nunavut. Mobile polls are travelling polling stations, usually meant for hospitals or senior citizens' care facilities. In Quebec, they visit the facilities in the week preceding polling day; in other jurisdictions, they are made available at the time of the advance polls, or on polling day, or at any time designated by the returning officer between those dates. Mobile polls are provided in ten jurisdictions (Canada, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut). All jurisdictions hold advance polls. Any electors who will not be able to vote on polling day may cast ballots at an advance poll. Advance polls usually take place on two or three different days, one week before polling day. All jurisdictions except Ontario have introduced mail-in or special ballots. As a rule, this method of voting is available to any elector, though it is especially meant for those unable to vote on polling day or at an advance poll; however, Saskatchewan, Alberta and Yukon restrict this method to certain categories of electors. Electors must apply for a special ballot before a specified deadline, and ballots must be received by a specified time to be counted. Deadlines for both the application and the return of the ballot vary from one jurisdiction to another. However, except in Saskatchewan, the deadline for receipt of the ballot never falls after polling day, nor are mail-in ballots received after the deadline counted toward the final vote. All jurisdictions also permit assistance if an elector needs help to vote. The deputy returning officer (or another election officer), a friend, or a relative may accompany the elector behind the voting screen to help mark the ballot, with slight variations among jurisdictions. A template is provided for electors who have difficulty seeing or reading, although not in Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, British Columbia or the three territories (although a template is not legislated in Nova Scotia, a template is, in fact, provided). In all jurisdictions except Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island, an interpreter may also be provided. All jurisdictions ensure that electors are entitled to time off from their employment for voting. In most jurisdictions, employers must allow electors up to three consecutive hours for voting, but in Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec, British Columbia and Yukon, employers must allow up to four consecutive hours. In Prince Edward Island, employers must provide not less than one hour. In Canada, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, the legislation allows the issuance of transfer certificates to candidates or their agents, election officers, and electors with a disability. In Ontario, electors who have recently moved and proxy voters are also eligible. Electors with certificates may vote on polling day at a polling station other than the one to which they were assigned, either because they are employed at another polling station or their assigned polling station does not have level access. The certificates are usually provided by the returning officer or election clerk. Immediately after the close of polls, the deputy returning officer is responsible for counting the votes at each polling station. The official addition of the votes (validation of the votes in Canada) usually takes place at the office of the returning officer some time later, as prescribed by law. In most jurisdictions, a judicial recount must occur if the number of votes separating the candidates who placed first and second at the official addition is less than a given number or fraction. A judicial recount may also be requested if there is reason to believe that there may have been irregularities in the official addition of votes. The applicant for such a recount usually has to make a deposit. An appeal of a judicial recount is permitted in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. In the case of a tie between the first two candidates after a judicial recount, the returning officer must generally cast the deciding vote, except in Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec, Manitoba, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, where a by-election is called, and Yukon and Nova Scotia, where the returning officer must draw lots. British Columbia makes no provision for a tie after a recount. Top of the Page
=	Table E.1 Polling divisions, polling stations and polling day
	Jurisdiction Number of electors per polling division Polling station level access Polling Electoral period Day Hours of voting Canada At least 250 electors Minimum 36 days Monday •  Newfoundland and Labrador, Atlantic and Central time zones: 8:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. • Eastern time zone: 9:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. • Mountain time zone: 7:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. • Pacific time zone: 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Newfoundland and Labrador No more than 275 electors Minimum 21 days – 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Prince Edward Island Approximately 350 electors Minimum 26, maximum 32 days Monday 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Nova Scotia Approximately 450 electors Minimum 30 days Tuesday 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. New Brunswick Approximately 450 electors Minimum 28, maximum 38 days Monday 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Quebec No more than 350 electors Minimum 33, maximum 39 days Monday 9:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. Ontario As directed by Chief Election Officer Minimum 28, maximum 56 days Thursday • 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. •  In electoral district that lies entirely west of 90°W longitude, 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Manitoba Approximately 350 electors Minimum 33 days Tuesday 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Saskatchewan No more than 300 electors – Minimum 28, maximum 34 days – 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Alberta No more than 450 electors Must be 28 days – 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. British Columbia No more than 400 electors Must be 28 days – 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Yukon 400 electors Minimum 31 days Monday 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Northwest Territories As determined by Chief Electoral Officer and returning officer Minimum 45 days Monday 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Nunavut No reference to polling divisions; however, not more than 450 voters per polling station Maximum 45 days Monday 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Top of the Page
	Table E.2 Alternative methods of voting
	Jurisdiction Proxy voting Mobile poll Advance poll Mail-in or special ballot Eligibility Time to apply Establishment Time for voting Period Eligibility Level access Available Eligibility Deadline Canada – – Where there are 2 or more institutions in which seniors or persons with a disability reside Polling day, at times set by returning officer Noon – 8:00 p.m. on 10th, 9th and 7th days before polling day Any elector Canadian Forces electors; public servants of Canada or a province or employees of international organizations of which Canada is a member posted outside Canada; persons absent from Canada less than 5 consecutive years and intending to return to reside in Canada; incarcerated electors; any other elector in Canada Application: by 6:00 p.m. on 6th day before polling day Ballot: by 6:00 p.m. on polling day Newfoundland and Labrador – – – – One or more of the 7 days immediately before polling day Any elector – Electors who would have difficulty voting at advance polls or on polling day, or inmates Application: by 6:00 p.m. on a day before polling day specified by Chief Electoral Officer Ballot: by 4:00 p.m. on a day before polling day specified by Chief Electoral Officer Prince Edward Island – – – – 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. on 9th and 7th days before polling day Any elector Electors who will be unable to vote at advance polls or on polling day and Canadian Forces electors Application: by 6:00 p.m. on or before 13th day before polling day (before 6:00 p.m. on or before polling day for incarcerated electors) Ballot: by 12 noon Monday, ordinary polling day Nova Scotia – – Long-term care facilities Minimum of 3 hours fixed by returning officer 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. on the Friday and Saturday before polling day Additional special polls: Times TBA 12th to 6th days excluding Sunday – Electors who cannot vote in person at other polls Application: by 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, the 10th day before ordinary polling day Ballot: by close of polls on polling day New Brunswick – – In treatment centres and public hospitals Fixed by returning officer in consultation with administrator of institution 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. on 9th and 7th days before polling day Additional polls: 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. on 6th, 5th and 4th days before polling day Electors who will be away on polling day Electors who will be unable to vote at advance polls or on polling day Application: not specified Ballot: by 8:00 p.m. on 3rd day before polling day Quebec – – In health institutions 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, Monday and, if necessary, Tuesday of week before polling day 2:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. on Sunday and Monday of week before polling day Election officers, persons with a disability, inmates and electors who will have difficulty voting on polling day Electors who have left province for up to 2 years Application: before 18th day before polling day Ballot: by close of polls on polling day Ontario Any elector Any time up to and including day before polling day – – 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. on 12th and 10th to 6th days before polling day Electors who will be unable to vote on polling day – – – Manitoba – – In sparsely populated areas, health care and correctional institutions, or for greater convenience of electors 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. at advance polls or on polling day For 6 days, from 2nd Monday before polling day to Saturday before polling day, 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Electors who will be unable to vote on polling day Electors who cannot go in person to polling station Application: by the Saturday before polling day Ballot: by 8:00 p.m. on polling day Saskatchewan – – In a special situation Any hours returning officer deems necessary, from first day of advance polls to 8:00 p.m. on polling day Any 5 of the 7 clear days before polling day, excluding holidays and last day before polling day If on Saturday or Sunday, noon – 7:00 p.m.; if on another day, 3:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Electors who have a physical disability or will be away on polling day; election officers and candidates' representatives – Electors who qualify as absentee voters Application: at least 12 days before polling day Ballot: by close of polls on polling day, if delivered by hand; by noon on 10th day after polling day, if delivered by registered mail and postmarked before close of polls on polling day Alberta – – In treatment centres and seniors lodges with at least 10 electors Fixed by returning officer in consultation with facility staff 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. on Thursday through Saturday of the full week before polling day Electors who have a disability or will be away on polling day; election officers; candidates; official agents; scrutineers Electors who have a disability or will be away; eligible inmates; election officers; candidates, agents; scrutineers; residents of remote areas Application: by close of polls on polling day Ballot: by close of polls on polling day British Columbia – – As established by district electoral officer As established by district electoral officer Noon – 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday through Saturday of the week before polling day Electors who will be away on polling day, have a physical disability, or live in remote areas – Electors who will be away on polling day, have a physical disability or live in remote areas Application: up to 4 hours before close of polls on polling day Ballot: before close of polls on polling day Yukon Any elector who may be away from Yukon on polling day – – – 2:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. on 23rd and 24th days after issue of writs Any elector – Electors who are housebound; unable to vote at advance or regular poll; students in an educational institution in Yukon, but outside electoral district in which they are qualified to vote and their accompanying spouses or dependants; temporarily resident in a transition home Application: before polls open on polling day; if exposure of elector's name or address might put elector at personal risk, by 9:00 p.m. 3 days before polling day Ballot: before 2:00 p.m. on polling day Northwest Territories – – As established by returning officer – 12:00 noon – 8:00 p.m. on 11th day before polling day Electors whose names are on official list of electors in advance polling districts; or if not on list, who take oath and show proof of identity – Electors unable to vote on polling day Electors who are imprisoned in a correctional institution Application: by 5:00 p.m. on 21st day before polling day Ballot: by 5:00 p.m. on 3rd day before polling day Nunavut Any elector who may be absent from his or her constituency and has no other opportunity to vote – As established by returning officer As determined by returning officer on advance polling days Monday, 7th day before polling day, from 12:00 noon to 7:00 p.m. Any voter – Electors unable to vote on polling day Application: available after writ is issued Ballot: prior to 5:00 p.m. Friday, 3rd day before polling day Top of the Page
	Table E.3 Assistance to voters on polling day
	Jurisdiction Assistance to voters Time off for voting Transfer certificates Assistance to vote provided by Template Interpreter Eligibility Deadline Canada Deputy returning officer, friend, relative or designated election officer 3 consecutive hours Candidates; election officers appointed to another polling station; electors with a disability whose polling station does not have level access Application must be received before 10:00 p.m. on the Friday immediately before polling day Newfoundland and Labrador Deputy returning officer or friend – 4 consecutive hours – – Prince Edward Island Deputy returning officer or friend – – Not less than 1 hour – – Nova Scotia Deputy returning officer or friend (not legislated) 3 consecutive hours Candidates, agents; deputy returning officers, poll clerks, election clerks; electors with a physical disability Certificate must be issued before 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, the 3rd day before polling day New Brunswick Friend – 3 consecutive hours Scrutineers, candidates; deputy returning officers, poll clerks; electors with a physical disability Certificate must be issued between close of nominations and opening of polls on polling day Quebec Spouse, relative or another person, in presence of deputy returning officer and poll clerk (only for sign language) 4 consecutive hours – – Ontario Deputy returning officer or friend 3 consecutive hours Change of address, restricted mobility, proxy voters; deputy returning officers, poll clerks; scrutineers – Manitoba Deputy returning officer or friend 3 consecutive hours – – Saskatchewan Deputy returning officer or friend 3 consecutive hours – – Alberta Deputy returning officer in presence of poll clerk; friend, in the case of blind voter 3 consecutive hours – – British Columbia Election official or individual accompanying voter – 4 consecutive hours – – Yukon Deputy returning officer – 4 consecutive hours – – Northwest Territories Deputy returning officer, friend or relative – 3 consecutive hours – – Nunavut Deputy returning officer, in presence of poll clerk, friend or relative – 2 consecutive hours – – Top of the Page
	Table E.4 Addition of votes
	Jurisdiction Official addition Judicial recount In case of a tie Place Time Automatic recount required when When error is suspected, may be requested by Time limits Deposit when requested Appeal of a judicial recount By-election Returning officer casts a ballot Canada Office of returning officer Stated in notice of election Difference between first 2 candidates is less than 1/1000 of votes cast Elector Request must be made within 4 days after results are validated; judge must fix a date within 4 days of request $250 – – Newfoundland and Labrador At place fixed for official addition of the polls 3rd day after polling day There is a tie or difference between first 2 candidates is 10 votes or less Elector or candidate Chief Electoral Officer must apply within 7 days of official addition of votes; electors or candidates, within 10 days of addition of votes by returning officer $100 – – Prince Edward Island Office of returning officer 10:00 a.m. on Monday, 7th day after polling day – Candidate Request must be made within 4 days of official addition; judge must fix a time and place within 6 days of request $200 – – Nova Scotia Office of returning officer 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, 2nd day after polling day There is a tie or difference between first 2 candidates is less than 10 votes Candidate or candidate's official agent Request must be made within 4 days of official addition; judge must fix a time and place within 2 days of request $100 – – 1 New Brunswick Fixed by proclamation Fixed by proclamation – Elector Request must be made within 4 days of official addition; judge must fix a time and place within 4 days of request $200 – – Quebec Office of returning officer 9:00 a.m. on day following polling day There is a tie or a majority of less than one-thousandth of the votes cast Any person Request must be made within 4 days of addition of votes; recount must begin within 4 days of request – – – Ontario Stated in notice of poll Stated in notice of poll Difference between first 2 candidates is less than 25 votes Elector or candidate Request must be made within 4 days of official addition; recount must be within 10 days of request $200 A party to a recount may appeal decision, in writing, within 2 days of recount – Manitoba – After receiving all ballot boxes after polling day and after notice to candidate Difference between first 2 candidates is not more than 50 votes Elector or candidate Request must be made within 8 days of official addition – A party to a recount may appeal the decision, in writing, within 5 days – Saskatchewan Fixed by proclamation Fixed by proclamation Difference between first 2 candidates is less than total number of all unopened ballot envelopes, rejected ballots, and ballots objected to Candidate or candidate's business manager • Request to returning officer must be made within 4 days of official addition; judge must fix a time and place not less than 10 days after request • Application to a judge must be made within 10 days after candidate has been declared elected; judge must fix a time that is not less than 10 days after application $300 • Any party to a recount may file written appeal within 5 days; cross appeal may be filed within 5 days of appeal • On filing of cross appeal or 10 days after recount, Chief Justice must make an order to direct delivery of evidence to designated judge of Court of Appeal and to fix a time for the hearing, no later than 10 days after the order – Alberta Fixed by proclamation Fixed by proclamation – Candidate or candidate's official agent Request must be made within 8 days of announcement of official count $300 A party to a recount may appeal decision within 2 days of receiving notice of decision concerning recount – British Columbia Office of district electoral officer Not before 13th day after polling day Difference between first 2 candidates is less than 1/500 of total ballots Elector, candidate, candidate's representative, or district electoral officer Request must be made within 6 days of official addition – A candidate may appeal decision within 2 days of recount – – Yukon Fixed by proclamation 10:00 a.m. on day fixed by proclamation There is a tie or difference between first 2 candidates is 10 votes or less Any person Request must be made prior to end of 6th day after official addition; judge must fix a day and time within 4 days of request $200 – – –2 Northwest Territories Fixed by proclamation Fixed by proclamation There is a tie or difference between first 2 candidates is less than 2% of total number of votes cast Elector Request must be made within 8 days of official addition; judge must fix a date and time within 10 days of request $250 A party to a recount may appeal decision within 8 days of recount – Nunavut – Immediately after close of polls The difference between first two candidates is nil or less than 2% of total votes cast in constituency Elector Request must be made within 8 days of official addition; judge must fix a date and time within 10 days of request $250 A party to a recount may appeal decision within 8 days of recount – 1 Returning officer must draw a lot in the presence of the election clerk, the candidates or their agents (if none present, then in the presence of two electors) and the judge who conducted the recount. 2 Returning officer must draw lots in the presence of a judge and any candidate or agent. 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