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Registration Officer Guidebook

Helping electors

This section tells you what to do when an elector needs further assistance

I think the elector might need help

  1. Ask them if there is anything you can do to help
  2. Listen carefully to what they say and be patient
  3. Do your best to assist them

Elector has a disability

You are legally required to accommodate electors with disabilities and to serve them in a way that respects their dignity.

Face the elector and speak calmly. If they have a hearing impairment, your natural facial expressions, gestures and body movements will help them understand.

Lip reading

If an elector is deaf or reads lips, it may help them if you remove your mask for a short period. Keep at least a 2 metre distance between you and the elector. Wear your face shield or stand behind a screen, if you have one. Talk calmly, so that they can read your lips. Do not shout as it will not help, and may cause air droplets to spread further.

Large-grip pencils

Make sure that any electors that need to use the large grip pencils, have one. Collect it after it is used. If you run short of clean unused large-grip pencils, you can disinfect them for reuse.

Cell phones or assistive devices

Electors are allowed to use their cellphone behind the voting screen as an assistive tool to help them vote. If an app is used to take a photo of the ballot, ask them to make sure the photo is deleted after they have voted.

Service animals

Service animals are allowed inside the polling place where local law permits.

If the elector considers the animal to be a service animal, treat it as a service animal at the polling place. You do not need to know if the animal is trained or if the person has a disability.

Service animals are working animals and should not be disturbed unless there is good reason to do so.

Some service animals, like dogs, might make noise or bark in order to assist the person. Do not disturb service animals when they make noise, unless the noise is excessive.

If conflict arises, contact CPS for them to try and resolve it to the satisfaction of everyone involved and to complete an Incident Report EC 10051.

Tools for electors who need extra help

Some electors may need extra tools to vote independently.

This tool is at every table, including yours:

  • EC 50140 Welcome to Your Polling Place Card — can be used to explain the voting process

The CPS also has these tools:

  • Magnifier — used to magnify and illuminate a document so the elector can see it better
  • Braille list of candidates — for electors who can read braille (at ordinary polls only)
  • EC 50170 Voting Template — used to hold the ballot in place and to help electors feel where to mark the ballot
  • EC 78645 Signature Guide — used to help sign documents in the correct location

The DRO also has this tool:

  • EC 50174 List of Candidates in Large Print — printed in a larger format for electors with a visual impairment
  • Large pencil for voting — some electors may find this large wooden pencil easier to use

Elector wants to be served in French

Electors have the right to be served in the official language of their choice. You are provided with tools to do so

  1. Say “Un moment s’il vous plaît,” and ask the CPS if there is someone who is bilingual who can help

  2. If there isn't someone who is bilingual, give the elector Bienvenue à votre lieu de vote EC 50140

    Note the card explains the voting process. You can point to the steps as you do them

  3. If the elector is having difficulty, the CPS can call 1-800-463-6868 and ask for interpretation services

The elector wants help from an interpreter

An elector might need someone to translate the instructions of an election officer. Translation can be between English and French, or to any other language, including sign language.

Serve the elector following the regular process while the interpreter translates instructions for the elector.

Anyone interpreting and who is not an election officer must first make a declaration by completing a Helper Form EC 50036

Elector wants help to mark a ballot

The helper should ask the elector what kind of help they want. They may help with any of the following:

  • bringing the elector behind the screen
  • quietly reading out the names of the candidates and asking them which candidate they want to vote for
  • marking the ballot for the elector
  • folding the ballot for them
  • helpers who are not an election officer must first make a declaration by completing a Helper Form EC 50036