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Training material

Descriptive text of "Overview of Roles" video

The video begins:

The first shot shows the poll clerk and the deputy returning officer talking together at their table on which there is a ballot box.

"My name is Yvonne and I'm a deputy returning officer. My name is Dustin and I'm a poll clerk. We work side by side and the table we work at is known as a polling station."

The next shot shows again the poll clerk and the deputy returning officer and an elector approaching the deputy returning officer. The elector shows her voter information card to the deputy returning officer who hands it to the poll clerk, who then starts looking up the elector's name on the list of electors. The deputy returning officer asks the elector to show proof of identity that she then checks. The poll clerk gives the elector back her Voter Identification Card and the deputy returning officer hands her her identification documents as well as a ballot and directs her to the voting screen.

"When electors arrive at my station, I ask them to speak their name and address out loud and to show me acceptable proof of ID. I check their ID and confirm they are eligible to vote before I give them a ballot and direct them to the voting screen."

The next shot shows the elector returning to the deputy returning officer after having voted. The deputy returning officer checks the ballot, gives it back to the elector who then puts it in the ballot box.

"When they return from the voting screen, I make sure the ballot is the same one I issued and ask them to put it in the ballot box."

The next shot shows four electors standing in front of the table in no particular order. The deputy returning officer motions to them to stand in line in front of her. The fourth elector is standing in front of the poll clerk.

"I make sure all electors at my polling station vote in an orderly fashion."

The next shot shows two electors appearing before the deputy returning officer. The first elector hands her a certificate and the deputy returning officer administers an oath to the elector.

"I approve certificates prepared by registration officers and, in some cases, administer oaths to electors." 

The next shot shows two candidates' representatives seated against the wall not far from the poll clerk and the deputy returning officer. The latter is speaking with the representatives.

"I also make sure candidates and their representatives follow the guidelines."

The next shot shows the poll clerk, the deputy returning officer and across from them a candidate's representative. The deputy returning officer who is counting ballots takes a ballot from the ones strewn on the table, checks it and shows it to the poll clerk and the representative. She then places the ballot on a pile she has on her desk.

"After the polls close on election night, I count the ballots…"

The next shot shows the deputy returning officer holding a sheet of paper and reporting the results by phone. The scene fades to white and transitions to the next scene.

"…and I report the results to the central poll supervisor or to the office."

The next shot shows the deputy returning officer and the poll clerk seated at their table and an elector standing in front of them. The deputy returning officer shows the proof of ID to the poll clerk who makes a note of something on paper. He then looks for the elector's name on the list of electors and the deputy returning hands the elector her proof of ID. 

"My main responsibility is to assist the deputy returning officer and to record what happens at my polling station."  

The next shot shows the poll clerk and the deputy returning officer and an elector arriving with her voter information card in hand. The deputy returning officer checks the proof of ID handed to her by the elector and the poll clerk finds her name on the list of electors while the deputy returning officer tears off a ballot. 

"When electors arrive at my station, I find their name on the list and confirm to the DRO that they are eligible to vote."

The next shot is a close up of the poll clerk's hands. He puts a ruler under a name on the list in front of him and marks a line through the name with a pen.

"If they are eligible, I cross their name off the list."

The next shot shows the poll clerk and the deputy returning officer and an elector who hands a registration certificate to the deputy returning officer.  The following phrases appear on the screen: "Information on the list is correct" and "Their name isn't crossed off ." A blue square is drawn around the registration certificate and the elector hands the deputy returning officer her proof of ID who then shows it to the poll clerk.

"Being eligible means their information on the list is correct, their name isn't already crossed off or they have a registration certificate if they are not on the list."

The next shot shows the poll clerk and the deputy returning officer and an elector at their table with her voter information card in hand. The deputy returning officer tears off the counterfoil and puts it a plastic bag. The poll clerk ticks a box on the list and then circles a number on another form. The deputy returning officer indicates with a hand motion to the elector where she should deposit her voter information card .

"I mark them as having voted after their ballot is dropped into the ballot box."

The next shot shows a close-up of the poll clerk's hands signing the bottom of a form. The next shot after that shows a candidate's representative seated against the wall and the information officer arriving in front of the poll clerk who is seated next to the deputy returning officer. The poll clerk hands the information officer forms indicating the electors who have voted.

"On election day, at 60 minute intervals, I hand out forms with information on who voted to the information officer."

The next shot shows the deputy returning officer counting ballot stubs and the poll clerk filling out forms.

"I make sure to fill out all required forms completely and properly. My job is very important because it gives Elections Canada an overview of the voting process at my polling station after the election."

The next shot shows the deputy returning officer counting ballots, showing one ballot to the poll clerk and then to the candidate's representative sitting across from her with a clipboard on his lap.

"After the polls close on election night, I record the results for the DRO."

The next shot shows the poll clerk and the deputy returning officer at their table and an elector who is reporting a problem. The poll clerk then directs her to the central poll supervisor. The shot fades to white and then transitions to the next scene.

"If anyone comes to us with a concern, we direct them to our central poll supervisor, Gerry."

The next shot shows the poll clerk and the deputy returning officer at their table and the central poll supervisor speaking with them.

"I'm Gerry, the central poll supervisor and I oversee this polling place. Part of my job is to make sure Yvonne and Dustin carry out procedures properly and follow the steps in their guidebooks."





Descriptive text of "Serve Electors" video

The video begins:

The first scene shows the deputy returning officer and the poll clerk talking, seated at their desk. As an elector approaches, the deputy returning officer greets the elector, takes her Voter Information Card and gives it to the poll clerk. The deputy returning officer then asks the elector to show proof of ID.

"When an elector arrives at the polling station, the deputy returning officer greets the elector by saying "Hello, Bonjour", asks for the elector's name and address and for proof of identity and address."

The next shot shows the poll clerk consulting the list of electors. The scene becomes blurry and the statement "Finds the elector's name and sequence number on the list of electors" appears on the screen. The text disappears and is replaced by a graphic of a Voter Information Card. A blue highlighted box shows the information that the poll clerk checks for on the list of electors.

"The poll clerk finds the elector's name and sequence number on the list of electors.

The Voter Information Card can help find the elector on the list faster."

The next shot again shows the poll clerk consulting the list of electors. The text "On the list", "Information is correct" and "Name isn't crossed off" appears on the screen. He then crosses the elector's name off the list with a pen. The poll clerk then returns the Voter Information Card to the elector.

"If the elector is on the list, the information is correct and the name isn't crossed off, the poll clerk says the elector's sequence number out loud for the benefit of any candidate representatives present and draws a line through the elector's name on the list."

The next shot shows the deputy returning officer consulting with the poll clerk, and then returning ID documents to the elector.

"Meanwhile, the deputy returning officer checks that the elector's proof of identity and address is acceptable."

The next shot shows a deputy returning officer issuing a ballot. She folds it twice, leaves the counterfoil exposed, tears it off the stub and gives it to the elector. She then points to the voting screen behind.

"If the ID is acceptable, the deputy returning officer issues a ballot. She folds the ballot twice, tears off the ballot, gives it to the elector and instructs the elector to go behind the voting screen…"

The next shot shows an elector behind the voting screen. A ballot appears on the screen, with a black X in the white circle beside the first of two names of candidates.

"…Mark the circle for a candidate, and Return the ballot to them folded the same way."

The next shot shows deputy returning officer and the poll clerk seated at their desk. The elector returns from behind the voting screen with her folded ballot in hand. The elector hands her ballot to the deputy returning officer who checks her initials on the back of the ballot. The shot pauses to show a laser beam linking the DRO's eyes and the back of the ballot. Without unfolding it, she checks the counterfoil number against the stub which is highlighted by a blue box, removes the counterfoil, tears it up and puts it in a plastic bag. The deputy returning officer then returns the folded ballot to the elector who puts it into the ballot box.

"When the elector returns with the ballot, the deputy returning officer

  • Checks their initials on the back of the ballot
  • Checks the counterfoil number against the stub
  • Removes the counterfoil, tears it up and puts it in the small plastic bag and returns the ballot back to the elector who then puts it into the ballot box."

The next shot shows the poll clerk at his desk. A shot of the ballot box is overlaid in the top left corner of the screen with the elector's hand dropping a folded ballot into it. The ballot box then disappears and the poll clerk ticks the voted box on the list and circles the elector's sequence number on the Statement of Electors Who Voted on Polling Day.

"After the ballot is put into the ballot box, the poll clerk

  • Ticks the voted box on the list of elector's and
  • Circles the elector's sequence number on the Statement of Electors Who Voted on Polling Day."

The next shot shows the deputy returning officer pointing to where the elector can drop her Voter Information Card. The deputy returning officer then closes the bag containing torn counterfoils. The final shot shows the deputy returning officer and poll clerk thanking the elector.

"Ask electors with a Voter Information Card to drop it into the collection box on their way out".





Descriptive text of "Tasks" video

The video begins:

We move through the scene to show the polling site where the registration officer seated at his desk is serving an elector; another elector waits behind her. To the right of the table stands the central poll supervisor and further away two candidates' representatives are seated. At the back of the room, the poll clerk and the deputy returning officer seated at their table are serving an elector.

"Here are a few things you must do during the day to help keep your polling station running smoothly and to make your job easier".

A title page appears showing the word « TRAFFIC ».

The next scene shows an elector standing in front of the poll clerk and deputy returning officer's table. After voting, she turns to leave and strikes a conversation with the elector behind her. The deputy returning officer repeatedly interrupts the conversation and asks the elector who already voted to leave.

"Politely ask electors at your polling station to wait behind the line and ask those who already voted to leave. This helps control foot traffic and protects the privacy of personal information".

A title page appears showing the words "BALLOT BOX"

The next scene shows two candidates' representatives sitting next to the poll clerk and deputy returning officer at their table. The deputy returning officer gets up and leaves while the poll clerk greets an elector and asks him to wait behind the line drawn on the floor.

 "Make sure the ballot box stays on the table until the polling station closes. One of you must be with it at all times and both of you must be present to serve electors".

A title page appears showing the words "VOTING SCREEN AND PARTISAN MATERIAL"

The next scene shows the deputy returning officer behind the voting screen checking for partisan material, then coming out from behind the screen and picking up a partisan flyer off the floor. The flyer briefly overlays the screen. Also seen are the information officer standing at the entrance and the registration officer at his desk serving an elector.

"Stay sharp like the voting pencil! Check the room and behind the voting screen often for any partisan material. If you find any, remove it".

A title page appears showing the word "BALANCING"

The next scene shows the poll clerk and the deputy returning officer counting the ballots. The balancing tables for ordinary and advance polls from the guidebook scroll as an overlay. Then the poll clerk and the deputy returning officer are shown balancing the ballots at their table.

"Use the table in your guidebook to make sure all your ballots are accounted for. This helps avoid issues with counting ballots on election night."

The scene continues and shows the poll clerk and the deputy returning officer at their table and the two candidates' representatives seated nearby. All seems quiet and the poll clerk and deputy returning officer continue balancing the ballots.

"Do this often throughout the day when no electors are waiting in line."

The Notice to Deputy Returning Officer briefly overlays the screen. The officers check through documents to resolve a problem. The deputy returning officer then smiles and claps her hands. The poll clerk makes a hand gesture to show that the problem is solved and that all ballots are accounted for.

"And make sure your ballots add up to the number you started with on the Notice to Deputy Returning Officer.

If it doesn't match, try to the find the error or the missing ballot as soon as possible.

Remember: Completing these tasks is a required part of your job – and it also makes it easier!"





Descriptive text of "Other Situations" video

The video begins:

The first scene shows the poll clerk and deputy returning officer seated at their table with two electors facing them. The elector on the left, who is attesting to the residence of the elector on the right, signs an Oath of Residence Certificate for that elector. The poll clerk then takes the certificate and records information in the Poll Book while the deputy returning officer prepares a ballot.

"You may come across situations when serving electors that will require a few extra steps to be taken before issuing a ballot."

A title page appears showing the word "CERTIFICATES".

"Part of the registration officer's job is to pre-fill certificates."

The next scene shows the registration officer seated at his desk. He is filling out a Registration Certificate for an elector. Voting posters are on the wall behind him.

If there is no registration officer at your polling place, the poll clerk pre-fills the certificates."

The next shot shows the poll clerk and deputy returning officer at their table. The poll clerk fills out a Registration Certificate for an elector on the right while the deputy returning officer looks on.

"The deputy returning officer checks, authorizes and signs all certificates."

The next shot shows the poll clerk handing the completed certificate to the deputy returning officer who checks and signs it.

"The first certificate we will describe is the registration certificate."

The next shot shows a side view of the poll clerk and deputy returning officer at their table. They are checking a Registration Certificate for the elector facing them.

A title page appears showing the words "REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE".

"If the name of an elector is not on the list..."

The next shot again shows the poll clerk and deputy returning officer at their table. The elector facing them gives a piece of ID to the deputy returning officer. At the same time, the poll clerk looks for the elector's name on the list. He shakes his head and points to the list indicating that the elector is not on the list. The screen freezes and blurs.

"..or it is crossed off with a code, M- , T- , or R, the elector is not registered."

An image of the Official List of Electors appears. A blue frame appears over the code "M minus" at the left of an elector's name while a white overlay with the letter "M minus" slides in from the left. A blue frame then appears over the code "T minus" at the left of another elector's name while a white overlay with the letter "T minus" slides in from the left. Finally, a blue frame appears over the code "R" at the left of yet another elector's name while a white overlay with the letter "R" slides in from the left. The image of the list then disappears.

"A Registration Certificate must be filled out before the elector can receive a ballot."

The next scene returns to the poll clerk and deputy returning officer at their table. The poll clerk informs the elector that he must fill out a Registration Certificate. The elector nods in agreement. The poll clerk fills out a certificate.

A title page appears showing the words "CORRECTION CERTIFICATE".

"If the information on the list is different from the information on the electors ID…"

The next shot again shows the poll clerk and deputy returning officer at their table with a different elector facing them. They are checking the list against the elector's proof of ID. They look up at the elector. The screen freezes and blurs.

"…or if the name is already crossed off with the code S or X or if the poll clerk already crossed the name off by accident… "

Another image of the Official List of Electors appears. A blue frame appears over the code "S" at the left of an elector's name while a white overlay with the letter "S" slides in from the left.  A blue frame then appears over the code "X" at the left of another elector's name while a white overlay with the letter "X" slides in from the left. Finally, a blue frame appears over another elector's name that has already been crossed off.

"…a Correction Certificate must be filled out before the elector can receive a ballot."

The next shot shows the poll clerk filling out a certificate for the elector while the deputy returning officer checks his proof of ID. The poll clerk then puts the completed certificate into an envelope while the deputy returning officer gives the elector a ballot. The elector walks toward the voting screen in the background.

A title page appears showing the words "OATH OF RESIDENCE CERTIFICATE".

"If an Elector does not have proof of address, but is accompanied by another elector who knows him, and is willing to attest to his address, an Oath of Residence Certificate must be filled out before the elector can receive a ballot."

"Remember, the steps on how to fill out these certificates are all in your guidebook."

The next shot again shows the deputy returning officer and poll clerk at their table with two electors facing them. They are checking an Oath of Residence Certificate. The poll clerk asks the elector on the left for proof of ID, which he promptly hands over. The two officers compare the ID with the information on the certificate. The poll clerk then returns the ID to the elector. The deputy returning officer then discusses something with the elector on the right while pointing at the Book of Oaths.

A title page appears showing the word "OATHS" appears.

"Correction Certificates, Oath of Residence Certificates and other situations require an elector to take an oath, before being allowed to vote."

The next shot returns to the deputy returning officer and poll clerk at their table with two electors facing them. The deputy returning officer is reading something from the Book of Oaths to the elector on the right whose residence is being attested to by the elector on the left.

"Only the deputy returning officer can administer an oath. In some cases, the election officer reads the oath out loud to the elector, who then replies with a spoken affirmation."

The next shot again shows the poll clerk and deputy returning officer at their table. While the poll clerk looks on, the deputy returning officer reads an oath from the Book of Oaths to an elector. The elector nods in agreement.

"In other cases, the elector signs a written oath."

The next shot returns to the poll clerk and deputy returning officer at their table, with two electors facing them. The elector on the right signs the certificate.

"All of the oaths can be found in the deputy returning officer's Book of Oaths."

The next shot again shows the deputy returning officer reading an oath to the elector on the right. A blue frame briefly appears on the Book of Oaths.

"The elector's information and the action or oaths taken, must be recorded in the Poll Book, or, for advance polls, in the Record of Votes Cast at the Advance Polling Station."

The next shot shows the poll clerk recording information in the Poll Book while the deputy returning officer fills out a certificate and prepares a ballot. The screen freezes and blurs.

"The Poll Book and the Record of Votes Cast at the Advance Polling Station are journals of all situations that arise involving the voting process at your polling station."

The next shot shows images of the Poll Book and the Record of Votes Cast at the Advance Polling Station. The images appear only for a few seconds.

Make sure you fill them out completely, properly and neatly, they could be reviewed by a judge."

The next shot shows the poll clerk filling out a form while the deputy returning officer reads from the Book of Oaths. An elector is off screen, standing to the right.

"Remember, if you are confused on how to deal with a situation, turn to your guidebook, the answer should be there."

The next shot again shows the poll clerk and deputy returning officer at their table with a different elector facing them. The poll clerk seems puzzled. He raises a finger as if to say "One second please" and consults his guidebook while the deputy returning officer looks on.

"In some cases, a situation can only be addressed by your central poll supervisor. When in doubt, or if you cannot find what you need, ask the central poll supervisor for help."

The next shot returns to the poll clerk and deputy returning officer at their table. The central poll supervisor at the right is talking to the deputy returning officer. The poll clerk raises his arm to get her attention and asks her a question. She replies while pointing to the desk.





Descriptive text of "Counting the Ballots and Closing (ordinary polls)" video

The video begins:

The main title ‘Counting the ballots and closing' appears and transitions to a stationary scene of the Poll Clerk and the Deputy Returning Officer standing behind their desk and a candidate's representative is seated across from them at their right. The ballot box is upright on the table and to the right of the Deputy Returning Officer; the voting screen is open and rests on a separate table behind the poll clerk to the left.

"There are four main phases when counting the ballots on election night."

The title ‘Compter les bulletins de vote et ' appears and transitions to an animation of four manila envelopes displayed side by side, with two forms displayed below them.

"Pre-fill envelopes and forms. This will speed things up and get you home faster."

Handwriting appears on all the empty envelopes and forms which write the mock electoral district ‘Dominion Youville', the date and polling station number ‘101'. A call-out shows a zoomed in view of a candidate's name being written on the tally sheet. The pre-filled envelopes and forms slide off the screen.

The next scene transition shows the top of the Deputy Returning Officer and Poll Clerk desk. From left to right, materials used during polling day appear counter-clockwise. It is the table layout for organizing materials for preparing to count the ballots found in the Deputy Returning Officer and Poll Clerk guidebook.

"Organize supplies on your table. You will be tired after a long day. An uncluttered table will help you in the end."

The transition to the next animation scene slides over top of the first from left to right. The animation shows a Notice to Deputy Returning Officer sheet and a Poll Book in the background. The foreground shows a two-armed balancing scale, the left arm tilts down as the left pan fills with folded ballots. When the right-hand pan fills with folded ballots, the scale balances. Both the left pan and right pan of the two-armed balancing scale are outlined, an equal sign appears between them.

"Balance your ballots to find out if there are any missing or to correct any errors. Remember, you need to end up with the same number you started with."

The Notice to Deputy Returning Officer sheet and Poll Book disappear upwards and the two-armed balancing scale falls backwards. A graphic of the Poll Book rises from the ground, centered in the middle of the frame before falling backwards and disappearing. A graphic of the Statement of the Vote rises from the ground, centered in the middle of the frame and then it also falls backwards disappearing.

"Write elector counts on the lists and in the Poll Book. Write the number of unused and spoiled ballots on the Statement of the Vote."

The next scene shows the polling station again. Both the Poll Clerk and the Deputy Returning Officer stand behind their table. There is a candidate representative sitting in the chair across from the table, when suddenly, he disappears.

Both the Poll Clerk and the Deputy Returning Officer show dismay as they notice his disappearance. The Poll Clerk knows just what to do and quickly waves over a smiling man and woman who step into the frame.

"If no candidates or representatives are present, try to find 2 electors or elections officials to witness the count."

The transition to the next animation scene slides over top of the first from left to right. The clock shows that it is not yet time to close the polling station and the ‘open' sign is displayed prominently underneath it. The Poll Clerk and the Deputy Returning Officer are sitting at their table counting ballots and the ballot box is open and on it's side. To the right of the table, an elector is waiting to cast his ballot looking unimpressed, then a large red X overlays the frame. Transition to an animated courtroom shows a judge pounding his gavel on a sounding block.

"Remember — you can't count ballots before the polls close in your electoral district on election night. It's against the law!"

The title ‘Counting ballots' appears and transitions to the polling station where the Deputy Returning Officer and Poll Clerk are seated at the voting desk. There are two candidate representatives present, each seated at either side of the desk. The Deputy Returning Officer picks up a folded ballot from the pile in front of her, inspects the back of the ballot and nods as she recognizes her initials. She then opens the ballot and reads out loud the name of the candidate voted for. She shows the open ballot to both candidate representatives as proof, and they nod. She then shows the opened ballot to the Poll Clerk.

"For each ballot, the deputy returning officer must:

  • Make sure her initials are on the back
  • Say out loud which candidate's name is marked
  • Show it to everyone at the table

The scene replays again and once the Deputy Returning Officer says the candidate's name out loud, the Poll Clerk marks the tally sheet under the name of the candidate just announced.

The Poll Clerk must:

  • Mark the tally sheet each time the Deputy Returning Officer calls out a candidate's name"

Transition to the Poll Book opening to the page where objections are recorded.

  • "Record any objections to ballots from candidates or representatives in the Poll Book."

Transition to the next scene shows the Deputy Returning Officer standing at the voting desk, the Poll Clerk seated to her right and a candidate's representative seated to her left. The character of the Deputy Returning Officer begins to glow.
"Remember:

  • Only the deputy returning officer can handle ballots and decide to accept or reject a ballot."

The scene blurs and dims as the word ‘FINAL' appears in red, spanning the entire frame.

  • The Deputy Returning Officer's decision is final."

The next shot shows the Samples of marked ballots sheet slowly enlarging on a blue background.

"Refer to Samples of marked ballots when you're not sure if you should accept or reject a ballot"

Transition back to animation of polling station, the Deputy Returning Officer stands at the voting desk with the Poll Clerk seated to her right and two candidate representatives seated on both sides of the desk. The ballots have been separated into piles for their respective candidate; a pile has been created off to the side, designated as rejected ballots.

"Make separate piles for accepted ballots for each candidate and for rejected ballots."

The transition to the next animation scene slides over top of the first from left to right. Ballots fall from the top to the bottom of the screen. Numbers from zero to fifty appear one at a time on the screen. A tally sheet overlays the screen, followed by an envelope at the bottom of the screen into which the ballots fall.

" The Deputy Returning Officer then counts the ballots in each pile, compares each total to the tally sheet and puts each pile in a separate envelope."

The transition to the next animation scene slides over top of the first from left to right. The Poll Clerk stands at the left-hand side of the frame. Four manila envelopes with their information are filled out and displayed alongside a filled out Statement of the Vote form. Boxes appear over all areas of the forms and envelopes that contain totals.

"The Poll Clerk writes the totals on all envelopes and on the Statement of the Vote."

The title ‘Recording and reporting results' appears and transitions back to the previous scene of the Poll Clerk standing at the left-hand side of the frame.

A filled out Statement of the Vote form slides into the center of the frame from right to left, boxes outline all the totals on the form. The form slides further to the left to reveal an equal sign, and ballots begin to pile up, one on top of each other. When the ballots stop appearing, the number five-hundred appears over top of the ballots.

"The Poll Clerk fills out all boxes on the Statement of the Vote. Makes sure the totals match and all ballots are accounted for."

The pile of ballots and the number five-hundred zip off the right side of the frame and the Statement of the Vote form slides back to the center, in the process, revealing the four manila envelopes. The Central Poll Supervisor then walks into the frame doing a spot-check with her clipboard, nods approvingly, and the envelopes flip to reveal the back. Official seals adhere themselves to each envelope.

"Ask the Central Poll Supervisor to do a spot check and to give you permission to seal the envelopes that contain ballots."

The Central Poll supervisor retreats out of the frame and the seals remove themselves from the back of each envelope. The Poll Clerk takes out his cell phone to call the office, while the envelopes and Statement of the Vote form shift to the left. The office appears on the left-hand side of the frame, and the RO picks up the ringing phone. The envelopes flip once again to reveal the back, and official seals adhere themselves to each envelope.

"If there is no Central Poll Supervisor, call in the results as directed by the RO and seal envelopes."

The Poll Clerk puts his cell phone away, while the RO office slides out of the frame and the envelopes disappear. An enlarged and completed Copy of Statement of the Vote for Candidates and Representatives form appears next to the Statement of the vote. The Statement of the vote flips up and disappears, while the Copy of the Statement of the Vote for Candidates and Representatives minimizes and duplicates itself into the hands of the Poll Clerk. Two candidate representatives appear and the Poll Clerk extends a copy of the Copy of Statement of the Vote for Candidates and Representatives to them.

"Fill out the Statement of the Vote and give a copy of the results to the candidates or representatives present."

The title ‘Returning materials' appears and transitions to animation showing the poster entitled Organising and Returning Material in 3D from left to right.

"Follow the steps on your poster. Familiarize yourself with it early during the day."

The next animation shows the Deputy Returning Officer standing at the voting desk with the Poll Clerk standing to her right and a candidate's representative seated across from her on the right of the screen. The Central Poll Supervisor approaches, looks around, nods in approval and then signs the poster.

"If there is a Central Poll Supervisor:

  • Do not seal anything before the Central Poll Supervisor checks that everything was put in the right place and signs your poster"

The next animation shows the ballot box centered on the table. All materials to be returned float above the box before jumping into it: pens, pencils, ID badges, rulers, tape, pencil sharpener, seal control sheet, voting template, Tally Sheet, Statement of the Vote and the Envelope for the Yellow Copy of the Statement of the Vote. The Deputy Returning Officer walks in and shows the box and the rest of the materials to the Central Poll Supervisor. When the Central Poll Supervisor disappears, the Deputy Returning Officer takes all the materials and leaves.

  • "Give the Central Poll Supervisor all items to return to the office.
  • If there is no Central Poll Supervisor, return all items to the office as directed."

The next scene is shot outside the polling place. The Deputy Returning Officer puts the closing materials in the trunk of her car.

"Preparing to count ballots, counting ballots, recording and reporting results and returning materials are complex processes and include several steps."

The next scene shows a blue and green background split diagonally and the Deputy Returning Officer and the Poll Clerk appear on the screen. A large blue and green G representing the guidebook and the Organizing and Returning Material poster then cover the background and then disappear.

"Your guidebook and easy to follow posters are the best way to make sure you get them right."





Descriptive text of "Closing and Reopening (mobile polls)" video

The video begins:

The first scene shows silhouettes of buildings in the background. A green car drives by from the left while a town hall, a church and a shop pop up from left to right. A body of water and a bridge separate the foreground from the background.

"Here are the main steps to follow to re-open and close your mobile polling station at each location."

The next scene shows an animation of the inside of a mobile polling station where the deputy returning officer and a poll clerk are standing behind their desk. A clock is at the top left of the frame and the ‘Have your ID ready' poster is at the top right. The ‘Notice of Mobile Poll' slides in from the right and overlays the shot. Time of polling is scheduled in the morning from 8 to 11. The notice slides out of frame and a cell phone appears in its place with a speech bubble containing the Elections Canada logo.

"You must re-open and close your polling station at the times shown on the Notice of Mobile Poll. If you can't, call the office for instructions."

The next shot shows a booklet of ballots in the center of the frame. It flips open then closes. It rotates 90 degrees to the right and drops into an envelope that appears from the bottom of the frame.  The envelope slides out of frame to the bottom.

"Put all unused ballots in their envelope."

The next shot shows a white ballot box with the Elections Canada logo in the middle of the frame. The lid appears on the top of the box. An official seal slides in from the left to seal the lid to the box. The box drops into a transport bag that appears from the bottom of the frame.

"Seal the ballot box slot with an Official Seal and put the ballot box inside the Transport bag."

The next scene shows a judge striking his gavel on a sounding block.

"Remember - you can't open the ballot box or count ballots before the polls close in your electoral district on election night. It's against the law!"

The next shot shows the ‘Have your ID ready' poster that also drops in the transport bag. A purple mobile poll material bag falls into the bag. The transport bag slides off screen to the right. The next scene is shot outside the mobile polling place, where the deputy returning officer and poll clerk jump into a car with the transport bag in hand.

"Take down all signs and posters. Keep all these items as you will need them to set up at the next location. Pack up all other items and go to the next location together."

The next scene is shot outside a different mobile polling station. As the car drives up to the door, the shot is from the inside. The voter registration desk, the accessibility feedback station, chairs, a voting screen, a table and posters are already set up as the shot slides from left to right.

"Once you reach the next location, set up your polling station the same way you did the first time."

The next scene shows a blue background and the deputy returning officer who slides in from the bottom of the frame followed by a brown envelope. A booklet of ballots comes out and the balancing table slides in from the right and to cover it.

"At every new location: the deputy returning officer takes out the unused ballots and balances the ballots."

The next scene shows a green background and the poll clerk who slides in from the bottom of the frame at the right. A Statement of Electors Who Voted on Polling Day grows into the left side of the frame. The first page is removed to reveal a new form.

"The poll clerk starts a new Statement of Electors Who Voted on Polling Day."

The next scene shows a red background with the deputy returning officer standing in front of her table. A ballot box is one end of the table. She removes the seal from the top of the box.

"At the time shown on the Notice of Mobile Poll, the deputy returning officer removes the official seal from the ballot box slot."

The next scene shows a blue and green background split diagonally. The deputy returning officer and poll clerk pop in from the bottom of the frame. A large blue and green letter G, representing the guidebook, appears to the right of the screen.  

"Closing and re-opening at each location are complex processes that involve several steps. Following the steps in your guidebook is the best way to make sure you get it right."





Descriptive text of "Serve Electors (advance polls)" video

The video begins:

The first scene shows the deputy returning officer and the poll clerk talking, seated at their desk. As an elector approaches, the deputy returning officer greets the elector, takes her Voter Information Card and gives it to the poll clerk. The deputy returning officer then asks the elector to show proof of ID.

"When an elector arrives at the polling station, the deputy returning officer greets the elector by saying "Hello, Bonjour", asks for the elector's name and address and for proof of identity and address."

The next shot shows the poll clerk consulting the list of electors. The statement "Finds the elector's name and sequence number on the list of electors" appears on the screen. The text disappears and is replaced by a graphic of a Voter Information Card. A blue highlighted box shows the information that the poll clerk checks for on the list.    

"The poll clerk finds the elector's name and sequence number on the list of electors.

The Voter Information Card can help find the elector on the list faster."

The next shot again shows the poll clerk consulting the list of electors. The text "On the list", "Information is correct" and "Name isn't crossed off" appears on the screen. The text disappears and then the poll clerk says the sequence number out loud. The next shot is a close up of the poll clerk's hand crossing the elector's name off the list.

"If the elector is on the list, the information is correct and the name isn't crossed off, the poll clerk says the elector's sequence number out loud for the benefit of any candidate representatives present and draws a line through the elector's name on the list."

The next shot shows the deputy returning officer returning ID documents to the elector.

"Meanwhile, the deputy returning officer checks that the elector's proof of identity and address is acceptable."

The next shot shows the poll clerk giving the Voter Information Card to the elector while writing the elector's information on the Record of Votes Cast at the Advance Polling Station and then handing the record and a pen to the elector, asking her to sign it.

"If the ID is acceptable, the poll clerk writes the elector's information on the Record of Votes Cast at the Advance Polling Station and asks the elector to sign it. If the elector refuses to sign it, they cannot vote."

The next shot shows the elector signing the record which transitions to the deputy returning officer issuing a ballot. She folds it twice, leaves the counterfoil exposed, tears it off the stub and gives it to the elector. She then points to the voting screen behind.

"Once the record is signed, a ballot can be issued, which must be folded twice. The deputy returning officer tears off the ballot, gives it to the elector and instructs them to go behind the voting screen…"

The next shot shows an elector behind the voting screen. A ballot appears on the screen, with a black X in the white circle beside the first of two names of candidates.

"Mark the circle for a candidate, and return the ballot to them folded the same way"

The next shot shows the deputy returning officer and the poll clerk seated at their desk. The elector returns from behind the voting screen with her folded ballot in hand. The elector hands her ballot to the deputy returning officer who checks her initials on the back of the ballot. The shot pauses to show a laser beam linking the DRO's eyes and the back of the ballot. Without unfolding it, she checks the counterfoil number against the stub which is highlighted by a blue box, removes the counterfoil, tears it up and puts it in a plastic bag. The deputy returning officer then returns the folded ballot to the elector who puts it into the ballot box.

"When the elector returns with the ballot, the deputy returning officer

  • Checks their initials on the back of the ballot
  • Checks the counterfoil number against the stub
  • Removes the counterfoil, tears it up and puts it in the small plastic bag and returns the ballot to the elector who then puts it into the ballot box."

The next shot shows the poll clerk at his desk. A shot of the ballot box is overlaid in the top left corner of the screen with the elector's hand dropping a folded ballot into it. The ballot box then disappears and the poll clerk ticks a box on the record and then write's the elector's ordinary polling division and sequence number on the Statement of Electors Who Voted at the Advance Poll.

"After the ballot is put into the ballot box, the poll clerk

  • Ticks the "voted" box on the record, and
  • Writes the elector's ordinary polling division and sequence number on the Statement of Electors Who Voted at the Advance Poll."

The next shot shows the deputy returning officer pointing to where the elector can drop her Voter Information Card. As the deputy returning officer closes the bag containing torn counterfoils, she thanks the elector.

"Ask electors with a Voter Information Card to drop it into the collection box on their way out".





Descriptive text of "Closing and Reopening Every Day (advance polls)" video

The video begins:

A daily calendar slides up in the frame and a checkmark appears on the front page. The paged flip off the calendar and a sun pops up in the top left corner. The calendar slides down and a moon with three stars replaces the sun.

"Here are the main steps you will go through every day to open and close your advance polling station."

The shot transition to the inside of a mobile polling place. The poll clerk and a deputy returning officer are sitting at the voting desk. Multiple electors are coming and going after they vote. There's a clock in the top left corner with an open sign below it. The clock handles are going in fast motion and stop at 8 o'clock. A hand comes from the left side of the frame and flips the ‘open' sign to ‘close.'

"You must close your polling station every day at 8 p.m. once all electors present have voted."

Transitions to a Record of Votes Cast at the Advance Polling Station with only the table inside visible. A box surrounds each names starting with the first name. Every time the box goes down, a curved arrow appears on the right side and a number counter changes to the number of the row.

"Count the electors who voted on the Record of Votes Cast at the Advance Polling Station."

Transitions to the inside of the polling place. The advance poll book overlays the frame and opens to a blanks page. The word ‘total' appears on the left page with the number ‘11' on the right page.

"Write the total in the poll book. You will need these numbers on election night."

Transitions to an envelope dropping folded ballots from the top of the frame. There's a number counter on the right that starts at 0, and counts up to the number 3 and the shot slides to the right, out of frame.

"Count the number of spoiled ballots in an envelope without unfolding them."

The booklet of ballots grows to the center of the frame and flips open and close. It rotates 90 degrees to the right and drops into an envelope that appears from the bottom of the frame. A yellow copy of the Record of Votes Cast at an Advance Poll slides into the envelope from the top of the frame, followed by a brown booklet of used ballots. The envelope turns around to show the name of the envelope. The shot slides to the right, out of frame.

"Count the number of unused ballots. Put them in their envelope."

A ballot box drops folded ballots from the top of the frame into and envelope at the bottom of the frame. There's a number counter on the right that starts at 0 and counts up to 50. The shot slides to the right, out of frame.

"Count the number of ballots inside the ballot box without unfolding them. Put them in their envelope."

Transition to animation that shows a scale weighing out ballots on each end. A Notice to Deputy Returning Officer appears on the left hand side of the scene, while an Advance Poll Book appears on the right. The scale dips left, then right, until the weights are even. Semi-transparent boxes appear behind each side of the scale adding emphasis to the ballot counting process. The shot slides to the right, out of frame.

"Balance your ballots. Remember - on election night, you need to end up with the same number you started with."

Transitions to a shot where two envelopes appear from left to right. An official seal is placed on each one from left to right and the envelopes pile into the middle of the frame. The envelopes rotate to the right until they are upside down and drop in a ballot box that appears from the bottom of the frame. The lip closes the box and a seal is put on the lid.

"Seal the envelopes with spoiled, unused and cast ballots. Put them in the ballot box and re-seal the box."

Transition to animation that shows a judge hitting his gavel down on a sounding block.

"Remember - you can't unfold marked ballots or count ballots before the polls close in your electoral district on election night. It's against the law!"

Transitions to animation that shows the closing advance polls poster in 3D from left to right.

"Follow the steps on your poster."

The next shot shows the frame split in three. In each section, a green advance secure box appears on a voting desk and the box opens with the materials bouncing inside. The number 1, 2, and 3 appear at the top of each section.

"On the first three nights, assemble a secure box to keep important items like the list of electors and the Poll Book safe until the next day."

Transition to a white advance ballot box on a table. An Advance Poll Secure Bag, a Seal Control Sheet, an Alphabetical List of Electors by Polling Site and a Bag of Counterfoils float over the box and drop in the box. The box's lid appears on the box.

"On the fourth night, these items go directly into the ballot box."

Transitions to a purple and pink sunburst with the central poll supervisor on the left of the frame. The closing advance polls poster slides in from the right.

"Remember - do not seal anything before your central poll supervisor checks that everything was put in the right place and signs your poster."

The Registration and/or Correction Certificates envelope slide into the frame and bounces. The following items go inside the envelope: Record of Votes Cast (EC 50080) (white copies), Registration Certificate (EC 50050), Correction Certificate (EC 50051), Statement of Electors Who Voted at the Advance Poll (EC 50109).

"Make sure you give these items to the central poll supervisor every night or return them to the office as instructed. Registration and/or Correction Certificates Envelope that includes all certificates filled out."

Transition to the oath of residence certificates envelope. It slides to the bottom of the frame and certificates slide in.

"Oath of Residence Certificates Envelope that includes all certificates filled out."

Both envelopes slide to the left of the frame with the Oath of Residence Certificates Envelope on top. The returning officer who is in another office bounces on his chair, behind a desk in his office, in the left of the frame.

"The office needs these to update the list of electors for election day and give information on who voted to candidates and political parties"

The next animated scene is outside the polling place. The deputy returning officer is walking down a few stairs with an advance transport bag towards a parked car. The trunk door opens and she throws the boxes in. The shot splits and multiplies into four sections with 1, 2, 3, 4 written on top of each section.

"Every night, the deputy returning officer brings the secure box, the ballot boxes and any other items home for safekeeping until the next day. By the last day, there will be four ballot boxes to keep safe until election night."

Transition to inside the polling place where the deputy returning officer walks in and puts the advance transport bag on the polling station. The transport bag disappears. She opens the secure box, empties the content and throws the secure box in the recycling bin. Another ballot box appears in its place.

"Every day, the deputy returning officer brings everything back to the polling place, takes everything out of the secure box, throws the empty box away and assembles a new ballot box."

Transition to inside the polling place where the poll clerk is sitting by himself at the voting desk. The Statement of Electors Who Voted at the Advance Poll and a Record of Votes Cast at the Advance Polling Station slide up to overlay the frame.

"Every day, the poll clerk starts a new Statement of Electors Who Voted at the Advance Poll and a new Record of Votes Cast at the Advance Polling Station."

Transition to a ballot box opening. A giant red X overlays the frame.

"Remember – never re-open a ballot box from a previous day."

The next scene shows a blue and green background split diagonally and the deputy returning officer and the poll clerk pop in from the bottom of the frame. The guidebook and the closing poster slide in and cover the background and then slide out the frame.

"Closing every night and re-opening every day are complex processes that involve several steps. Your guidebook and easy to follow posters are the best way to make sure you get them right."