The Evolution of the Duties to be Fulfilled by Poll Staff with Regards to Registration and Voting on Polling Day and Advance Polling Days, 1920 to 2012
APPENDIX 3: Duties of deputy returning officers,
poll clerks and registration officers in 2012*
Officer | Duty or Power | Sections of the Canada Elections Act |
---|---|---|
DRO | Receive from RO ballot papers, material for marking ballots, templates, copies of CEO's instructions, list of electors, ballot box, envelopes, supplies, etc. | 119(1) |
DRO | Safekeeping of material received from RO | 119(2) |
DRO | Receive from candidates' representatives written authorizations for acting as such | 135(2) |
DRO | Administer oath of secrecy to candidates' representatives | 135(4) |
DRO | Before opening of polling station, publicly initial all ballot papers | 138(1) |
DRO | If requested, before poll is opened, count all ballot papers intended to be used | 139 |
DRO | At opening of poll, open ballot box and ascertain it is empty in front of attendants, seal box and put it on table | 140 |
DRO | Call electors to vote | 141 |
DRO | Ensure that every elector is admitted into polling station and is not disturbed in or near polling station | 142(1) |
DRO | May direct that not more than one elector for each voting compartment may enter the room where voting is held | 142(2) |
DRO and PC | Have each elector, upon arriving at polling station, state his or her name and address | 143(1) |
PC | Ascertain that each elector is on the list of electors or is entitled to vote under ss. 146 to 149 | 143(2) |
DRO and PC | Receive from each elector proof of identity | 143(2) |
DRO | Administer oath to voter with no ID and to elector with ID who vouches for such elector | 143(3) |
DRO and PC | May require elector, if there is reasonable doubt as to residence of elector, to be sworn in | 143(3.2) |
DRO | Advise oath taker of voter qualification and of penalties for violating Canada Elections Act | 143.1 |
DRO and PC | May require elector, if there is reasonable doubt as to voter's qualification, to be sworn in | 144 |
DRO | Administer oath to such voter | 144 |
DRO | Administer oath to voter in case of a mistake in the relevant entry of list of electors | 146 |
DRO | Administer oath to person requesting to vote after another person has already voted under that name | 147 |
DRO | Administer oath to elector who claims that his or her name has been crossed off list of electors under subsection 176(2) or (3) | 148 |
DRO | Refuse ballot to elector who refuses to take prescribed oaths | 148.1 |
DRO | Receive transfer certificates from voters | 149(a) |
DRO | Ascertain with the RO that elector is listed on preliminary list of electors or was registered during revision period | 149(b) |
DRO | Receive registration certificates from voters | 149(c) |
DRO | Hand ballot paper to qualified elector | 150(1) |
DRO | Explain to each elector how to indicate his or her choice | 150(2) |
DRO | Fold the ballot so that its serial number and the initials of the DRO are visible | 150(2) |
DRO | Direct the elector to return the marked and folded ballot | 150(2) |
DRO | On receiving ballot from voter, verify that it is the same one that was handed to the elector by examining serial number and initials on it | 151(2)(a) |
DRO | Remove and destroy the counterfoil in full view of the elector and all other persons present | 151(2)(b) |
DRO | Return the ballot to elector to deposit in the ballot box or, at elector's request, deposit it in the ballot box | 151(1)(c) |
DRO | Mark inadvertently handled ballot as spoiled, place it in envelope and give elector another ballot | 152(1) |
DRO | Allow qualified elector who is in polling station or in line at the door at close of polls to vote | 153(2) |
DRO and PC | Assist electors who cannot read or who have a disability | 154(1) |
DRO | Provide a template to electors who have visual impairments | 154(2) |
DRO | Administer oath to person who wishes to assist an elector in marking ballot | 155(3) |
DRO | May appoint and swear an interpreter (language or sign language) to assist with communicating information to elector | 156 |
DRO and PC | At polling station in seniors' residences or long-term care facilities, carry box, ballots, etc. to bedridden electors | 157(1) |
DRO | Give bedridden electors assistance necessary to enable them to vote | 157(2) |
DRO | Receive from RO transfer certificates delivered to elector whose name is on the list of electors for polling station | 160(e) |
RegO | Receive applications for polling day registration made at registration desk | 161(2)(a) |
DRO | If so authorized by CEO, receive applications for polling day registration made at polling station | 161(2)(b) |
RegO and DRO | Check whether applicant satisfies requirements for polling day registration (ID) | 161(4) |
RegO and DRO | Complete registration certificate authorizing elector registered on polling day to vote | 161(4) |
RegO and DRO | Administer oath to such elector and to elector vouching for such elector | 161(1)(b) |
RegO and DRO | Advise oath taker of the qualifications for electors | 161.1 |
DRO | Direct poll clerk to enter information in prescribed form | 162(a) |
PC | Enter information in prescribed form as directed by DRO | 162(a) |
PC | Indicate, beside the name of the elector on the list of electors, that elector has voted | 162(b) |
PC | Indicate on prescribed form that elector has voted under a transfer certificate and give number of certificate | 162(c) |
PC | Indicate on prescribed form that elector has voted, under para. 149(b), without his or her name being on official list of electors | 162(d) |
PC | Indicate on prescribed form that elector has voted under s. 146 | 162(e) |
PC | Indicate on prescribed form that elector has taken an oath, and the type of oath | 162(f) |
PC | Indicate on prescribed form that elector refused to provide ID referred to in para. 143(2)(a) or (b), or to take an oath | 162(g) |
PC | Indicate on prescribed form that elector has been allowed to vote under s. 148.1(2) | 162(h) |
PC | Indicate on prescribed form that elector has voted under s. 147, and that oaths have been taken | 162(i) |
PC | Indicate also any objection made on behalf of any of the candidates to a person voting under s. 147 and indicate the candidate's name | 162(i) |
PC | Every 30 min., provide to candidate's representative identity of electors who voted on polling day, except voters who registered on that day | 162(i.1) |
PC | After close of advance polls, provide to candidate's representative identity of electors who voted on that day, except electors who registered on that day | 162(i.2) |
PC | Indicate on prescribed form that elector has voted under a registration certificate issued under s. 161(4) | 162(j) |
DRO and PC | Maintain the secrecy of the vote | 163 |
DRO | Draw attention of elector to an offence committed regarding secrecy of the vote and to punishment applicable for such offence | 164(3) |
Officer | Duty or Power | Sections of the Canada Elections Act |
---|---|---|
DRO | Receive applications from electors for registration at an advance poll | 169(1) |
DRO | Ascertain identity and residence of applicants for registration by checking ID | 169(2)(a) |
DRO | Receive applications from electors with no ID who are vouched for by electors with ID | 169(2)(b) |
DRO | Administer oaths to elector with no ID and to elector with ID who vouches for elector | 169(2)(b) |
DRO | If satisfied, complete a registration certificate in prescribed form, to be signed by elector | 169(3) |
PC | Indicate prescribed names of the electors who are permitted to vote under s. 169 | 169(4) |
DRO | Before swearing an elector under s. 169, verbally advise oath taker of the qualifications for electors | 169.1 |
DRO | Ascertain with RO that applicant is listed on preliminary list of electors or was registered during revision period or has obtained certificate under s. 169 | 173(2) |
PC | Indicate on prescribed form that elector whose name does not appear on the revised list of electors has voted in accordance with s. 173(2). | 173(3) |
DRO | Refuse ballot to elector who fails to prove his identity, take an oath or sign the record of votes cast at this station | 174(1) |
PC | Keep a record in duplicate, in prescribed form, of the names of persons who vote at the advance polling station, in the order in which they vote | 174(2) |
PC | Make required notations opposite an elector's name at a polling station on polling day | 174(2)(a) |
PC | Direct elector to sign the record opposite his or her name | 174(2)(b) |
DRO | At opening of advance polls, open ballot box and ascertain it is empty, seal ballot box and place it on table | 175(1) |
DRO | At close of advance polls, unseal and open ballot box | 175(2)(a) |
DRO | Empty ballots cast during that day into an envelope, seal envelope and indicate on it the number of ballots contained | 175(2)(b) |
DRO | Count spoiled ballots, place them in envelope, seal envelope and indicate on it the number of spoiled ballots contained | 175(2)(c) |
DRO | Count unused ballots and number of electors who have voted at the advance polls | 175(2)(d) |
DRO | Place unused ballots and copy of Record of Votes Cast at the Advance Polling Station in envelope | 175(2)(d) |
DRO | Seal envelope and indicate on it number of unused ballots contained and number of electors who have voted | 175(2)(d) |
DRO | Place envelopes in ballot box after required signatures have been made, and seal the ballot box | 175(2)(e) |
DRO and PC | Place signatures on the seals affixed to the envelopes | 175(3) |
DRO | At re-opening of advance polls, unseal and open ballot box, leaving in it sealed envelopes containing spoiled ballots and ballots cast on previous voting days | 175(4)(a) |
DRO | Take out and open envelope containing unused ballots and Record of Votes Cast at the Advance Polling Station | 175(4)(b) |
DRO | Seal ballot box, place it on the table | 175(4)(c) |
DRO | In the intervals between voting hours at advance polls and counting of ballots on polling day, keep sealed ballot box in his or her custody | 175(5) |
DRO | Cross off names of electors who already voted at advance poll | 176(3) |
Officer | Duty or Power | Sections of the Canada Elections Act |
---|---|---|
DRO | Supply a tally sheet to poll clerk and all those present who request one, so they can keep their own count | 283(2) |
DRO | Count number of electors who voted at polling station | 283(3)(a) |
DRO | At end of list of electors, enter number of electors who voted in polling station | 283(3)(a) |
DRO | Sign list of electors and place it in envelope | 283(3)(a) |
DRO | Count spoiled ballots, place them in envelope, indicate on envelope number of spoiled ballots, and seal it | 283(3)(b) |
DRO | Count unused ballots not detached from books of ballots, place them with stubs of used ballots in envelope supplied for the purpose | 283(3)(c) |
DRO | Indicate on envelope number of unused ballots, and seal it | 283(3)(c) |
DRO | Total numbers in order to ascertain that all ballots provided by RO are accounted for | 283(3)(d) |
DRO | Open ballot box and empty its contents onto a table | 283(3)(e) |
DRO | Examine each ballot, show ballot to persons present | 283 (3)(f) |
DRO | Ask poll clerk to make note on tally sheet beside name of candidate for whom vote was cast | 283(3)(f) |
DRO | Reject ballot paper not supplied by him or her | 284(1)(a) |
DRO | Reject ballot paper not marked in the circle at the right of the candidate's name | 284(1)(b) |
DRO | Reject ballot paper marked for a person who is not a candidate (s. 76) | 284(1)(c) |
DRO | Reject ballot paper marked with more than one circle at the right of the candidate's name | 284(1)(d) |
DRO | Reject ballot paper on which there is any writing or mark by which the elector could be identified | 284(1)(e) |
DRO | When ballot found with counterfoil attached, remove and destroy counterfoil while concealing number on it and without examining it | 284(3) |
DRO | Initial and count ballots that were not initialed | 285 |
DRO | Keep record of every objection to a ballot, give a number to the objection, write that number on the ballot and initial it | 286(1) |
DRO | Address every question that is raised by an objection made by a candidate or his or her representatives | 286(2) |
DRO | Prepare a Statement of the Vote, setting out number of votes for each candidate and number of rejected ballots | 287(1) |
DRO | Place original statement and a copy of it in separate envelopes | 287(1) |
DRO | Give a copy of statement of the vote to each of the candidates' representatives present at the count | 287(2) |
DRO | Place ballots for each candidate into separate envelopes, write on each envelope name of candidate and number of votes received, and seal it | 288(1) |
DRO and PC | Sign the seal on each envelope | 288(1) |
DRO | Place into separate envelopes rejected ballots, registration certificates and list of electors, and seal envelopes | 288(2) |
DRO | Seal in a large envelope the envelopes containing marked ballots for candidates, spoiled, unused or rejected ballots, and official list of electors | 288(3)(a) |
DRO | Seal in a large envelope any other election documents, except envelopes containing Statement of the Vote and registration certificates | 288(3)(b) |
DRO | Place large envelope in ballot box | 288(4) |
DRO | Seal ballot box | 288(5) |
DRO and PC | Count the votes cast at advance polls (for advance poll only) | 289(1) |
DRO | Send ballot box, with envelope containing original statement of vote and envelope containing registration certificates, to RO | 290(1) |
DRO = deputy returning officer
ID = identification
PC = poll clerk
RegO = registration officer
RO = returning officer