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Federal election overviewOfficial election information – September 20, 2021 federal election

Federal election overview

Subject:

Federal election overview

Text description:

Elections Canada is the independent, non-partisan agency responsible for ensuring that Canadians can exercise their democratic rights to vote and be a candidate.

  • There are 338 ridings in Canada—you vote for a candidate running in your riding.

Elections Canada informs voters on when, where and the ways to register and vote in a federal election.

Visit elections.ca for the official information on voting and the health and safety measures in place.

Health and safety measures

At your polling station, poll workers will be wearing masks. There will also be:

  • Hand sanitizer stations
  • Clear physical distancing markers
  • Only one poll worker per desk behind a plexiglass barrier

When you go vote, don't forget:

  • Wear a mask.
  • We will provide you with a single-use pencil to mark your ballot, or you can bring your own pen or pencil.
  • Practice physical distancing: stay at least two metres away from voters and poll workers.

If you have tested positive for or have symptoms of COVID-19, or if you have been in contact with someone who has the virus, visit elections.ca to apply to vote by mail.

Who can register and vote?

To register and vote in a federal election, you must:

  • be a Canadian citizen
  • be at least 18 years old on election day
  • prove your identity and address

What is voter registration?

Elections Canada maintains the National Register of Electors.

  • It is a permanent, continually updated database of Canadians who are eligible to vote in federal elections.
  • We use the register to create lists of electors for a federal election.

All registered electors should receive a voter information card in the mail from Elections Canada after the election is called. It tells them where and when they can vote.

Safeguarding personal information

Elections Canada secures Canadians' personal information in the National Register of Electors by using firewalls, data encryption and procedural controls.

How to register

You can register before or when you go to vote.

  1. Register before you go to vote:

    • Online: Visit elections.ca and use the Online Voter Registration Service to register or update your address information.
    • At your local Elections Canada office: Find your local office by using the Voter Information Service at elections.ca or call us at 1-800-463-6868.
  2. Register when you go to vote:

    • At any Elections Canada office across Canada by the Tuesday before election day, 6:00 p.m. Make sure to bring accepted ID.
    • At your assigned polling station on election day or advance polling days. Make sure to bring accepted ID.

Watch for your voter information card

Your voter information card tells you:

  • your assigned polling station for election day and advance polling days
  • where and when you can vote
  • the accessibility of your assigned polling station on election day and advance polling days
  • how to request voting assistance in advance, including language and sign language interpretation
  • the address of the closest Elections Canada office where you can vote by special ballot

Check the name and address on the card

If there are errors, or if you didn't receive a card, visit elections.ca or call 1-800-463-6868 to update your address. You can also update your information, including your name, when you go to vote.

Have your ID ready to vote

You have three options to prove your identity and address:

Option 1:

Show one ID card issued by a Canadian government (federal, provincial/territorial or local) with your photo, name and current address. For example: your driver's licence.

Option 2:

Show two pieces of ID. Both must have your name, and at least one must have your current address. For example: your voter information card and a bank statement, or a utility bill and your student ID card. The complete list of accepted ID is available at elections.ca.

Option 3:

If you don't have ID documents, you can still vote if you declare your identity and address in writing and have someone who knows you and who is assigned to your polling station vouch for you.

The voucher must prove their identity and address. A person can vouch for only one person (except in long-term care facilities).

Voter ID

Helpful tips

  • Elections Canada accepts original ID cards and documents, including
  • e-statements and e-invoices.
  • For documents issued electronically, print them or show them on a mobile device.
  • Your voter information card can be used as proof of address along with another piece of accepted ID showing your name.

Ways you can vote

You can vote almost any time during the election period.

  1. On election day

    Your assigned polling station will be open for 12 hours (hours vary by time zone).

  2. On advance polling days

    Your assigned polling station will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on the Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday the week before election day.

  3. By mail

    Apply at elections.ca by the Tuesday before election day, 6:00 p.m. to receive a special ballot voting kit in the mail.

    • Don't wait—deadlines apply! You need to allow enough time for your voting kit to reach you and for you to return your marked ballot to Elections Canada by election day.
    • Can't apply online? Call us at 1-800-463-6868 or visit any Elections Canada office across Canada.
  4. At any Elections Canada office across Canada

    Go to any Elections Canada office across Canada by the Tuesday before election day, 6:00 p.m.

    You will vote using the special ballot process.

    Once the election is called, visit elections.ca or call us at 1-800-463-6868 or 1-800-361-8935 (TTY) to find the Elections Canada office nearest you.

Other ways to vote

You may be eligible to vote another way, such as at home.

Visit elections.ca or call us for more information.

Where you can vote

If you vote on election day or advance polling days, you will vote at an assigned polling station in your riding.

To find out where your assigned polling station is located:

  • check your voter information card, or
  • visit elections.ca and enter your postal code into the Voter Information Service box

Can't vote at your assigned polling station?

There are other places you can vote. Visit elections.ca or call 1-800-463-6868 or 1-800-361-8935 (TTY) for more information

Accessible polling stations

All electors are assigned a polling station for election day and advance polling days. Make sure your assigned polling station meets your accessibility needs.

  • To find out how accessible it is:
    • check your voter information card
    • visit elections.ca and enter your postal code into the Voter Information Service box, or
    • call us at 1-800-463-6868 or 1-800-361-8935 (TTY)
  • All polling stations will have either an automatic door opener or an election worker at the door to provide assistance.

If your polling station doesn't meet your accessibility needs, or if you need language or sign language interpretation when you go to vote, call us. Deadlines apply.

Voting tools and services on election day

  • Bigger ballot with candidate names in large print
  • Large-print and braille lists of candidates
  • Tactile and braille voting template
  • Magnifiers (4x)
  • Language and sign language interpretation (and other assistance upon request in advance)
  • Assistance marking your ballot (bring someone you know or ask an election worker)
  • Large-grip pencil (limited quantity) You can also bring your own pen or pencil.
  • Signature guides

Note: Braille lists of candidates are only available on polling day. Large print is available on advance polling days and on polling day.

Work at the election

  • Over 200,000 Canadians across the country are hired during an election. Jobs are paid and training is provided.
  • To work in an election, you need to:
    • be a Canadian citizen
    • be at least 16 years old
    • remain non-partisan

Learn more and apply online at elections.ca.

Tell us how we're doing

Your feedback is important to us. Let us know how we're doing by:

  1. Completing a Feedback on Accessibility and Voter Experience form
    • At your voting location
    • At elections.ca/feedback
  2. Speaking with an election worker
  3. Calling us at 1-800-463-6868 or 1-800-361-8935 (TTY)

Spread the word

Help spread the word about the federal election.

  • Share digital tools
    • Infographics, videos and e-versions of print products are available at elections.ca.
    • Get products in multiple languages and formats
    • The Guide to the federal election and the list of accepted ID are available in multiple languages.
    • Voting information is available in other formats, such as audio, braille and DAISY. Call us at 1-800-463-6868 or 1-800-361-8935 (TTY) to order what you need.
  • Social media ul>
  • Follow us on social media and share the official information Canadians need to vote.

Contact Elections Canada

  • Visit elections.ca
  • Call us
    • Tel: 1-800-463-6868
    • TTY: 1-800-361-8935
    • During the election period, we offer language interpretation services by phone.
  • Social media
    • Twitter: Elections Canada @ElectionsCan_E
    • Facebook: ElectionsCanE
    • Instagram: electionscan-e
    • YouTube and LinkedIn: Elections Canada

Elections Canada welcomes Video Relay System (VRS) calls.

elections.ca
#ItsOurVote

Distribution:

field staff, online

Audience:

electors

Date:

federal election 2021


Important!

If you see something that says it's from Elections Canada but is not included here, it may be incorrect information. Please contact us to let us know, or to share any questions or concerns you have.