Polling Place Suitability Checklist

Elections Canada works hard to make voting accessible to all eligible electors. Prior to an election, returning officers in each federal electoral district must find polling places that provide level access, in addition to other accessibility features.

Returning officers use the Polling Place Suitability Checklist, formerly known as the Accessibility Checklist, to evaluate the accessibility of potential polling places. The Checklist contains 37 accessibility criteria, 15 of which are mandatory. This means a site must meet these 15 criteria, at a minimum, to be considered accessible. The Checklist also evaluates security and technology requirements at polling places.

During an event, the voter information card (VIC) and the online Voter Information Service indicate the accessibility of the advance and ordinary polling places. If a polling place is not accessible, an elector may be issued a Transfer Certificate to allow them to vote at a more accessible polling place in their electoral district. For more information, please contact your local Elections Canada office.

Electors also have other ways to vote:

• At any local EC office across the country. The nearest location can be found by using the Voter Information Service on the Elections Canada website.
• By mail, using a special ballot. Electors apply for this service once the election is called. For more information, please visit the Ways to Vote section.

For additional accommodations, please contact your local Elections Canada office to learn what options are available.

Polling Place Suitability Checklist (mandatory criteria in red)

Public transit

1. Public transit stop near the polling place? (Yes/No)

Parking

2. Parking available? (Yes/No)
3. Number of available parking spaces on the property:
4. Parking space(s) for persons with disabilities? (Yes/No)
5. Surface of parking firm and level? (Yes/No)
6. Parking lit? (Yes/No)
7. Pathway from parking lot to the entrance? (Yes/No)

Building exterior

8. Sloping sidewalk (curb cut)? (Yes/No)
9. [Mandatory accessibility criterion] Surface of the pathway is firm and obstacle-free? (Yes/No)
10. [Mandatory accessibility criterion] Pathway is at least 920 mm (36") wide? (Yes/No)
    At the narrowest point the pathway measures (mm):
11. Pathway is free of a long slope? (Yes/No)
12. Pathway is free of a steep incline? (Yes/No)
13. [Mandatory accessibility criterion] Building provides a level access to the entrance? (no steps) (Yes/No)
14. Level access ramp is provided? (Yes/No)
15. If there is a level access ramp, it provides:
    • Handrail? (Yes/No)
    • Non-slip surface? (Yes/No)
    • Clear width of 920 mm (36")? (Yes/No)
    • What is the width of the ramp (mm)?
    • A slope of no more than 4.80°? (Yes/No)
    • Indicate the steepest result: (# of degrees)
16. [Mandatory accessibility criterion] Exterior building lighting? (Yes/No)
17. [Mandatory accessibility criterion] Building exterior is free of any protruding objects? (Yes/No)
18. There is signage to locate the level access entrance? (Yes/No)

Building entrance

19. [Mandatory accessibility criterion] Exterior door has a clear opening width of 810 mm (32")? (Yes/No)
    Opening width of this door measures (mm):
20. Door handles are easy to grip? (Yes/No)
21. [Mandatory accessibility criterion] Door threshold meets maximum standard of 6 mm (1/4")? (Yes/No)
22. An automatic door opening device is provided (Yes/No)
23. [Mandatory accessibility criterion] Weight of the entrance door allows it to be easily opened? (Yes/No)
24. Door gives immediate access to the voting room? (Yes/No)

If yes, go to question 30.

Building interior

25. [Mandatory accessibility criterion] Interior door(s) has a clear opening width of 810 mm (32")? (Yes/No)
    Interior door opening width measurements (mm):
26. Door handles are easy to grip? (Yes/No)
27. Automatic door opening devices are provided for interior doors? (Yes/No)
28. [Mandatory accessibility criterion] Weight of interior doors allows them to be easily opened? (Yes/No)
29. [Mandatory accessibility criterion] Door threshold meets maximum standard of 6 mm (1/4")? (Yes/No)
30. [Mandatory accessibility criterion] Corridors have a minimum width of 920 mm (36")? (Yes/No)
    Minimum width of the corridor(s) measures (mm):
31. [Mandatory accessibility criterion] Interior of the building is free of any protruding objects? (Yes/No)
32. [Mandatory accessibility criterion] Voting room is on the same level as the entrance? (Yes/No)
33. If no, electors can access the voting room using an elevator or a level access ramp? (Yes/No)
34. If use of an elevator is required, is a key necessary to operate it? (Yes/No)
    If yes, who is the contact person for the key?
35. If electors must use a ramp to access the voting room, this ramp provides:
    • Handrail? (Yes/No)
    • Non-slip surface? (Yes/No)
    • Clear width of 920 mm (36")? (Yes/No)
    • What is the width of the ramp (mm):
    • A slope of no more than 4.80°? (Yes/No)
    • Indicate the steepest result: (# of degrees)
36. [Mandatory accessibility criterion] Interior lighting works? (Yes/No)
37. Wheelchair accessible washroom (Yes/No)
    Are there any grab bars? (Yes/No)

Overall evaluation

38. Does this site meet all the mandatory accessibility criteria? (Yes/No)
39. If not, is it possible to modify the site so that it will meet all the mandatory criteria? (Yes/No)

Was the evaluation done on site? (Yes/No)

If yes, when (mm/dd/yy):

By whom: