FAQs on the Federal By-Elections on June 19, 2023

When can I vote on election day?

You can vote on election day anytime polls are open in your riding. See the chart below for voting hours in each riding where a by-election is being held.

Ridings and Voting Hours

Riding	Voting Hours (local time)
Notre-Dame-de-Grâce–Westmount	9:30 a.m.–9:30 p.m.
Oxford	9:30 a.m.–9:30 p.m.
Winnipeg South Centre	8:30 a.m.–8:30 p.m.
Portage–Lisgar	8:30 a.m.–8:30 p.m.

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Who can vote in the federal by-elections?

You can vote in the federal by-election in your riding if you:

• are a Canadian citizen
• are at least 18 years old on election day, June 19, 2023
• have been a resident* in the riding in which you are voting since May 15, 2023
• can prove your identity and address

*If you're a Canadian living abroad, incarcerated or a Canadian Forces elector, your Canadian address for voting purposes must be in a riding where a by-election is taking place.

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Where do I vote?

Note: The deadline to apply to vote at your Elections Canada office has passed. If you have not already applied to vote by special ballot, please vote on election day.

You can find your assigned advance and election day polling places using our Voter Information Service. You can also find the address of your local Elections Canada office if you would like to vote there. You have until 6:00 p.m. local time on June 13, if you choose to vote at the office.

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How do I vote?

There are many ways to vote: at your assigned advance or election day polling place, at your local Elections Canada office or by special ballot. Check out the ways to vote for more information on each option. Deadlines apply.

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How do I update my voter information?

You can update your address using the Online Voter Registration Service.

For other changes, including a name change, visit your local Elections Canada office. You will need to bring proof of your address, previous name and current name.

You can also update your voter information at your assigned polling station before you vote on advance polling days or on election day.

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Do I have to wear a mask in the polling place?

No. Masks will be provided to electors, poll workers, candidates and candidates' representatives who would like one.

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Why can't I drop off my special ballot at a polling place on election day?

For the 44th federal general election in 2021 and the federal by-election in Mississauga–Lakeshore in 2022, the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) adapted the Canada Elections Act to give electors who had requested a special ballot the option of dropping off their completed ballot in person at a polling place in their riding, in a ballot box set up specifically for that purpose. The CEO did this because, during the emergency phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for special ballots was unusually high. Given the current public health situation, the CEO has decided that it is no longer necessary to adapt the Act to allow for special ballots to be dropped off at polling places. Electors can return their completed special ballot by mail (deadlines apply) or in person at their local Elections Canada office before polls close on election day.

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Changes to the ballot for the by-election in Winnipeg South Centre

Will the ballot for this by-election look any different from ballots used in other elections?

Yes. Because more candidates than usual are running in this by-election, the ballot will look different from the typical ballot that electors and candidates have seen in past elections.

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What is different about this ballot?

This ballot will be larger than usual and have two columns of candidate names. The names will be listed alphabetically, from the top to the bottom of the left column and continuing down the right column. As always, electors should vote for only one candidate by marking the circle next to their chosen candidate's name. Electors can learn more about the changes to the ballot in the Winnipeg South Centre by-election here: Adaptations to ensure that the names of all candidates can appear on the ballot.

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How many candidates are running in this by-election?

There are 48 confirmed candidates for the by-election in Winnipeg South Centre.

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Is this the longest ballot ever used in a federal election?

The ballot for the by-election in Winnipeg South Centre lists more candidates (48) than on any other ballot for a single riding in a federal general election or by-election. Previously, the largest number of candidates on a single ballot was 40, in a by-election in the riding of Mississauga–Lakeshore in 2022.

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What should I do if I need help with the ballot?

If you think you will need help, because of a disability or for any other reason, you can contact the Elections Canada office in Winnipeg South Centre to discuss your needs.

Election workers would be happy to help you at the polls, or you can bring a support person. Alternatively, you can also apply to vote by special ballot. You can do so at the Elections Canada office in Winnipeg South Centre, or you can apply online or by mail or fax. The deadline to apply to vote by special ballot is Tuesday, June 13, 2023, 6:00 p.m.

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What accessibility tools will be in place for electors who need help marking their ballot?

• A large-print list of candidates will be available at every polling place on advance polling days and election day.
• Magnifiers and large-grip pencils will also be available.
• The braille template has been modified to fit the two-column ballot. Unlike in past elections, the template will be available only on election day.
• The braille list of candidates will also be available on election day.

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Can someone help me mark my ballot when I go to vote?

Yes, you can bring a support person (such as a family member, friend, personal support worker or intervener) to help you vote. To protect the secrecy of your vote, we will ask this person to make a solemn declaration before you vote.

An election worker can also assist you if you need help marking your ballot. We always have a second election worker present to act as a witness.

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Related document

• More information on the by-elections