A four-day advance voting period will start on Friday, April 18 ahead of Canada’s federal election set for April 28.
Canadian citizens that will be at least 18 years old on election day can vote at an assigned polling station on Friday, April 18 to Monday, April 21 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
To locate your advance polling station, voters can visit Elections Canada’s website or consult their voter information card. Registered voters should have received their voter information card in the mail by April 11, according to Elections Canada.
Acceptable ID
Voters will be required to prove their identity and address, which includes showing one piece of acceptable ID at the voting location. A driver’s license or any other card issued by the Canadian government which includes your photo, name and current address will suffice.
Voters can also show two pieces of ID to vote that both include your name with at least one displaying your current address. Accepted examples include your voter information card and bank statement, or a utility bill and student ID card.
A full list of accepted forms of ID under this option can be seen on Elections Canada’s website.
Voters can still cast a ballot without ID on election day if you declare your identity and address in writing and are accompanied by someone to vouch for you who is assigned to your polling station, according to Elections Canada.
Voting took place at the U of M’s Fort Garry campus in UMSU University Centre from April 13-16. The initiative was part of Elections Canada’s cross-country Vote on Campus program. Data from the 2021 federal election shows that voters aged 18 to 24 had the lowest voter turnout compared to all other age groups. Photo by Milan Lukes
Other ways to vote early
Voters can also cast their ballot early at any of the nearly 500 Elections Canada offices across Canada by April 22 at 6 p.m.
Elections Canada offices are open each day of the week, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and from noon until 4 p.m. on Sundays.
Eight Elections Canada offices are situated in Winnipeg, with the closest one to the U of M Fort Garry campus being located at 134 Plaza Drive. The closest Elections Canada office to the Bannatyne campus is at Portage Place, 393 Portage Avenue.
Voters can also vote early by mail, but must apply by April 22 at 6 p.m. on Elections Canada’s website or by contacting an Elections Canada office. Once you apply to vote via mail, you cannot change your mind and vote at an advance polling station or on election day.
Citizens voting by mail or at an Elections Canada office will be required to write-in the candidate’s name.
Registering to vote
To vote in federal elections, Canadians are required to be registered on the list of electors with Elections Canada.
If you are already registered to vote, you should have received a voter information card in the mail. You can register online or when you go to vote at a voting location by proving your identity and address.
For more information on voting in Canada’s federal election, visit elections.ca.
