Now that the polls are open, you may be wondering what to do first.
Spokesperson for Elections Canada Francoise Enguehard says you should have received a voter card in the mail, “Refer to that card, because it tells you exactly where your polling station is and it also tells you what to bring for ID. If you received a voter information card then you know you are a registered elector.”
Be sure to bring your registration card, plus a second piece of ID that can prove who you are.
“The voter information card is not an ID. It allows you to prove your address, but you still have to prove your identity. You will still need to show your drivers license, a utility card, student ID card or something else with your name on it,” Enguehard says.
If you did not receive a card in the mail, perhaps because you are a new voter or you have recently moved, you should go to elections.ca, to look up your polling station using your postal code.
“The first thing you will see is a place to type your postal code, and it will tell you where to vote. You may also want to check while you are on the site, to ensure you are on the voters list,” Enguehard says.
You can also print a registration certificate to take with you when you go to vote, which will help make the process smoother and faster.
If you are homeless, you are still able to vote. You can do so, by getting a letter of confirmation from a soup kitchen or shelter along with a piece of ID.
If you are a first-time voter, Enguehard explained what to expect when you arrive at your polling station, “Once you are registered, you will be handed a ballot, and you will be directed behind a screen, where you will make your choice. You will mark an X next to the candidate you want to vote for. You will fold your ballot and give it to the person at the table. They will then return it, and you will put your vote in the box.”
You must only choose one candidate, and do not make any other marks on your ballot,
“If you start drawing on it, putting happy faces on all of the other candidates, it will not be clear who you voted for. If there are other markings, your ballot can be spoiled,” Enguehard says.
If you were hoping to take a record of your vote with a selfie, this is a complete no-no. It is against the Elections Act, “You cannot take a picture of your ballot, you can’t make a copy of your ballot and you can’t show your marked ballot. We do not allow any photos taken inside of the polling area,” Enguehard says.
Polling stations are open from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
#DYK that on election night we continuously update our website with the latest results as they come in from the 338 ridings across the country? For more info: https://t.co/3PYy87rszC pic.twitter.com/vJ6aGLwLbS
— Elections Canada (@ElectionsCan_E) October 20, 2019
