Info
Voting Operations
VO003
Electors vote at
Question: Where can electors vote?
Answer(s):
a . At a specified polling station in the locality where they are registered at national elections d . At specially designated polling stations e . At mobile polling stations f . By mail
Comments: Currently, electors can vote at the advance polls (3 days) and at a polling station on election day. In addition, the Special Voting Rules provisions of the Canada Elections Act provide specific provisions for voting by using a special mail-in ballot. Any elector can request to vote by mail, a system that is systematically used for electors voting from abroad. Electors can also vote using the Special Voting Rules provisions by visiting the office of the returning officer in their electoral district, at any time during a campaign up to the end of the sixth day preceding the election.
Source: "Voting from Abroad: The International IDEA Handbook", (2007) (http://www.idea.int/publications/voting_from_abroad/upload/Voting_from_abroad.pdf)
The Canada Elections Act (2015), Part 9 (Voting), Part 10 (Advance Polling) & Part 11
http://laws.justice.gc.ca/PDF/E-2.01.pdf
Verified: 2025/03/28
VO004
Voting outside the country is permitted for
Question: Who can vote from outside the country?
Answer(s):
b . Citizens residing outside the country c . Citizens outside the country (including those on vacation) d . Members of the armed forces e . Students f . Diplomatic staff
Comments: Any eligible voter who is travelling or residing outside the country during an election may vote by special mail-in ballot under the Special Voting Rules, as long as his or her absence from the country does not exceed five consecutive years. The ballots may be delivered to a Canadian mission in time for delivery to Elections Canada by 6:00 p.m. polling day, or sent directly to Elections Canada in Ottawa for 6:00 p.m. polling day.
Source: "Voting from Abroad: The International IDEA Handbook", (2007) (http://www.idea.int/publications/voting_from_abroad/upload/Voting_from_abroad.pdf)
The Canada Elections Act, Part 9 (Voting), Part 10 (Advance Polling) & Part 11
http://laws.justice.gc.ca/PDF/E-2.01.pdf
Verified: 2025/03/28
VO005
Locations for voting outside of the country
Question: If voting outside the country is permitted, at what places?
Answer(s):
a . Embassies b . Consulates e . By mail f . Other
Comments: Voting kits may be ordered from, and delivered to embassies, consulates and high missions or to any other address provided, and returned from any location around the world, as long as they reach Elections Canada’s headquarters in Ottawa by 6:00 p.m. on election day.
Source: "Voting from Abroad: The International IDEA Handbook", (2007) (http://www.idea.int/publications/voting_from_abroad/upload/Voting_from_abroad.pdf)
Electoral Law: Canada Elections Act, Part 9 (Voting)& Part 11
http://laws.justice.gc.ca/PDF/E-2.01.pdf
Verified: 2025/03/28
VO011
Voting method
Question: How do electors cast their votes?
Answer(s):
a . Manually marking of ballots
Comments: Two types of paper ballots are used: the regular one used on polling day lists the candidates and their affiliation) and the Special ballot (on which electors need to write the name of the candidate they vote for) used for the purpose of the Special Voting Rules.
Source: Elections Canada: Glossary (http://www.elections.ca/content.asp?section=gen&document=index&dir=glo&lang=e&anchor=b&textonly=false#b)
The Canada Elections Act, Part 8 Art. 115
http://laws.justice.gc.ca/PDF/E-2.01.pdf
Verified: 2025/03/28
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