Elections Canada is Coming For You

Students, Staff, Anyone Registered Can Vote on Campuses from Oct. 5 to 8

NewsMichelle Pucci — Published October 5, 2015

Canadian elections are coming up (if you haven’t noticed), and Elections Canada, the body responsible for running them, is bringing voting booths to campuses, community centres and Friendship Centres as part of a pilot project.

For Concordia students and staff, polls will be set up in the John Molson Building atrium downtown and somewhere at Loyola (Elections Canada doesn’t specify, but there will probably be signage?). These polls are only set up from Oct. 5 to 8, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Voters at campus-based polls will have special ballots, which will go towards the candidate in the riding of their home address—which helps if you’re from out of town and aren’t sure what your riding is. (You can search for your riding. )

To vote, you’ll need to prove your existence, with any government ID with your photo, name and address (e.g. provincial or territorial ID card from Alberta, Newfoundland and Labrador, Saskatchewan or the Yukon, or a driver’s licence).

If you don’t drive, don’t worry, you can use two other IDs with your name, but one of them needs your current address. The list of accepted IDs is pretty long, ranging from health care card or passport to a student ID card or credit card statement—but one of them has to have your name and address. A utility bill or lease with your name and address on it could be what you need.

If this is also impossible for you, there’s still a chance. You’ll need any two IDs with only your name on them, and bring someone from your riding who does have a proof of address to a local Elections Canada office, take an oath and have that person vouch for you.

You should register in advance online, to find out if you’re registered/register at a local Elections Canada office, or by mail (call your local office to request the form).

If you can’t register before voting, don’t sweat it, you can register at the polls—but some people will probably give you the stink eye if you’re holding up a line.

If you choose to vote and can’t make it to the campus polls, here are some other ways to do it:

Vote on election day
On Monday, Oct. 19, you’ll need to find the polling stations assigned to the riding you live in—follow all the steps above.

Vote in advance
If you hate lines, this is probably your best bet. Thanksgiving weekend (Oct. 9 through 12), vote at the advance polling place on your registration card, or at any Elections Canada office.

Vote by mail
You’ll need to apply to be able to vote by mail and the deadline is Oct. 13.

Elections Canada has a page dedicated to first-time voters and students.

HOW TO VOTE (A Summary):

1. Learn about the registered parties (there are more than four…).
2. Figure out who’s running in your district.
3. Figure out where you’re voting ( on campus, Elections Canada office or local polling station ).
4. Identify yourself
5. Wait for a ballot and vote for someone. Or don’t.