From Susan Munroe,
Your Guide to Canada Online.
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The National Register of Electors is a database of basic information on Canadians who are qualified to vote in federal elections in Canada. The information consists of name, sex, date of birth, and address. The National Register of Electors is used to prepare the preliminary list of electors for federal elections.

Information for the National Register is received from:

• individual qualified electors
• the Canada Revenue Agency
• Citizenship and Immigration Canada
• provincial and territory registrars of motor vehicles and vital statistics
• provincial electoral offices with permanent lists of electors.

Returning officers update the preliminary lists during the revision period of an election. The revision period starts three days after an election writ is issued and ends six days before the election.

Eligible Canadians can vote from outside Canada by applying to register and vote by mail.