Elections Canada is making it as easy as possible for Canadians to vote in federal elections. Here are six different methods of casting your ballot in the 2006 Canadian federal election.
1. Vote at a polling station in your riding on election day. The 2006 Canadian federal election is being held Monday, January 23, 2006. All polling stations should have level access for those with disabilities, but check ahead with your returning office to be sure. If your polling station does not have level access, ask how to get a transfer certificate to vote at a nearby polling station that does. To find out where your polling station is, and what hours it will be open, check the Voter Information Card you receive in the mail, or use your postal code to find information for your riding from Elections Canada's Voter Information Service.
2. Vote in the advance polls in your riding. For the 2006 Canadian federal election the advance polls are on Friday January 13, Saturday January 14 and Monday January 16, 2006. Votes will be counted on election night. To find out where the advance polls in your riding are, check the Voter Information Card you receive in the mail, or use your postal code to find information for your riding from Election Canada's Voter Information Service.
3. Vote by special ballot at the office of the returning officer in your riding. You do not have to give a reason. You don't need a Voter Identification Card, but be sure to bring identification to show your identity, name, address and signature. Also be sure you know the name of the candidate you want to vote for, as you might have to write the name on the special one-line blank ballot. You can register to vote by special ballot until Tuesday January 17, 2006 at 6:00 p.m. The ballots themselves can be accepted only until the time the polls close in your riding on election day.
4. Vote by special ballot by mail. Eligible Canadian voters can apply to vote by a special mail-in ballot. You have to fill in an application for registration form for either voting while away from your electoral district or voting by special ballot in your electoral district. In both cases it is important to leave enough time to submit the application for registration, have the voting kit sent to you, and return the voting kit by the appropriate deadline. Contact Elections Canada for the appropriate registration form.
5. Vote using mobile polls. This option is available for those in hospitals and for seniors and people with physical disabilities in residences and institutions. Check with the staff of the residence or institution for details.
6. Vote at home. If you have a physical disability which prevents you from getting to a polling station or the office of your returning officer you can call your returning officer and make arrangements to vote at home in the presence of an election officer and a witness.
