How to vote early in the federal election

CTV’s Colton Wiens walks us through several different ways you can vote in the upcoming federal election, including how to cast an early ballot.

Voter information cards are arriving in mailboxes across the country ahead of Canada’s federal election.

“All the information cards in the regions have been mailed, and they should be received or should have been received,” Nathalie de Montigny, Media Relations with Elections Canada, said.

Anyone who is experiencing issues can register to vote or update their information before April 22. Electors may also register at their assigned polling station if they vote on election day.

Beyond voting on election day, there are several ways people can cast a ballot early.

Advance polling is available this long weekend. Electors can go to their assigned polling stations starting Friday through Monday.

“In order to vote, you need to be a Canadian citizen. You need to be 18 years old and over. You need to be registered. If you receive a voter information card, that means that you’re registered,” de Montigny said.

Voters can also cast a ballot by mail but must apply for it before April 22 at 6 p.m. A special package will be sent to their address. The forms within the package can be filled out and returned by mail. If returning by mail, Elections Canada said voters must make sure the package is returned to Ottawa before April 28 at 6 p.m.

“It’s not when you’re putting it in the mailbox, it’s when it needs to be received. If you want your vote to be counted, make sure you allow enough time [for the ballot] to be returned to Ottawa. There’s a preaddressed prepaid envelope, it is your responsibility that it is returned by April 28th at 6 p.m.,” de Montigny said.

Registered voters can also go to any of the 500 Elections Canada offices across the country and cast a special ballot any time before April 22 at 6 p.m.

“If you’re traveling by business, by pleasure, you can go. You’ll vote by special ballot. You just need to prove you know who you are and where you live, and you’ll be able to vote by special ballot,” de Montigny said.

Anyone requiring special assistance to vote can get help from their local elections office. Long-term care facilities offer voting options for residents. Elections Canada is also running 109 ‘Vote on Campus’ offices at universities and colleges across the country until April 16.

Any Canadian citizens living abroad are also eligible to vote if they are at least 18 years old and previously lived in the country. Those voters must register with the International Register of Electors to receive a voting kit.

But as residents have more time and options for voting than ever, retired political science professor with the University of Waterloo Peter Woolstencroft, said voter turnout keeps getting worse and he thinks the number of options is a detriment to voter turnout.

“I read an American article which said the easier it is to vote, the more likely the turnout drops, because you don’t have that coming together of all the forces on Election Day. Get out to vote, get out, get out to vote. It’s all dissipated,” Woolstencroft said.

Woolstencroft said with the ongoing tariffs and affordability challenges in Canada, there may be higher voting numbers this time, but he feels campaigning is no longer locally strong and voters don’t want to show their political stripes.

“I think most people tell me not many people knock on their doors. I can remember when we wanted to have our canvassers knock on the same door three times in a five or six-week election campaign. If all the parties are doing that, it’s arousing interest. That’s identifying your potential vote. Then, my goodness, on Election Day, you do your best to get people out to vote. I think that has atrophied,” Woolstencroft said.

“I just don’t think that’s happening very much these days. People don’t want to identify themselves as whatever. And if you’re not identified as a whatever, then nobody’s calling you on Election Day to get out and vote,” Woolstencroft added.