Can I take a selfie with my marked ballot? Here is what you need to know to vote on election day

Elections Canada signage is pictured near an advance polling station in Ottawa, on Friday, April 18, 2025. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby)

Canadians head to the polls on Monday for the nation’s 45th election.

The only remaining way to vote in this election is at an assigned polling station after advance voting wrapped up last week. The deadline to apply to vote by mail and at an Elections Canada office has passed.

To find your polling station, check you voter information card or use the Elections Canada Voter Information Service. You can still register to vote or update your address at your assigned polling place or online on April 28.

Elections Canada says a record number of people chose vote in advance polls, with an estimated 7.3 million people casting their ballots early. 

The last general election to be held in April was in 1963.

Can I vote in the federal election?

To vote, you must be a Canadian citizen, be at least 18 years old on election day, and be able to prove your identity and address.

You can check if you’re registered to vote online.

When can I vote?

Elections Canada held four advance voting days over the Easter long weekend. The only remaining way to vote is at your assigned polling station.

Polls will be open for 12 hours on election day, although exact times can vary by area.

On the day of the election, voting hours are staggered to allow for the majority of the results to be available at about the same time across the country, according to Elections Canada.

Voting hours (local time):

• Newfoundland Time: 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
• Atlantic Time: 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
• Eastern Time: 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
• Central Time: 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
• Mountain Time: 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
• In Saskatchewan, voting hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., according to Elections Canada
• Pacific Time: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

In ridings that span more than one time zone, one local time for voting will be chosen for the entire district. Correct hours will be listed on voter information cards.

What do I need to vote?

Canadians have several options to prove their identity when heading to the polls on Monday.

Voters can use a driver’s licence or any other card issued by a Canadian government (federal, provincial/territorial or local) with your photo, name and current address.

If you don’t have that, you can also show two pieces of identification to prove your home address and name.

Both forms of identification must have your name and at least one must have your current address.  Examples include a voter information card and bank statement or a utility bill and student ID card.

Other pieces of ID accepted include a blood donor card, credit/debit card, hospital records, a student card or a letter of confirmation of residence in student housing, a long-term care facility or a shelter.

You can find a full list of accepted forms of ID here. If you have moved and need to update your address, you can use Elections Canada’s Online Voter Registration System.

Where can I vote?

You can only vote at your assigned polling place on April 28. You cannot vote at any polling station in the federal election.

To find where your polling station is, you can check your voter information card, enter your postal code into Election Canada’s Voter Information service or call 1-800-463-6868 or 1-800-361-8935 (TTY).

Do I need my voter information card to vote?

You do not need your voter information card to vote but you can use it as a form of identification to prove your address. You must also bring a piece of photo ID to prove your identity.

All voters who are registered should receive their voter information card in the mail.

“Bring your voter information card with you, along with accepted ID, to make the voting process easier,” Elections Canada says on its website.

When is the best time to vote to avoid long lines?

Long lines were seen across the country during the advance voting period on the Easter long weekend.

Elections Canada says the busiest period for voting on election day is the early morning and after 4 p.m.

You might find your polling place to be moderately busy between 10 a.m. and noon, while noon to 4 p.m. is the slowest period.

Can I take a selfie with a marked ballot?

Taking a picture of a marked ballot, regardless of who it belongs to, is illegal under the Canada Elections Act.

It is also illegal to publish a photo of a marked ballot in any way, including on social media.

Can I use a pencil to vote?

Elections Canada says you can use either a pen or pencil to vote in the general election.

Social media posts had circulated claiming voters at advance polls were being required to vote with a pencil to mark their ballot.

Elections Canada says claims that a ballot marked in pencil could be smudged or erased are false.

Poll workers are required by law to provide voters with black-lead pencils, but a pen or some other writing tool would work just as well.

Ballots are only unsealed when it’s time to count the vote on election day.

Where can I see the results?

Live election results and breaking news updates will be available on all platforms at CTVNews.ca, along with in-depth analysis and on-demand video.

The election special will be live-streamed on CTVNews.ca, and the CTV News app and YouTube while Canadians can follow the action and analysis online with live updates and results on CTVNews.ca, capturing up-to-the-minute results and historic moments throughout the night.

CTV Election 2025 will begin at 7 p.m. EDT (4 p.m. PDT)

When will we know the results?

The count will begin after the polls close on Monday. Ballots are counted at the location where voting took place.

While the vast majority of ballots will be counted on election night, some counts may take more time.

Elections Canada says the riding results for Carleton may be delayed due to the number of candidates on the ballot. There are 91 registered candidates running for the seat, the riding held by Conservative Party leader and incumbent Pierre Poilievre.

Elections Canada says there could also be a small increase in service times due to the larger ballot.

Depending on how close the election is, the results could take longer to be reported, but Canadians should know who will form the next government by midnight in most places.

With files from the Canadian Press, CTV’s Josh Pringle and CTVNews.ca