We had a great questions submitted to us this weekend. This student wanted to know if it is possible to vote in their 'home' riding while away in Peterborough. Here is what Elections Canada's website has to say about the issue: "If you live in two places – one while at school, the other while away from school – choose which one you consider home and use that address to register. You vote for a candidate in the riding where your home address is located. If you have moved or will be voting for the first time, you may not be correctly registered. Check, update or complete your registration now."
What we want to make really clear is this: unlike the municipality elections last year, you are only allowed to vote in one riding. Students are able to vote in their hometown's riding, as long as that is the address they use to register to vote. One benefit to registering in your home riding? There is a really good chance that you have your parents' address listed on your drivers licence, which makes proving your residency and ID at the polls much easier. Once you register to vote, you have a few options to complete the process of voting while you are away in Peterborough.
1.) If your riding is nearby, you can vote on Election Day (October 19th) in your home riding. Election day is a Monday and polls are only open for 12 hours, so if you have classes all day, assignments due, or tests you may want to choose one of the options below.
2.) Vote at one of the 400 Elections Canada offices. By voting by filling out special ballot, you can visit anyone of the 400 Elections Canada offices across Canada and vote anytime "before the deadline of Tuesday, October 13 at 6:00 p.m. (local time). Offices are open Monday to Friday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m." Voter ID regulations still apply, so be sure to "[b]ring your proof of identity and address."
3.) Vote By Mail. You may vote in a special ballot by mail "If you will be travelling outside your riding, or if you find it more convenient." You must apply in advance to vote by mail (the deadline is Tuesday, October 13 at 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time) and the special ballot MUST be returned by October 19th at 6pm Eastern Time (or if it goes to your local Elections Canada office, by the time your polls close).
4.) Voting in Advance polls. This is probably the most straight forward option. All it requires is that you be in your local riding any day from October 9th to October 12th. These polls are open from Noon (12pm) to 8pm each day. Your voter information card will contain the location of advanced polls, so be sure to register to vote as soon as possible!
Have a question? Contact us via Facebook, or through our website!
What we want to make really clear is this: unlike the municipality elections last year, you are only allowed to vote in one riding. Students are able to vote in their hometown's riding, as long as that is the address they use to register to vote. One benefit to registering in your home riding? There is a really good chance that you have your parents' address listed on your drivers licence, which makes proving your residency and ID at the polls much easier. Once you register to vote, you have a few options to complete the process of voting while you are away in Peterborough.
1.) If your riding is nearby, you can vote on Election Day (October 19th) in your home riding. Election day is a Monday and polls are only open for 12 hours, so if you have classes all day, assignments due, or tests you may want to choose one of the options below.
2.) Vote at one of the 400 Elections Canada offices. By voting by filling out special ballot, you can visit anyone of the 400 Elections Canada offices across Canada and vote anytime "before the deadline of Tuesday, October 13 at 6:00 p.m. (local time). Offices are open Monday to Friday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m." Voter ID regulations still apply, so be sure to "[b]ring your proof of identity and address."
3.) Vote By Mail. You may vote in a special ballot by mail "If you will be travelling outside your riding, or if you find it more convenient." You must apply in advance to vote by mail (the deadline is Tuesday, October 13 at 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time) and the special ballot MUST be returned by October 19th at 6pm Eastern Time (or if it goes to your local Elections Canada office, by the time your polls close).
4.) Voting in Advance polls. This is probably the most straight forward option. All it requires is that you be in your local riding any day from October 9th to October 12th. These polls are open from Noon (12pm) to 8pm each day. Your voter information card will contain the location of advanced polls, so be sure to register to vote as soon as possible!
Have a question? Contact us via Facebook, or through our website!