Didn’t register to vote? You can still do so on election day

With the Canadian federal election just around the corner, many Canadians may be wondering how they can cast their ballot if they haven’t yet registered to vote. The good news is that it’s not too late — Elections Canada allows voters to register on election day at their polling station.

Matthew McKenna, a spokesperson for Elections Canada, reassured Canadians that the registration process on voting day is simple and seamless. “You can do it right then and there before you vote, so people don’t need to worry if they haven’t got their registration in early,” McKenna told CBC News.

If you’re unsure of where to go to register and vote, you can easily find your polling station by entering your postal code on the Elections Canada website. Alternatively, you can call Elections Canada at 1-800-463-6868 for assistance.

On voting day, all you need to do to register is prove your identity and that you live in the riding. Government-issued ID with your address and photo, such as a driver’s license, is typically sufficient. However, if you don’t have ID with your current address, other forms of ID like a health card, library card, student card, or employee ID are accepted. You may also need to provide additional proof of address, such as a lease agreement or utility bill.

If you’re unable to provide all the required documentation, you can still register and vote by having someone vouch for you. Any registered voter in your riding, such as a family member, neighbour, friend, or co-worker, can vouch for you as long as they can prove their identity and address.

Polling stations will be open for 12 hours on election day, but the specific time depends on the time zone you live in. Employers are required by law to give their workers a three-hour window to vote, although they may not necessarily have to give you three hours off work. If you make a mistake on your ballot, you can exchange it for another one.

When marking your ballot, you can use any writing utensil of your choice as long as your intention is clear. Whether it’s an X, a checkmark, or even a happy face, as long as it’s evident who you’re voting for, your ballot will be counted.

So, if you haven’t registered to vote yet, don’t worry — you can still participate in the upcoming election by registering on voting day at your polling station. It’s important to exercise your democratic right and have your voice heard in shaping the future of Canada.