First Time Voters – Here are some resources for you

The next federal election is Monday, September 20, 2021. Canadians will vote to elect a Prime Minister of Canada and members of parliament for different regions, including Peterborough-Kawartha and Northumberland-Peterborough South.

Why Does It Matter?

As a Canadian Citizen, voting in federal, provincial, and municipal elections is your right. Voting will let you have a say in the direction Canada goes on a number of important issues and topics including immigration, income taxes and benefits, climate change, COVID-19 response, diversity, housing, and more. You will have a say in who becomes the Prime Minister of Canada and who will be your local member of parliament.

Who can vote?

To vote, you must:

• be a Canadian citizen
• be at least 18 years old on election day (September 20)
• prove your identity and address

How do I cast my vote?

There are several ways you can vote: 

• On election day (Sept 20) at your assigned polling location
• On advance polling days (Sept 10 – 13) at your assigned polling station
• Vote by mail with a special ballot – apply by Sept 14 here
• At any Elections Canada office before September 14 at 6pm

To find the option that works best for you, please visit the Elections Canada: Ways to Vote page.

Where do I vote?

You must vote at your assigned polling location. Your polling location is determined by your address. You will receive a letter in the mail that lets you know where your polling station is. You can also find your voting location by entering your address on the Elections Canada website. 

What do I need to bring?

When you show up to vote, you will need to show proof of your identity and address.

You can do this by showing:

• one piece of government-issued ID with your photo, name and current address, or 
• two pieces of ID that have your name and at least one with your current address (these can include bills and electronic statements). 
• If you don’t have ID with your current address you can have someone who is eligible to vote in the riding “vouch” for you at the polls. 

To learn about your options and list of all accepted identification, please visit the Elections Canada: Identification to Vote page.

Here are some useful printable handout sheets from Elections Canada:

• What ID Do I Need To Bring?
• How to Find The List of Candidates Running in Your Riding
• Voters Checklist
  

Elections Canada provides voting information in 16 Indigenous languages and more than 30 other languages. If you are looking for translated materials, please visit Elections Canada: Guide to the Federal Election or list of Voter ID.

First Time Voters Information Session – September 15 at 1:30pm