Many Ways to Vote in Federal Elections – Find Out How!

2025 is an Election year! Election day is set for April 28, and you may be wondering how you can exercise your democratic right as a Canadian with a disability. Elections Canada, the independent and non-partisan agent of parliament responsible for conducting federal elections, is committed to reducing barriers to the electoral process for people with disabilities. This article provides important information to ensure you have the information you need to vote and work at the polls in the upcoming election.

To vote in a federal election, you must be a Canadian citizen, be at least 18 years old on election day, and prove your identity and address. The first step is to ensure you are registered to vote, or your registration is up-to-date with you current address. There are many ways to register or check/update your information. An easy way to do this is by visiting the Elections Canada’s Online Voter Registration Service. Registering to vote will ensure that you receive a voter information card once the election is called, which will provide details on where and when to vote. Your voter information card can also be used as a proof of address at the polls.

Every polling place must meet essential accessibility criteria, and there are several tools available to assist you while voting, including:
Ballot with candidate names in large print
Large-print and braille lists of candidates
Tactile and braille voting template
Magnifiers
Language and sign language interpretation (and other assistance upon request in advance)
Assistance marking your ballot (bring someone you know or ask an election worker)
Large-grip pencil (limited quantity) You can also bring your own pen or pencil
Signature guide
Note: Braille lists of candidates are only available on polling day. Large print is available on advance polling days and on polling day. If your polling place does not meet your needs then Elections Canada can arrange to transfer you to an alternative polling place near your home that is accessible to you.

Also, did you know that there are alternative ways to vote, such as registering to vote-by-mail? This option is a great alternative if voting at a polling station is not accessible for you. Information about these options can be found on your voter information card, at www.elections.ca, or by calling 1-800-463-6868. For those who are deaf or hard of hearing, TTY service is available at 1-800-361-8935.

To vote, you are required to provide proof of identification and address, but there are multiple ways to do so. First, you can present one government-issued ID with your name, address and photo. If you do not have this type of ID, you can alternatively provide two authorized pieces of identification, both showing your name, with one also showing your address. A full list of authorized IDs can be found on our website, along with alternative options if you do not have two authorized forms of identification.

Want to be more involved in the electoral process? Working at the polls is a great opportunity to learn more about elections, connect with your community, and earn some income. Some of these short-time jobs require no previous experience and are a great way to build up a resume. Elections Canada is dedicated to reflecting Canada’s diversity at polling places. Applications for the next election are open on our website, and there is an accessibility box in the online form where you can request accommodations or discuss how we can support your work at the polls.

We hope this short article has helped to demystify the voting process. If you have for questions please do not hesitate to reach out to Jessica at jessica.burylo@elections.ca