How federal elections work, who can vote, and what to do on election day.
Who can vote
- Must be a Canadian citizen.
- Must be at least 18 years old on voting day.
- Must be on the voters' list (Elections Canada maintains the National Register of Electors).
Federal election basics
- Members of Parliament (MPs) are elected in their local constituency (riding) — one MP per riding.
- The party with the most elected MPs forms the government; its leader becomes Prime Minister.
- Majority government: party holds at least half the House seats. Minority: less than half.
- Maximum time between federal elections is normally about four years (fixed-date law).
On election day
- Bring your voter information card and ID showing your name and address (or follow other ID rules).
- Go to your polling station; an Elections Canada official gives you a ballot.
- Behind the voting screen, mark an X next to the name of one candidate.
- Fold the ballot, hand it back to the official, who puts it in the ballot box.
- Your ballot is secret — you are not obliged to tell anyone how you voted.
Other elections
- Provincial/territorial elections choose Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs), MLAs, or MNAs depending on the province.
- Municipal elections choose mayors and councillors who run cities and towns.