Here’s how Canada’s federal election day will run

Elections Canada signage is seen at an advance polling location in Toronto on Friday, April 18, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Laura Proctor

Canadians are heading to the polls to determine who will form the next government on Monday. Here are a few things to keep in mind on election day.

To be able to vote, you must be a Canadian citizen who is at least 18 years old on election day.

Polls are open for 12 hours on election day, and you must vote at your assigned polling station. The hours may vary depending on the time zone, Elections Canada says.

Identification

Voters must also be able to prove their identity and address using one of the following methods:

• A driver’s licence or any other Canadian government-issued identity document (federal, provincial/territorial or local) with your name, photo and current address.
• If you don’t have the above, you must show two pieces of identification, at least one of which must have your current address.
• If you don’t have either of the above, you must declare your identity and address in writing and have someone with you who can vouch for you. This person must prove their identity and address with government-issued ID. Each person can vouch for only one person.

Voter information card

To find your polling station, check your voter information card, which is mailed to your home after you register your current address.

This card tells you where and when to vote, the accessibility of your assigned polling station, how to request assistance in advance and the address of the closest Elections Canada office where voting by special ballot takes place.

Elections Canada recommends bringing your voter information card, along with accepted ID, to make the voting process easier. A voter information card is not required to vote, but individuals must be registered. Individuals can register to vote at their assigned polling station on election day.

Voter information service

The voter information service provides information about your electoral district, including a map, list of candidates and results from past elections.

It can also be used to find the list of candidates running in your district, the location of your polling places on election day and the address of your local Elections Canada office.

If you haven’t registered to vote, you can register at your assigned polling station.

The best time to vote on election day

The best time to vote on election day is between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., according to Elections Canada.

The busiest times are early in the morning and after 4 p.m.

More information about voting in the federal election can be found on the Elections Canada’s website.

Pencil versus pen

Elections Canada spokesperson Dugald Maudsley told CTV News Channel Monday pencils are used in Canadian elections because of their reliability.

“Pencils are used in elections around the world … unlike pens they don’t run out and they don’t burst or break and spoil the ballot potentially,” he said.

Voters have the option to bring their own pen or writing utensil though pencils will be provided at polling stations, Maudsley added.

The counting process

Maudsley said the counting of advanced ballots can begin as much as a couple of hours before the polls close.

Elections Canada reported an estimated 7.3 million people cast a ballot during advance polls from April 18 to 21.

As for regular ballots cast today, Maudsley said they will be counted at their respective polling station.

“They’ll be counted by two Elections Canada workers along with witnesses, usually those are representatives of the candidates,” he explained.

Maudsley said the sealed ballot box will be opened and each of the ballots will be taken out one at a time.

The name of the candidate on the ballots will be read out loud and the ballot will be showed to everyone at the table before adding the candidate’s name to the tally.

When the voting is complete, the ballots from each candidate are put into a separate envelope, sealed and totals are worked out.

The votes are handed to the returning officer who submits the information to Elections Canada in Ottawa. That information is put up on its website.

A long night?

“It’s hard to say when the counting process will wrap up,” Maudsley said, pointing to ridings with long ballets.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is running against 90 other candidates in his Ottawa-area Carleton riding. A protest group called the Longest Ballot Committee – whose aim is to support electoral reform – convinced dozens of other candidates to register and run as Independents.

Voting hours across Canada can be found here.