Federal Election 2025: Advance polls to be open for voters on April 18, 19, 20 and 21

By MATTHEW STEPHENS

With the date of Canada’s federal election on Monday, April 28, less than two weeks away, here’s everything you need to know about how to vote – including at advance polls which will be open for four days starting tomorrow.

Voting on advance polling days will be on April 18, 19, 20 and 21 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at assigned polling stations.

Information detailing where to find your advance polling station can be found on your voter information card or by heading to Elections Canada’s voter information service webpage and searching by electoral district name, candidate name, map location, village or city name, list (all of Canada or by province), or by entering your postal code.

When voting in person at advance polling stations or Elections Canada offices, voters have three options to confirm their identity prior to casting their ballot.

The first option is to present either a driver’s license or any other card issued by a Canadian government (federal, provincial/territorial or local) with your photo, name, and current address, and your voter information card.

Alternatively, voters can show two pieces of identification, both of which must have your name and at least one must have your current address. For example, your voter information card and bank statement, or a utility bill and student ID card. For information detailing other accepted pieces of identification, find the full list at https://elections.ca/.

Voters can still cast their ballot without identification if they declare their identity and address in writing and have someone who knows them who is assigned to the same polling station vouch for them. However, the voucher must be able to prove their identity and address, and can only vouch for one person (with the exception of those in long-term care facilities).

Voters can also cast their ballots at any of the 500 Elections Canada Returning Offices across the country any time before April 22 at 6 p.m

In the East Toronto ridings of Beaches-East York, Scarborough Southwest and Toronto-Danforth the Elections Canada Returning Offices are located at the following addresses:

In Beaches-East York, 2575 Danforth Ave.; phone number 1-866-236-8618.

In Scarborough Southwest, 2581 Eglinton Ave.; phone number 1-866-281-5089.

In Toronto-Danforth, 606 Danforth Ave.; phone number 1-866-714-6692.

Voting early at Elections Canada Returning Offices will utilize a special ballot process and voters are required to provide proof of identity and address before casting their vote. Ballots at Elections Canada offices will not have a list of candidates, however, a list of candidates for voter’s respective ridings can be provided by an election worker.

Voters will need to make sure they’re registered at their current address prior to casting their ballots.

Voters don’t need a voter information card to cast a vote, but they do need to be registered to vote in a federal election. Voters can also register when they go to vote.

By now, voters should have already received their voter information card in the mail. However, if have not received your card by now, or if the information on your card is incorrect, you may not be registered, or your registration may not be up to date.

To check your registration status or update your address, head to the online voter registration service, or call 1-800-463-6868 or 1-800-361-8935 (TTY) for assistance. Voters can update any of their voter information by contacting their local Elections Canada Returning Office.

To ensure your assigned polling station for election day and advance polling days meet accessibility needs, check your voter information card, visit https://elections.ca/ and enter your postal code into the Voter Information Service Box, or call 1-800-463-6868 or 1-800-361-8935 (TTY). To request voting assistance in advance, call your local Elections Canada office by Tuesday, April 22 at 6 p.m.

Alternatively, voters can cast their ballots via mail. Applications to vote by mail must be done before Tuesday, April 22 at 6 p.m. Voting by mail will also use the special ballot process.

To make sure your vote is counted, mailed in votes need to be received by election day in order to be counted. If you suspect your ballot will not arrive to an election office on time, it can be dropped off at your local Elections Canada office any time during the election period. For more information on deadlines, head to https://elections.ca/.

Note that once a mailed in ballot is sent, you cannot change your mind and vote at advance polls or on election day.

For more information about voting at advance polls on April 18, 19, 20 and 21; or voting on election day on April 28 , please visit the Elections Canada website at https://www.elections.ca/home.aspx