The clock is ticking for Canadians to get their vote in ahead of election day, as advance polling opened on Friday across the country but ends early this week.
Here are some tips according to Elections Canada for those voting around Simcoe Muskoka.
Where to vote early
Voters can cast their ballots at their assigned polling stations or at one of the nearly 500 Elections Canada offices across the country.
Assigned polling station locations can be found online through Elections Canada’s voter information service, or through voter information cards that registered voters should have received in the mail by April 11.
Voter information cards indicate where and when to vote, the accessibility of assigned polling stations before and on election day, and how to request voting assistance in advance.
For those looking to vote at Elections Canada offices, here are their addresses in the following cities and towns:
- Aurora: 150 Hollidge Boulevard and 14824 Yonge Street
- Barrie: 431 Bayview Drive and 60 Bell Farm Road
- East Gwillimbury: 18667 Old Yonge Street
- Huntsville: 321 Muskoka 3 Road North
- Midland: 877 King Street
- New Tecumseth: 497 Victoria Street East
- Orillia: 210 Memorial Avenue
- Orangeville: 695 Riddell Road
- Owen Sound: 945 3rd Avenue East
- Wasaga Beach: 425 River Road West
Those who did not receive a voter information card by April 11 might not be registered, or their registration might not be up to date.
They can update their voter information by contacting an Elections Canada office by Tuesday at 6 p.m. or register when going to vote.
When to vote early
Assigned polling stations opened on Friday and will operate between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. until Monday.
Elections Canada Offices are open from noon until 4 p.m. on Sundays and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays.
Voters can cast their ballot at any Elections Canada office by 6 p.m. on Tuesday, April 22.
Elections Canada says early morning to 1 p.m. is typically ‘busiest,’ 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. is ‘busy,’ while after 4 p.m. is typically a ‘low-traffic’ period.
How to vote early
To be eligible to vote, voters must be at least 18 years old on election day and prove their identity and address.
When going to vote, Elections Canada encourages voters to bring their voter information card and accepted ID to make the voting process easier.
Those voting at Elections Canada offices will vote through the special ballot process, which involves writing the first and last name of a chosen candidate on a blank space and dropping it off in a ballot box.
Those voting by mail must apply before the 6 p.m. deadline on Tuesday, receive a voting kit, and mail their completed ballot to Elections Canada before their assigned deadline.
Elections Canada recommends voting by mail for those who are students away from home and those who know that they will be outside their riding during advance or election day polls.
Bottom line
With the April 28 election day one week away, Elections Canada urges voters to plan early and to choose the option that works best for them.
