Voting Before Election Day at the Early Polls or Using the “Special Voting Process” | The Canadian News

Some Canadians simply want to vote for their favorite candidate as soon as possible. Some Canadians are not thrilled to go to the polls as COVID-19 infections rise across the country. All eligible Canadians who want to vote early in person for federal elections can do so at the early polls beginning September 10 at 9 a.m. M.

Elections Canada offers three ways to vote before Election Day, which is September 20. You can vote on early voting days, at any Elections Canada office or by mail.

Early voting days

Advance Polls are open Friday, September 10 through Monday, September 13, daily from 9 am to 9 pm You can only vote at the assigned polling place listed on the back of your Voter Information Card. You can also go to Elections Canada website and use the agency voter information service to find your early voting table.

Elections Office in Canada

There are 500 Elections Canada offices open across the country. There are three offices open in Regina. You can use the search tool in the Elections Canada website to find the one closest to you. All offices are open seven days a week: Monday to Friday, 9 am to 9 pm; Saturdays, from 9 am to 6 pm; and Sundays, from 12 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Ballot by mail

You will need to submit an application to vote by mail at the Elections Canada website by September 14 at 6 pm A ballot packet will be mailed to you and must be returned on or before Election Day, which is Monday, September 20.

If you choose to vote by mail or in person at any Elections Canada office, you will be voting in the “special ballot process.” Prepare before you vote by getting a list of all the candidates on your trip from the Elections Canada website, as one will not be provided to you. If you vote in person at an Elections Canada office, someone will be able to help you.

Write the first and last name of the chosen candidate on your empty ballot. You can include your candidate’s party if you wish, but if you fill out your empty ballot with just the name of a political party, your vote will not be counted.

Place your ballot in the unmarked envelope provided, then place that envelope in the envelope marked with your information. Sign and date your envelope. If you are voting by mail, put your completed ballot in a mailbox, or if you are at an Elections Canada office, put it in the ballot box. Ready!

The “special voting process” is done in this way to ensure anonymity while the votes are being counted. Only unmarked envelopes are counted after they have been separated from the marked envelopes.

If you are voting in person and do not have your voter identification card, you can register to vote at the polling station or at an Elections Canada office. You will need to bring government issued identification, such as a driver’s license or passport.

COVID-19 security measures are also in effect for anyone voting in person in Saskatchewan. Election Canada has mandated the use of masks. If you do not bring a mask, one will be provided. There will also be a single-use pencil, or you can bring your own writing utensil.

All staff will wear masks. There will be social distancing signs and hand sanitizing stations at all polling stations. Voting staff will be restricted to one person per table and Plexiglas will protect them from voters.