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How do I choose who to vote for?
Voting is an important civic duty and a privilege in our democratic country. Before you vote, it's best to research the key issues that matter to you most as a Canadian citizen and how each political party plans to address them.
Each political party has different priorities on domestic and foreign policies and may differ in how it collects and spends tax money, reforms or eliminates laws to improve the economic or social outlook, and addresses popular public concerns. By researching what each party stands for, you can vote for the political candidate and party that aligns closest with your values.
There are currently 16 registered political parties in Canada at the federal level and many more in Ontario for the provincial elections. There are five main federal parties you will hear about most, and they are the:
Each party's website provides information on its political platform. You can also find event dates for when the running candidates will appear at rallies (community gatherings) for the election period. During the election period, you can also watch the debates to learn more about how candidates defend their positions and respond to difficult questions and challenges.
The parties also have direct phone lines and online contact forms where you can submit questions and share your concerns.
You can also check out the Vote Compass tool, created by political scientists, to help undecided voters determine which party they are most aligned with.
Election or “Campaign” Period
During the campaign period, party leaders promote themselves right before an election. Candidates and party volunteers use various channels to promote their platforms and policies and inform people about their most important values. They distribute promotional flyers, visit door-to-door, speak at community town halls or rallies, and get stories in the news, television, radio, and social media.
The election period is typically 37 days but can last up to no more than 51 days. The election day must fall on a Monday (with some limited exceptions).
Misleading Information During the Campaign Period
The election period is highly competitive. During the political race, you might see an increase in misinformation and "threats to the electoral process".
The threats can take on the form of:
- Disinformation - Influence advertisements aimed at discrediting parts of the electoral process, social media campaigns to spread false information about a candidate, and foreign online campaigns targeting specific communities to influence their vote.
- Cyber Attacks - Ransomware-based attacks targeting voter database systems and political parties.
- Physical violence - Elections Canada workers intimidated or threatened with violence at polling stations. Candidates or party officials intimidated or threatened with violence while campaigning. Physical intimidation is used to influence individuals to vote a certain way.
Be cautious of some of the information you will see on social media. There can be a lot of
disinformation made to benefit or discredit party leaders. If you spot fake or misleading information, you can report it to the
Canada Centre for Cybersecurity or to
CSIS (the Canadian Security Intelligence Service)What does the ballot look like?
On election day you will be presented with a ballot. The ballot is a card with a list of names of all the MPs in your riding representing each party and a circle beside each candidate's name. Each candidate’s political party name will be on the ballot as a reminder of the party you are voting for.
The Deputy Returning Officer (DRO) will explain what to do with the ballot. If you have questions about the ballot it is the DRO's job to answer any questions you have.
You will go behind a screen so you can vote in private. No one should see how you vote.
- Unfold your ballot.
- Find the name of the person you want to vote for and mark an "X" in the circle beside this person's name.
- After you mark your "X," refold your ballot.
- Give it back to the DRO, and they will put your ballot in the ballot box.
You’re finished voting.
To make sure your vote counts - be careful not to spoil your ballot:
- Do not sign your name on the ballot.
- You can only make one "X" on your ballot.
- Do not write anything else on your ballot.
- If you make a mistake while marking your ballot, you can get a new one from the DRO.
Can I get help while voting?
Yes. A friend or relative can help you vote if you find voting difficult. You can also ask the Deputy Returning Officer (DRO) to help you vote.
If you don't speak or read English, you can bring someone to translate or interpret for you.
If you do have help marking the ballot, make sure that the person helping you does not try to influence who you vote for; that is against the law.
Find out more about assistant tools and services available during an election by visiting the Elections Canada website.
Who can I call if I have any questions about voting?
The Information for First-Time-Electors page from Elections Canada has good information for newcomers if you are a first-time voter.
If you have any questions about voting, contact Elections Canada:
In Canada: 1-800-463-6868
TTY: 1-800-361-8935
Fax: 1-888-524-1444
Website: elections.ca
Elections Canada is the official site for federal elections in Canada. It is an independent non-partisan agency.
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Last updated:
March 25, 2025
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