Where to Vote in Canada Elections – 2025 Polling Station Guide

Finding where to vote in Canadian elections involves locating your assigned polling station within your electoral district. Elections Canada provides official tools to identify your voting place, and multiple voting options exist for those unable to visit on election day.

The 2025 Canadian federal election takes place on Monday, April 28, with polling stations open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time in most jurisdictions. Advance polls run from April 18 to 21, offering early voting opportunities for eligible Canadians. Understanding your options helps ensure your vote is cast successfully.

This guide covers how to find your polling station, advance voting options, mail-in ballots, ID requirements, and accessibility features available at Canadian polling places.

How to Find Your Polling Station in Canadian Elections

• Polling locations are assigned based on your residential address within your electoral district.
• The voter information card, mailed 4-6 weeks before election day, lists your assigned polling station.
• Elections Canada’s Voter Information Service serves as the primary online tool for locating your voting place.
• Global News profiles all 343 federal ridings with candidates and past voting results.
• Polling divisions include ordinary stations (1-399), mobile stations (500 series), and single-building stations (400 series).
• After advance polls close, ordinary voting occurs only at your assigned station.
• Voter information cards can be verified or replaced through Elections Canada if lost or not received.

Advance Polling and Early Voting Options

Advance polls provide an opportunity to cast your ballot before election day. For the 2025 federal election, advance voting runs from Friday, April 18 through Monday, April 21, with polls open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. local time at designated stations within each riding.

Vote on Campus Program

The Vote on Campus Program allows students and any eligible voter to cast special ballots at university locations. For the 2025 election, several institutions host on-campus voting stations. The University of British Columbia operates stations at both its Vancouver and Okanagan campuses from April 13-16, using special ballots that let voters participate from their home riding regardless of campus location.

Voters using campus voting must present proper identification and proof of address. Hours at UBC Vancouver (AMS Student Nest, Room 4202) run Sundays from 12-6 p.m. and Monday through Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. UBC Okanagan (ADM 100 Upper Foyer) operates Sundays 12-6 p.m. and Monday through Wednesday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Elections Canada Offices

Canadians preferring early in-person voting can visit any of the approximately 500 Elections Canada offices nationwide. These offices accept special ballot voting through April 22 at 6 p.m. Office hours run Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturdays 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sundays noon to 4 p.m.

Vote by Mail and Special Ballots

Special ballots provide a flexible voting option for Canadians unable to visit a polling station on election day. Applications must be received by April 28, 2025, the same day polls close, for ballots to count. Canadians abroad should register and apply early to account for mailing times.

Application Process

To request a special ballot, contact Elections Canada directly through their website or in person at any Elections Canada office. Voters must provide identification and confirm their eligibility within their registered electoral district. Applications submitted before the deadline remain valid, and voters can still return their completed ballots after the submission deadline has passed.

Voting While Away from Home

Canadians temporarily residing outside their electoral district can vote by special ballot regardless of their current location. The Vote on Campus Program specifically supports this by allowing voters to cast ballots at university locations for their home riding. Similarly, any Elections Canada office can issue special ballots to registered electors.

ID Requirements and Accessibility at Polls

Voters must present approved identification when voting or registering at the polls. Elections Canada maintains a comprehensive list of acceptable documents, which typically includes government-issued photo ID, driver’s licences, and passports. Voters without sufficient identification may be vouched for by another registered voter or register on the spot with proper documentation.

Poll Hours

Poll hours on election day vary slightly by source, with most jurisdictions operating from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time. Advance polls consistently run from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. local time across all designated stations. Voters should verify their specific polling station hours through the Voter Information Service as election day approaches, since hours can be set locally within these general windows.

Accessibility Features

Polling stations across Canada are fully accessible to voters with mobility challenges, visual impairments, or other accessibility needs. Trained election workers staff every location to assist voters requiring language support, mobility aids, or other accommodations. Alternative voting arrangements exist for voters unable to access standard polling locations due to disability or geographic isolation.

Provincial and By-Election Voting Locations

Provincial elections operate independently from federal elections, with each province and territory managing its own electoral system. The 2025 federal election includes 343 ridings across Canada, but provincial and territorial elections occur on separate timelines determined by local legislation rather than the federal government.

Provincial Electoral Districts

Each province and territory maintains its own electoral boundaries, separate from federal ridings. Voters participating in provincial elections must use their province’s designated voter services rather than Elections Canada tools. Ontario residents, for example, can use Elections Ontario’s Voter Information Service to locate their provincial polling stations. Similar services exist for every province and territory.

By-Election Locations

By-elections occur when a federal seat becomes vacant between general elections. These elections are announced separately and involve specific ridings rather than a national vote. Polling locations for by-elections follow the same district boundaries as general elections, and voters can locate their station through Elections Canada’s standard voter lookup tools using their postal code.

Timeline of Federal Election Voting

Understanding the sequence of voting opportunities helps Canadians plan their participation in federal elections.

1. Voter information cards mailed to registered voters 4-6 weeks before election day, listing assigned polling station.
2. Vote on Campus period begins at participating universities using special ballots for any home riding.
3. Advance polls open Friday through Monday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. local time.
4. Special ballot deadline for in-person voting at Elections Canada offices, 6 p.m.
5. Election day with polls open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time.
6. Results released after polls close across all time zones.

What’s Clear and What Requires Verification

Context – Federal vs. Provincial Voting Systems

Canada’s electoral system operates at both federal and provincial levels, with separate authorities managing each tier of government. Elections Canada oversees the 343 federal ridings, while each of the ten provinces and three territories maintains independent electoral bodies responsible for provincial and territorial elections.

This structure means Canadians participate in two distinct electoral systems, each with its own voter identification requirements, polling station assignments, and election timelines. Understanding which authority manages your election—whether federal or provincial—determines where to find accurate voting information.

Key Sources and Official Information

Elections Canada serves as the authoritative source for all federal election information, operating under the direction of the Chief Electoral Officer. The organization maintains 500 offices nationwide, publishes detailed voter guides, and operates the official Voter Information Service for locating polling stations.

The Chief Electoral Officer oversees the administration of federal elections and enforces the Canada Elections Act, ensuring fair and accessible voting for all eligible Canadians.

— Elections Canada mandate statement

Provincial election authorities operate independently, each providing voter services specific to their jurisdiction. Canadians voting in provincial elections should consult their provincial election office for accurate district and polling information.

Summary

Locating your polling station in Canadian elections begins with Elections Canada’s Voter Information Service or your voter information card. The 2025 federal election on April 28 offers multiple voting options including advance polls (April 18-21), campus voting (April 13-16), special ballots at Elections Canada offices, and vote-by-mail applications. Proper identification is required, and polling stations are fully accessible. Provincial elections follow separate timelines and use province-specific voter services. For additional context on Canadian government services, see the Canadian Carbon Tax Rebate – 2024-25 Amounts, Dates, Eligibility guide.

Frequently Asked Questions