Canadians have until April 22 to vote by mail or visit their local Elections Canada office to cast their ballot. The Canadian Press
More Canadians are choosing to vote early in this year’s federal election than they did in 2021. With still 20 days left before election day, over 130,000 people have already voted. This number is more than double what it was at the same time during the last election.
Canadians can vote anytime during the campaign if they know which local candidate they support. They don’t have to wait for the main voting day or even the advance polls. They can vote by mail or by visiting their local Elections Canada office.
Elections Canada shared that around 348,000 people have already asked for special ballots. This is about 4,000 more than the number of requests made in the 2021 election. What stands out even more is that more people have already sent back their completed ballots than at this time in the last election.
A spokesperson from Elections Canada explained in an email that the number of ballots issued so far is nearly the same as in 2021, but more have already been returned this time around. That means people aren’t just requesting ballots—they are using them.
Special ballots work differently than regular ones. Instead of selecting from a printed list of candidates, voters must write down the name of their preferred candidate. This makes it important for voters to know exactly who they are supporting.
Meanwhile, Elections Canada is wrapping up the process of confirming who will officially be running in the election. Candidates had until Monday to submit their paperwork. The final list of approved candidates is expected by late Wednesday or early Thursday.
There are also important dates to remember for anyone planning to vote early. April 22 is the last day to vote at a local office or apply to vote by mail. For those who prefer to vote in person but don’t want to wait until the final day, advance polls will open from April 18 to 21.
The rise in early voting shows that many Canadians are eager to take part in the election process. Whether it's the convenience of voting early or strong interest in the issues, more people are acting fast to make their voices heard.
Elections Canada continues to encourage everyone to check their voter registration and learn about their local candidates so they can cast their vote with confidence.
