Student Life

How to Vote as a Canadian Student

How to Vote as a Canadian Student
As a student, it’s easy to get wrapped up in the world around you and forget about everything outside of midterms and frat parties. However, with the elections coming up this October, it’s important to start thinking about who you want to run our country for the next four years. Historically, young adults have voted at lower rates then older adults. This could be due to a number of factors including missing the deadline, being uninformed and believing their vote won’t make a difference. As the federal elections draw closer, it is important students understand why they should vote and how to vote.

1. Check that You’re Eligible
There are only a few requirements to vote in the Canadian election.
Be A Canadian Citizen
Be 18 years or older on election day
Be registered to vote 
2. Make Sure You’re Registered
Most Canadians who are registered to vote are already registered in the National Register of Elections. There are two ways to register. You can register online beforehand or you can register when you go in to vote. It’s often advised that you register beforehand as you will be mailed a voter information card that tells you the time and place to vote. This helps make the voting process easier. If you’re unsure whether or not you’re registered, check your voter registration at elections.ca.

3. Choose the Right Home Address
As a university student, it can be confusing as to what address to put. Especially if you’ve come from overseas, living in residence or moved out of your parents’ house. If you’re confused about what address to put, it is recommended that you put the address where you ordinarily live. This being the place where you spend most of your time. This is important as you will vote for a candidate in the riding where you live.   

4. Bring Proper ID
All electors must prove their identity and home address before voting. There is a variety of different identification cards you may use with the most common being your driver’s license or any card issued by the Canadian government. However, if you don’t have them, there is a variety of other ways to prove your identity. You are also able to show your university student card, bank statements, credit card or provincial health card. Even if one of these pieces is expired, they are still valid means of proving your identity. 

5. Understand the Various Ways You Can Vote
As a student, it can be hard to go off campus to find a voting poll, especially if you don’t have a car or have a busy day. Luckily, the Vote on Campus program works closely with national student associations and membership organizations to make voting easily accessible with offices in over 115 post-secondary campuses around Canada! In addition to this, there are typically 4 different ways to vote. You can vote at a polling place, at any Elections Canada office, online, or by mail. 



The federal elections are on October 21, 2019. For the official information, head over to the Elections Canada website. 