Absentee and Advance Voting

What if an election is called and you are going to be away on election day? Don’t worry, you can still vote at the Special Poll, Advance Poll or you can vote by Write-in Ballot (in person at the Returning office or by mail). If you intend to vote by mail, be sure to apply for your Write-in Ballot as early as possible after the election is called.

Special Polls

Thursday, Day 12 until Wednesday, Day 6

Special Polls are held at the returning office from the Thursday to the following Wednesday (closed Sunday) before election day. These polls are open from 12 noon to 8:00 pm.

Advance Polls

Friday, Day 3 and Saturday, Day 2

Advance Polls are held on the Friday and Saturday before election day, which is always a Tuesday. You can vote there just as you would at the ordinary polling station on election day. These polls are open from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm. Information about Advance Poll locations and dates can be found on your Voter Information Card.

Write-in Ballots

Write-in Ballots allow you as an elector to vote if you are unable to vote in person at the Special or Advance Polls, or on election day. A Write-in Ballot is a blank ballot on which you write in the name of the candidate for whom you are voting, or your party of choice if you don’t know the candidate’s name or the candidate has not been officially nominated. Write-in Ballots are available from your local Returning Officer very soon after the election is called, usually 29 days before election day.

How to get a Write-in Ballot: You can obtain a Write-in Ballot through three different methods: 1. You can request it in person 2. You can request it by mail 3. You can have someone else (your “agent”) obtain it for you

The Write-in Ballot process involves an application and the actual ballot kit.

These are the steps to follow to vote by Write-in Ballot:

First fill out the application for a Write-in Ballot. You can request an application from your local returning office (find your returning office) or download one here:
417, Application for Write-in Ballot/Registration on the List of Electors (PDF)
Return your completed application along with appropriate copies of identification to your local returning office in person, or by mail, or have someone (your agent) return it for you. Your application must be returned to your local returning office for a ballot to be issued. See ID Requirements.
Once the Returning Officer reviews and approves your application, you will be sent or given a Write-in Ballot kit. Once a Write-in Ballot kit has been issued, you are considered as having voted. If you go in person to the returning office, you can vote right there by Write-in Ballot. Don't forget to bring identification.
Your Write-in Ballot kit will contain the following:
- Instruction booklet “How to Complete Your Write-in Ballot Kit”
- Write-in Ballot
- Ballot Envelope
- Declaration Envelope
- Return Envelope
Once your ballot is completed, you must return it to your local returning office before the polls close at 7:00 pm on election day or your vote will not be counted.

Deadlines for the Returning Officer to issue a Write-in Ballot:

Wednesday, in person – 13 days before election day
Saturday, by mail – 10 days before election day
Saturday, by agent – 3 days before election day

Remember, it is your responsibility to get your Write-in Ballot to the returning office on time. So, please be sure that you allow enough time for the Returning Officer to receive your ballot, especially if you are returning it by mail.

Homebound
If you are homebound and cannot go to the polling station, you can vote by Write-in Ballot. You can appoint an agent up until three days before election day to receive and return your Write-in Ballot on your behalf.

Out of the Country
If you are out of the country and would like to vote by Write-in Ballot, please fill out an application as soon as you can. The Returning Officer will send your Write-in Ballot kit to you by a courier at no cost to you. You will only have to cover the cost to return the kit to the Returning Officer.

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