How to vote in the federal election

If you woke up this morning and realized there's an election happening, there are some things you need to know before heading out to cast your ballot in Thunder Bay, and across northwestern Ontario. 

For those who already registered, it's easy. Bring your voter information card to your polling station, along with the required identification. Voter information cards do not count as identification this year, so keep that in mind. 

Even if you didn't pre-register, you can still register and vote on election day.

There are numerous polling stations in each riding, and sometimes the one closest to you is not the one you will be voting at. 

Where and when to vote: 

• Find out your polling station on the Elections Canada website, by typing in your postal code. 
• In Thunder Bay, all polling stations are open from 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
• In the Central Time Zone the polls are open from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. 
• Once voters know where to go, those who aren't pre-registered will have to stand in two different lines at the polling station — one to register to vote and one to actually vote. Everyone has to bring the required ID. 
• If you work, it's not a problem. Your employer legally has to give you three paid, consecutive hours to go vote. The only industry that has restrictions on that rule is the transportation industry. 

Here's what all voters need to bring:

• Your driver's licence or other government identification with your photo, name and address

                                                           OR

• Two pieces of identification; at least one must have your current address. This includes identification such as a health card, birth certificate, passport, bank statement, social insurance number, band membership card and more. You do not need to have photo identification, despite recent confusion about this requirement from some staff at polling stations. 

                                                           OR

• Take an oath to prove your address. This step requires you to have two pieces of identification with your name on it, and have someone who knows you attest to your address. That person must be registered to vote in the same polling station and show their own proof of identity and address. 

Other things to know: 

• Canadian passports cannot be used as proof of address; they can only be used as proof of name.
• If you do not have an address, you can get a confirmation of residence from administration at shelters, soup kitchens, student residences or seniors' residences. 
• Elections Canada accepts invoices or statements that were issued electronically. Simply bring them up on your mobile device, and show them to the elections official. 
• Expired ID is accepted, as long as it has your name and address on it.

Easing the process

Elections Canada encourages voters to register early to avoid any errors on election day. Without pre-registering, there are more chances things could go awry and voters could get turned away.

"A problem would arise if someone moved into town and didn't have an address in the city itself. " said Tom McCuaig, the Elections Canada returning officer for Thunder Bay - Rainy River. 

Incorrect paperwork or identification can be a problem, so double-check you have the right paperwork before heading to the polling station. 

If you don't have the right identification, you won't be able to vote.

If you didn't register already, you can still vote. Your best bet is to bring the correct paperwork to your polling station on Oct. 19 and register then.