Everything you wanted to know but were afraid to ask!

So, you're interested in voting but not sure what to do or what you need to know? Check it out! We have all the info you need to get started.

Let's start with some basic facts:

1. The election was called November 29, 2005 and will be held on January 23, 2006. Election campaigns cannot be more than 36 days as set out in the Canada Elections Act (the law that governs federal elections).

2. If you are reading this, you are probably already being bombarded with TV, print and radio ads telling you why you should vote for a particular party. The important part is to find out which party fits best for you and who is running in your riding.

3. There are 308 ridings (electoral areas) in Canada. Each riding represents one seat in the House of Commons and is represented by a Member of Parliament (MP). A party needs 155 seats in order to win a majority. If you are unsure of your riding, you can connect to the Elections Canada website.

4. In order to vote, it is important to know:
    i. if you are eligible to vote
    ii. if you are registered to vote
    iii. how to register if you aren't already
    iv. what riding you live in/the candidates running in your riding
    v. where and how to vote

Are you eligible to vote?

If you are a Canadian citizen and will be 18 or older on election day...congrats! You get to exercise your democratic right.

Are you registered to vote?

The majority of eligible voters are already registered to vote thanks to the National Register of Electors (a list of Canadians who have the right to vote). Elections Canada updates the Register in a number of ways (car registration, income tax return, Citizenship and Immigration, etc). So, even if you have moved in the recent past, you still may be on the list.

If you are on the list you will receive (in the mail) a voter information card. This confirms that your name is on the list. The card also tells you when and where to vote. All you have to do is bring this card to the polling station with you on election day!

If you are NOT registered to vote...

Don't sweat it if you aren't on the list. It's easy to get on. All you have to do is pick up the phone and call Elections Canada at 1-800 INFO VOTE (1-800-463-6868). They will help you get on the list.

You can also go to your polling station on elections day and register then. The only catch is that you have to know where your polling station is located. If you are not sure, call 1-800 INFO VOTE (1-800-463-6868) and give them your postal code.

What riding are you in/who are your candidates?

The next step is to find out who is running for elected office in your riding (community). This will help you decide when you get to the ballot box.

To find out which riding you are in you can:

Go to the Elections Canada website and click on Electoral Districts.

Call Elections Canada:
1-800 INFO VOTE (1-800-463-6868)

Write to Elections Canada:
Elections Canada
257 Slater St.
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0M6

Both the website and the voter information line will tell you which district you are in and provide you with the list of candidates in your area.

The tough part is in deciding who to vote for. This is completely up to you! Watch the debates, read the media, watch the media, meet the candidates and keep informed.

Do you know where and how to vote?

The "where to vote" part can be found out in a few ways:

1. Write down the address provided on your voter information card
2. Call Elections Canada: 1-800 INFO VOTE (1-800-463-6868)
3. Ask someone who is in a position to know (a parent/guardian, perhaps)

The "how to vote" part is actually quite straightforward, but let's go through it just in case.

1. Head down to your polling station (can be located in a school, community centre, etc). Check polling times in your area, but as a general guideline they tend to open between 7 and 8:30 am and close between 7 and 8:30 pm (they are staggered across the country so that people in the West don't find out how people in the East voted before they head to the polls).

2. People seated at tables (poll clerks and deputy returning officers) will guide you to the proper table where you must show identification (driver's license, health card, etc) and/or your voter information card.

3. A poll clerk will get you to fill out and sign a registration certificate. Sitting next to him/her is the deputy returning officer who will give you a folded ballot.

4. You go behind a voting screen, mark an X in the circle beside the name of the candidate you choose, and fold up your ballot.

5. Finally, take your ballot back to the same table and place it in the ballot box.

Did you know that you can take time off work to vote? It's true! Your employer is required by law to provide you with time to go down to your polling station and vote. Make sure to take advantage!

If you are going to be away or aren't able to vote in person, you can vote in the advance polls or by special ballot. To do so, call Elections Canada: 1-800 INFO VOTE (1-800-463-6868)