Who is eligible to vote in a federal election?
- Anyone living in Canada for a year
- Canadian citizens who are at least 18 years old on voting day and on the voters’ list
- Permanent residents over 21
- Taxpayers of any citizenship
Answer: Canadian citizens who are at least 18 years old on voting day and on the voters’ list
Voting is one of the privileges of Canadian citizenship. To vote in a federal election you must meet all three conditions: be a Canadian citizen, be at least 18 on voting day, and be on the voters’ list.
Learn more: Who can vote and the voters’ list
- To vote in a federal election or referendum you must be: a Canadian citizen, at least 18 years old on voting day, and on the voters’ list.
- Elections Canada is a neutral (non-partisan) agency of Parliament. It runs federal elections and produces the voters’ lists.
- The voters’ lists come from the National Register of Electors, a permanent database of Canadian citizens 18 or older who are qualified to vote in federal elections and referendums.
- Once an election is called, Elections Canada sends a voter information card by mail to each elector in the National Register of Electors.
- The voter information card confirms you are on the voters’ list and tells you when and where to vote, plus a number to call if you need an interpreter or other special services.
- Even if you chose not to be in the Register, or did not get a card, you can be added to the voters’ list at any time, including on election day.
- Vote at the polling station listed on your voter information card, on election day or at an advance poll.