Canadians appear more motivated to vote early this election than during the last campaign, according to numbers from Elections Canada.
With 20 days to go before voting day, over 130,000 Canadians had already cast their ballots. That’s more than double the number cast at this point in the 2021 election.
Canada’s election rules allow for voters to cast their ballot at any time during the campaign, as long as they know the name of their preferred local candidate.
Elections Canada issues special ballots to Canadians who don’t want to wait until election day or for advance polls. Voters can cast their ballot by mail or in the local Elections Canada office in their riding.
An Elections Canada spokesperson told CBC News that as of Tuesday, roughly 348,000 Canadians had requested a special ballot so far. That’s about 4,000 more than had applied during the 2021 campaign. But only 45,000 had returned their ballots at this point last election.
“At this point in the election cycle, roughly the same number [of special ballots] have been issued. But more have been returned in this current election than at this point in the previous election,” an Elections Canada spokesperson said in an email.
Voting in the Canadian federal election, explained
Special ballots are different from the ones typically seen on election day and at advance polls. Rather than a full list of contenders, they require voters to write in the name of their chosen candidate.
The swell of ballots returned so far comes as Elections Canada is finalizing candidates’ applications. Nominees had until Monday to file their paperwork. A final list should be made available late Wednesday or early Thursday.
April 22 is the deadline to vote at a local office and to apply to vote by mail. Advance polls will be open between April 18 and 21.
