It’s election day. Go vote!

It’s election day in Canada, and polls are open on Vancouver Island from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. All Canadian citizens 18 years and older who haven’t yet voted in this election are eligible to vote.

Voting is supposed to be easy, but sometimes it isn’t. It’s important, though. Politicians are more likely to pay attention to groups of people who actually show up and vote. Your vote is not just one vote — it’s a demand that you and people like you get a seat at the national table. 

There are basically three steps to voting today. Here’s some info that I hope will help you complete them.

Show up at the right place

The only way to vote on election day is to show up at the voting place assigned to the address where you live. Here are some ways to figure out where your voting place is:

• Did you receive a postcard in the mail from Elections Canada in recent weeks? If you did, great! That should have the details.
• Try Elections Canada’s website. It has a tool where you can find out where to vote with your postal code and address. Careful, though! Galen Armstrong gave me a heads up that the “city or town” name you need to input may not match your mailing address. For example, he had to enter “North Cowichan,” although his mailing address is in Duncan. That would likely also to apply to people in Crofton, Chemainus, Maple Bay and other North Cowichan communities.
• Ask your neighbours. You’re likely voting in the same place. They might know where to go.
• Check nearby community spaces. The local community hall, school or place of worship is a good place to check first. There will be signs if it’s a polling location. One of the staff inside should be able to tell you if you’re in the right place, or where to go if you’re not.

Need help getting where you need to go? BC Transit buses are free today, with the exception of the commuter buses.

Prove who you are

You will have to prove to Elections Canada staff that you are who you are, and you live where you live. A piece of government-issued ID with your name, photo and address should be enough. Or, failing that, you’ll need two identification cards or documents, both with your name and one with your address. Here’s a list of acceptable documents. If you can’t produce those, it’s possible for someone who knows you and is assigned to the same polling station to vouch for you. Here’s Election Canada’s full instructions on how to prove your identity and address. Bring the postcard that Elections Canada sent you, if you have one.

Vote!

In the Cowichan-Malahat-Langford riding, there are six candidates to choose between. (If you’re in Ladysmith, you vote in the Nanaimo-Ladysmith riding, with nine confirmed candidates.)

Here is The Discourse Cowichan’s coverage of the Cowichan-Malahat-Langford race:

• Cowichan-Malahat-Langford riding looking like a true four-way race [Note: the latest projections show the NDP in the lead, with the Conservative Party in second.]
• How much should we trust the polls this election?
• Cowichan-Malahat-Langford candidates talk environment and food security
• What do federal parties actually commit to doing about climate change?
• What will candidates do for seniors and veterans?
• Will candidates act to limit sprawl and protect farmland?
• Will candidates act to dismantle systemic racism in Canada?
• How will candidates advocate for First Nations beyond Cowichan?
• Will candidates help build connected and resilient communities?
• How will candidates balance jobs and climate action? [end]