Canadian Voter 101

A plain-language course for first-time voters, new citizens, and anyone who wants a refresher. Each lesson takes about five minutes and ends with a link to the official source.

Syllabus

1. Can I vote? Who’s eligible, and how to check or update your registration.
2. Three levels, three ballots. Federal, provincial or territorial, and municipal elections, and who runs each one.
3. From ballot to seat. Ridings, first-past-the-post, and how a party forms government.
4. When elections happen. Fixed election dates, snap elections, and the campaign period.
5. Ways to vote. Election day, advance polls, voting by mail, and voting at an elections office.
6. What to bring. Accepted ID, and what to do if you don’t have any.
7. Before you mark the ballot. Finding your candidates and comparing platforms.
8. After the polls close. Counting, results, and recounts.

Examples use British Columbia. Where other provinces or territories differ, each lesson says so and links their elections agency.

Official sources

• Elections Canada : federal elections
• Elections BC: 2026 provincial election 
• Elections BC: 2026 general local elections 
• Find your MP