For the new voters in your life...

I just pulled together this voters guide for my first-year students. Feel free to share or adapt it for the new voters in your life.

Last Sunday, the Prime Minister visited the Governor General and asked her to call an election. This means Canadians are going to the polls on Monday April 28.

Are you eligible to vote? If you're a Canadian citizen over the age of 18, then yes.

How do you get registered to vote? Use the Online Voter Registration Service at elections.ca, call them at 1-800-463-6868 or contact your local Elections Canada office. You can also register in person at your assigned polling place when you go to vote.

Wait! Where's my assigned polling place? Good question. First, take a look at your driver's license or other ID. What's your address? Is it where you're currently living, or home with your family? That tells you where you're eligible to vote. Enter your postal code here and it will tell you which electoral district you're eligible to vote in.

How can I vote? You've got lots of options:

• Vote on campus - UCalgary is signed up to have a polling station open here for the Vote on Campus program. No matter where you're eligible to vote, you can cast your ballot here on campus. If I'm reading the website correctly, this will be available on Sunday April 13 (noon-6pm), Monday April 14, Tuesday April 15 and Wednesday April 16, all 9 am-9pm. (I'll fill in the details when they're available)

• Vote on election day (Monday, April 28) at your assigned polling station

• Vote on advance polling days (Friday, April 18; Saturday, April 19; Sunday, April 20; and Monday, April 21) at your assigned polling station

• Vote early at any Elections Canada office across the country (until Tuesday, April 22, 6 p.m.)

• Vote by mail: Electors must apply by Tuesday, April 22, 6 p.m. and return their special ballot by mail (deadlines apply) or in person at their local Elections Canada office before polls close on election day.

  • Electors planning to return their special ballot by mail should plan ahead and make sure there is enough time to receive a voting kit and return their completed ballot to Elections Canada by the deadline indicated in their kit.

Are there tools to help me make a decision? The 2025 Vote Compass is available here.

Is Elections Canada hiring for election day? They are - information here.