Voters in Airdrie–Cochrane have several ways to cast their ballot ahead of the federal election on April 28. Here’s what to know about how to vote, what ID you need, and what to do in special situations.
Voting on election day
Polling places will be open across Alberta on Monday, April 28, from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. local time.
You must vote at your assigned polling station. The address is printed on your voter information card, or can be found at elections.ca or by calling 1-800-463-6868. Anyone in line at 7:30 p.m. will be allowed to vote.
Voting before election day
Advance polls are now closed. However, you can still vote at any Elections Canada office until Tuesday, April 22 at 6 p.m. You will vote by special ballot and must bring accepted ID.
Voting by mail
Apply to vote by mail by April 22 at 6 p.m. Ballots must be received by Elections Canada by April 28 to be counted.
Once you apply to vote by mail, you can’t change your mind and vote at advance polls or on election day. Check the instructions in your voting kit.
Who can vote
To vote in the federal election, you must:
How to register
Most Canadians who are eligible to vote are already registered in the National Register of Electors. To check if you’re registered or to register, use the Online Voter Registration Service, visit your local Elections Canada office, or call 1-800-463-6868.
You can also register in person:
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Online through the Online Voter Registration Service until April 22 at 6 p.m.
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In person at any Elections Canada office until April 22 at 6 p.m.
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At your assigned polling station on election day.
If you register in advance, you should get a voter information card in the mail by April 11. It tells you where and when to vote. Bring the card with accepted ID to make the process easier.
Changing your name
If an update is required to your name, you must make the change in person—either at your polling station when you vote or at your local Elections Canada office by April 22 at 6 p.m.
You will need to bring proof of your address, previous name and current name.
If you are concerned about privacy or safety, you may update your information in a private area at your Elections Canada office and vote there by special ballot.
Elections Canada cannot process name changes based on updates received by other federal or provincial agencies unless the information is also provided directly to Elections Canada.
Living in more than one place
If you live in more than one place throughout the year, register using the address you consider as home — the place where you ordinarily live, think of as home, or have adopted as home.
You can only vote once, in the riding where you’re registered. If you’re away on election day, vote early or by mail.
Accepted ID
You have three options to prove your identity and address:
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One piece of government-issued photo ID with your name and current address (e.g., driver’s licence).
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Two pieces of ID. Both must show your name; at least one must show your current address (e.g., utility bill and student ID).
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No ID? You can declare your identity and address in writing and have someone vouch for you. They must know you personally, vote at the same polling station, and show accepted ID. Only one person can be vouched for, except in long-term care facilities where staff may vouch for multiple residents.
An expired ID is accepted if it still shows your name and, if needed, your address.
We accept e-statements and e-invoices. Print them or show them on a mobile device. Photocopies are only accepted if the document was issued electronically.
Can I use a P.O. box or rural route address? Yes — if that’s how your address appears on the list of electors.
Preferred name and gender indicators
You can introduce yourself with your preferred name at the polling station. To vote, you must show ID accepted by Elections Canada and be registered under the name and address shown on this ID.
You are not required to show ID that includes a sex/gender indicator. You can still use ID that shows different sex or gender indicators, as long as your name and address match your voter registration.
What matters is that your name and address match your voter registration.
Voter information card
If you are registered, you should receive a voter information card in the mail by April 11. It tells you where and when to vote.
You can use the card as proof of address, but it must be used with another piece of accepted ID to prove your identity.
In exceptional cases, your polling place may change after the card is mailed. If so, you will receive a new card with the words Replacement Card printed in the bottom-right corner.
Bring this updated card with you. If your name and address are correct, it can be used as proof of address.
If you didn’t receive a card or it contains errors, your registration may not be up to date. You can update your information online, at an Elections Canada office, or at the polls.
Candidate representatives and privacy
Candidate representatives may ask to see your ID, but you are not required to show it to them. Only the election officer can decide if your ID is valid.
Ballot secrecy and security
Each ballot is initialled by a poll worker and marked with the polling district. Ballots are counted in front of candidate representatives, with procedures in place for storage, audits and recounts.
Taking a picture of a completed ballot—yours or anyone else’s—is illegal because it violates the secrecy of the vote under the Canada Elections Act.
Voters in special circumstances
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Students can use a Letter of Confirmation of Residence from their school, along with accepted ID.
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Long-term care residents may vote using photocopies of ID and a confirmation letter from staff. Employees may vouch for more than one resident.
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Hospitalized voters can vote from their hospital room by special ballot. An election officer will assist either room-to-room or by appointment.
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Correctional voting took place on April 16.
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Canadian Forces members may vote at civilian or military polling stations.
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Homeless electors may use a Letter of Confirmation of Residence from a shelter, soup kitchen, or service provider. They can also be vouched for.
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Remote worksite voters—such as those in oil fields or lighthouses—may request alternative access points through Elections Canada.
Accessibility and support
Voters who need help may bring a support person or ask for assistance from an election officer.
Large-print lists of candidates, magnifiers, and grip pencils will be available at all polls. Braille templates and braille candidate lists will be available on election day only.
Requests for sign language interpretation must be submitted by April 22.
Candidate list – Airdrie–Cochrane
Five candidates are confirmed in the federal riding of Airdrie–Cochrane:
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Christopher Bell – Christian Heritage Party of Canada
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Blake Richards – Conservative Party of Canada
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David Sabine – Libertarian Party of Canada
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Sean Secord – Liberal Party of Canada
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Sarah Zagoda – New Democratic Party
Elections Canada does not endorse or verify candidate websites, campaign materials or public statements.
Voter information and assistance
To verify your registration, find your polling station, or view the full list of accepted ID, visit elections.ca or call 1-800-463-6868.
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