You may choose one of two ways to vote in an election, in person at the polling station or by mail-in ballot. If you are a registered voter you will receive a Voter Information Card with dates, times and locations of voting days.
You can vote on Election Day at the voting station assigned to you based on your home address or you can vote during one of three Advance Voting Days. Refer to your Voter Information Card (VIC) card to confirm your voting locations.
Here's the easy steps to voting in PEI:
- register with Elections PEI
- look for your Voter Information Card (VIC) in the mail directing you when and where to vote
- bring your VIC and valid photo ID to the polling station
- a Poll Clerk will scan your VIC into their computer and check your ID to verify you
- a Deputy Returning Officer (DRO) will exchange a ballot for your VIC and direct you where to mark your ballot in privacy
- fold and return your ballot to the DRO to deposit into the ballot box.
That's it, you've voted. Once every last person in the voting station has had their chance to vote, the ballot box will be unsealed and opened to count the ballots. Most voting opportunities like this, now take less than 5 minutes.
During an official election, there are three Advance Voting days scheduled in addition to Election Day to help make it easier for you to vote.
Dates, times and locations of voting days will be available on the Voter Information Card (VIC).
Advance Polls are open from 9:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. and held on:
- Saturday, the 9th day before Polling Day;
- Monday, the 7th day before Polling Day; and
- Friday, the 3rd day before Polling Day
If you are studying in PEI and living away from your family home, you may choose to vote in the district of your family home or the district of the address on PEI where you are living while attending school. If you attend school outside PEI and unable to vote in an Advance Poll or on Election Day, you may complete the mail-in ballot.
Elections PEI is committed to providing everyone, equal access to vote. Mobile voting stations are available to residents in hospitals and long-term care centres to allow easier and, if necessary, bedside voting.
At each polling station voters are entitled to receive special services as requested or as required to be able to vote, including:
- Accessibility – Every polling station and voting booth is wheelchair friendly. We also offer help for difficulties with vision or hearing, low literacy or help for new Canadians.
- Voting Assistance – A deputy returning officer or friend may assist a voter in marking their ballot if the voter requests help. The voter will be asked to take an oath or make a special statement.
- Language Assistance – A voter who is unable to understand English for any reason, i.e. difficulty with vision or hearing, low literacy level, speaks another language, may bring another person to interpret and join them in the voting station to help with marking their ballot.
Time off from work to vote
Section 81 of the Election Act allows for at least one hour for eligible voters to vote on Election Day.
Voting As A New Canadian
Since you have become a Canadian citizen, you are now be eligible to take part in voting for the next election in our province. Visit our Canadian Citizenship information page.