Voting in Hamilton: A comprehensive guide
The race is on for politicians hoping to secure their seats in the upcoming federal election. But for you - the average Hamiltonian balancing everything from a pandemic to back-to-school - it may feel like there aren't enough hours in the day to research candidates in your riding, ensure you're eligible to vote and create a plan for casting your ballot.
To lighten your workload, the Spectator compiled a comprehensive guide to get you to the polls, however you wish to vote: in person on election day, through advanced polling or via mail by special ballot.
When is the federal election?
The federal election takes place Sept. 20, though advanced polls and mail-in voting are available prior to election day. More about advanced polls and mail-in voting in the sections to come.
I live in Hamilton but I'm not sure who's running in my riding. How can I find out and learn more about their politics before heading to the polls?
To find your riding, visit www.elections.ca/home and enter your home postal code. Then, check out the list of candidates for your riding below. You can also watch a series of candidate debates hosted by Cable 14, in partnership with the Spectator, between Sept. 7 and 16. Visit cable14.com for more information.
Hamilton Centre
- Communist Party of Canada: Nigel Cheriyan
- Conservative: Fabian Grenning
- Green: Avra Caroline Weinstein
- Independent: Nathalie Xian Yi Yan
- Liberal: Margaret Bennett
- NDP: Matthew Green (incumbent)
- PPC: Kevin Barber
Hamilton East-Stoney Creek
- Conservative: Ned Kuruc
- Green: Larry Pattison
- Liberal: Chad Collins
- NDP: Nick Milanovic
- PPC: Mario Ricci
Hamilton Mountain
- Christian Heritage Party: Jim Enos
- Conservative: Al Miles
- Green: David Urquhart
- Liberal: Lisa Hepfner
- NDP: Malcolm Allen
- PPC: Chelsey Taylor
Hamilton West-Ancaster-Dundas
- Conservative: Bert Laranjo
- Green: Victoria Galea
- Liberal: Filomena Tassi (incumbent)
- NDP: Roberto Henriquez
- PPC: Dean Woods
- Rhinoceros Party: Spencer Rocchi
Flamborough-Glanbrook
- Conservative: Dan Muys
- Green: Thomas Hatch
- Liberal: Vito Sgro
- NDP: Lorne Newick
- PPC: Bill Panchyshyn
How do I register to vote?
To vote in a federal election, you must be at least 18 years old, a Canadian citizen and registered on the list of electors.
If you're unsure if you're registered or have moved since the last election, visit www.elections.ca/home to check.
Is it your first time voting in a federal election? Register online or in-person at an Elections Canada office by Sept. 14 at 6 p.m. You can also register to vote in-person at your polling station on election day or on advanced polling days, which run from Sept. 10 to 13.
Are you a Hamiltonian living abroad? Register to vote on the International Register of Electors, and check out the section about voting via mail by special ballot below.
I'm registered to vote. What's next?
Check your mailbox to find your voter information card, which will have personalized information on where and when to vote. If you haven't received one yet, you should receive it shortly.
Due to increased public health measures and physical distancing guidelines, there may be new polling locations and voters may have to cast their ballots further from their homes. Be sure to create a plan to get to the polls.
If you're voting in-person on Sept. 20 or on advanced polling days, you must bring identification with you, such as a drivers license or any government identification that includes your name, photo and current address. You may also show two pieces of ID, such as a voter information card and a bank statement or a utility bill and a student ID card.
If you don't have ID, you can still vote if you state your identity and address in writing. You must also have someone assigned to your polling station who knows you and can confirm your identity and address.
COVID-19 cases are rising in Hamilton. Can I vote without going to the polls?
Masks, single-use pencils and hand sanitizer will be available for electors, and PPE will be provided for poll workers. Physical distancing measures will also be in place at polling sites. For a detailed view of Election Canada's COVID-19 measures for the election, head online.
If you don't feel comfortable going to the polls in-person or you live abroad, you can choose to vote by mail by special ballot.
How do I vote via mail by special ballot?
Elections Canada estimates between two million and three million Canadians will vote by mail - a steep increase from 2019, when around 50,000 voted by mail.
If you decide to vote by mail by special ballot, you must apply for a special ballot voting kit either online or via phone at 1-800-463-6868. Your deadline to apply for a special ballot is Sept. 14 at 6 p.m.
Voting via mail by special ballot is different than voting in-person. Your ballot will have a blank space for you to write the name of the candidate you wish to vote for rather than of a list of candidates to choose from. Detailed instructions will be mailed to you with your voting kit.
Keep in mind that Ottawa must receive your special ballot by Sept. 20 at 6 p.m. to be counted. If you're in your riding, you can also drop off your marked ballot at a polling location before the polls close in your area. Ballots received after that deadline are deemed invalid. More information about voting via mail by special ballot can be found at www.elections.ca/home.
Also note once you apply to vote this way, you cannot change your mind and vote in-person.
I'm a student at McMaster University or Mohawk College and on-campus voting was cancelled this year. What do I do?
While on-campus voting initiatives aren't running this year, you still have an opportunity to cast your ballot in-person on election day, in advanced polls or by special ballot.
You can choose which riding you want to cast your ballot in, whether it be for your hometown riding or your school address. You cannot vote in both ridings.
If you choose to vote in-person in your riding in Hamilton, you can bring a copy of your lease or proof of residency on-campus as proof of address. For more information, click here.
Alessia Passafiume is an intern reporter with The Spectator. Reach her via email: apassafiume@thespec.com.