Advance polling stations are open Friday through Monday ahead of general election Day on April 28. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

VOTING OPENS

Advance polls open for federal election

Apr 18, 2025 | 7:46 AM

NANAIMO — Advance polls for the 45th General Election open Friday.

Four days of advance voting begins on Friday, April 18, running through Monday, April 21, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. each day.

James Hale with Elections Canada said polling stations are outlined on Voter Information Cards, which were mailed out over recent weeks, however, voters can also check where to vote online.

“A Voter Information Card is not a ticket to vote, obviously. Anyone who has voted before knows it’s just a piece of identification and it speeds the process up when you go to the election poll and it also tells you where your poll is.”

Voters can find their assigned polling station by going to the Elections Canada website and selecting their electoral district.

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In order to cast a ballot, voters need to show a driver’s license or other federal, provincial or local government card with their name and current address on it.

Alternatively, voters can show two pieces of ID with their name and current address, such as the Voter Information Card, a utility bill or a student ID.

A full list of acceptable IDs is available here.

Those without ID can still vote, provided they declare their identity in writing and have someone vouch in person for who they are.

Voters can also cast their ballot until Tuesday, April 22 at any Elections Canada office, with ones set up at Nanaimo North Town Centre and Parksville Community Centre.

People can also vote by mail, however, applications to do so must be submitted by 6 p.m. on Tuesday, April 22.

General election day is April 28.

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