Vote is a nonpartisan, nonprofit website designed to help eligible voters figure out how and where to vote in their local elections. It links directly to state election websites and other trusted resources. It also helps people find poll sites and provides tools, such as magnifiers and large-grip pencils, to make voting more accessible for all.
During a federal election, you vote for your local Member of Parliament (MP) in your riding using the first-past-the-post system. The leader of the political party that gets the most MPs elected becomes the prime minister.
You can also vote for a mayor or other city officials in some cities and towns. For these, you may use ranked choice voting or other methods. Depending on the type of election, you may also have other options on your ballot like ballot initiatives or referendums.
When you vote, your name is recorded behind a screen and your ballot is secret. Usually, you mark an X in the white circle next to the candidate of your choice. After you’ve marked your ballot, you hand it to the election worker, who removes a tab that identifies your vote and returns your ballot to you to put in the ballot box.
In order to win a public office, a candidate must receive a plurality of the votes cast. A majority means more than half of the votes, but a plurality is sufficient to elect an MP or other local officeholder in some jurisdictions.
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