Today, voters across the country head to the polling stations to elect Canada’s next leader.Ìý
If you’ve legally changed your name because you got married, finalized a divorce or are transgender, it’s possible you received two voter cardsÌý— one for each nameÌý— or one voter card in a name you no longer use and may not have ID for.
Here’s how you can still vote regardless of the name printed on your card, and how to notify Elections Canada that you have legally changed your name.
What to do if you received two voter cards
An elector could have received two voter information cards if a change or correction was made to their information after their initial card was mailed out, said Nathalie de Montigny,ÌýElections CanadaÌýspokesperson in an emailed statement to the Star.Ìý
Here’s what Toronto-area residents need to know about voting in the federal election on Monday.
“If they received more than one card, we ask that they contact their local Elections Canada office,” said Montigny.
How can I still vote?Ìý
If you received a voter card only in an old name, not your current legal name, you can still vote.
If you have a piece of ID with your name and address on it and a piece of mail that shows your name and address, you can vote without a voter card.
“To vote, you must show ID accepted by Elections Canada to prove your identity and address, and you must be registered (or register at the polls) under the name and address shown on this ID.
How to update your name change with Elections Canada
There are a few reasons Elections Canada may not have received or processed a legal name change you have ID for, according to the Elections Canada website.
Elections Canada uses “several data sources to update the first and middle names of electors” but they also note that “requests sent to any other sources are not communicated to Elections Canada.”
In fact, “Elections Canada cannot validate and process any changes to your name or gender if some of these data sources have different information about you,” according to the Elections Canada website.
If you need to update your legal name or gender marker with Elections Canada, you can do so at a polling station when you go to vote or directly at your local Elections Canada office, up to one week before an election day.
Bring ID that displays your name and address and proof of name change form.
For transgender, two-spirit, and non-binary people, it’s important to note that “you can introduce yourself with your preferred name at the polling station,” according to Elections Canada. “If your preferred name is different from the name in your voter information and on your ID, a poll worker may ask you to make a declaration.
“Updating your information directly with Elections Canada ensures your name will appear correctly on your voter registration and on your voter information card.”
How to remove yourself from the National Register of Electors
Canadians who are eligible to vote can choose to be included or not in the register.
“Being in the register has several benefits — you do not have to register at every election, and you are automatically sent a voter information card telling you when and where to vote,” according to Elections Canada.
However, if you choose to opt out, while you won’t receive a voter card, you do not lose your right to vote.
“To request to be removed from the register, please write to Elections Canada. In your request, please include your name, date of birth, current home and mailing addresses, and signature,” according to Elections Canada.
“If you’ve opted out of the register and want to vote in a federal election, byelection or referendum, you must add your name to the voters list,” the organization said. You can do so by registering at your local Elections Canada office after the call of the election until 6 p.m. on the Tuesday before election day, or register at your polling place at an advance poll or on election day.
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