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IB FEDERAL ELECTION ELECTIONS CANADA LAYS OUT PLAN FOR PANDEMIC VOTING HERE'S WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE POLLS THIS YEAR MEGAN DELAIRE mdelaire@toronto.com Canada is headed for an with COVID-19 case num- bers on therise, voters may be anxious to know what their experience at the polls will look like. Chief electoral officer Stéphane Perrault has laid out what you can expect from Elections Canada in the 44th general election and said on Aug. 18 that election day preparations are already underway. polls, voters can expect mandatory mask- ing, physical distancing, physical barriers and sin- gle-use pencils. may also bring their pens and pencils. As a re- sult of the pandemic, Per- rault said this election will be more expensive — with an estimated cost of $612 million — and take longer to call. Elections Canada ex- pects to receive between two and five million in ballots, compared to the usual 50,000 for a federal election. The counting of in ballots won't begin ert after election day and could take between two and five days to complete Wf VOTE 2021 theifp.ca/vote2021 in some ridings. If you're still not sure what all of this means for you, we'll try to address your queries here: How strict will safety measures be at polling stations? Perrault said the mea- sures at polling stations, such as mandatory m: ask- ing ai seen in places like grocery stores, albeit in a much more controlled environ- ment. Vaccination isn't mandatory to vote in per- son, but masks are manda- tory for anyone who does not have a medical exemp- tion. Will my usual polling station be open? Voters may be assign ed polling stations that aré different from the ones they usually attend, since some locations are not available due to the pan- demi some cases, they might te located further away 01 or inanon- aaiehtaot al space, or they not mest Pall goonies ie ria. Voters should pay at- tention to their voter infor- mation card to ensure they know where to go on elec- tion day or for advance polling. Voters who have accessibility needs_ that might not be met by their assigned location should contact Elections Canada. What ifI don't want to vote in pe! Voters can register on- line at www.elections.ca or contact Elections Canada to receive a mail-in ballot kit. Any ballot io vote! isresponsible for making sure it reaches an Elections Canada office in their riding before polls close on Sept. You should mail your ballot 2 as soon as possible, Canada Post delivery on dard into account. Ifyou received a mail-in ballot and don't think it will reach your local Elec- tions Canada office in time, you can deliver it to your local office of the returning officer or wait until elec- tion day and take it to a lo- cal polling station any- where in your electoral dis- rict. How will Elections Can- ada prevent people from double voting in person a mail-in ballot? anion a voter registers for a mail-in ballot kit, their name is automatical- ly struck from a list of peo- ple eligible to vote in per- son. If that voter loses their ballot or it never arrives and they attempt to vote at a polling station, staff will know they've ‘anleoeaie for amail-in ballot and: them to swear an oath that they I have not already vot- A record will then be ADAMS) WINDOW! CLEANING & HOME MAINTENANCE Open for Business Phone ¢ Appointment ¢ Social Distance Compliant —<—= 4 : \\ Ls Leskes | kept indicating that they've voted in person. If Elections Canada staff re- ceive a mail-in ballot in that person's name, they'll know not to record both ‘Attempting to vote twice is a serious offence, and any case of double vot- will be sent to the com- missioner of Elections Canada for investigation. What can I do ifI want to vote in person but avoid crowds on election day? All registered voters Toronto Star file photo Voters can expect mandatory masking, physical distancing, physical barriers and single-use pencils when they head to the polls Sept. over 18 in Canada can cast their vote at their local ad- vance polling station Sept. 10 to 13. Eligible voters can also register to cast a spe- cial ballot at their local of- fice of the returning officer outside of advance polling days. CARPET, HARDWOOD, RUGS & TILE a carrer Barnccaner ove Floor and Home The One Store For Your Perfect Floor 26 Guelph St., Downtown Georgetown wwew.carpetone.c http:/carpetonegeorgetown.goldbook.ca 905-877- 9896 atsrosion, Ce a = Movers and Shakers Marketplace To advertise in this full colour directory please call Kelli 905-873-7162 or email kkosonic @theifp.ca WINDOWS & SIDING ‘Since 1985 WINDOWS - DOORS - SIDING ma SHUTTERS sj 2 873-0841 www.winside.ca 1H UOWEH - ll UL | GY W202 ‘92 ynGny ‘epsunyy eordyouy