You don't need a voter card to cast a ballot and other election day facts

With Winnipeg's civic election here, voters may have questions about the voting process.

Who's allowed to vote? What do you do if a disability prevents you from filling out a ballot? Can you vote if you're not registered? What kind of identification do you need to have — and what if you don't have any?

If you didn't already cast your ballot at advance polls, here's what you need to know before voting.

What can I vote on?

Three things: Winnipeg's next mayor, a city councillor and school trustees.

You also don't have to vote for all those positions — if there's no one you want to vote for in any category, you can leave that spot on your ballot blank. 

And while you're allowed to vote for anywhere from one to four school trustees (depending on where you live), you can choose fewer than that, too.

How do I know which ward I'm in?

You can enter your home address here to figure that out.

That search will tell you which city council ward you live in, plus the school division ward you're in.

It will also tell you where you can vote on election day.

Who can I vote for?

For mayor, you have 11 options. You can read more about what each candidate is promising here.

For councillors, you can read more about who's running in your area by clicking on CBC Manitoba's ward profiles below.

For school trustees, you can see the full slate of candidates on the city's website.

Can I vote?

Yes, if you meet the following criteria.

If you're a Canadian citizen, have been a resident or property owner in Winnipeg for at least six months and are at least 18 by Oct. 26, you're eligible to vote for mayor and your ward's councillor. 

If you're all those things and a resident of your school division ward on Oct. 26, you can also vote for school trustee. More details about determining residency are listed on the city's website. 

What kind of ID do I need?

You have two options.

The first is to show a government-issued piece of identification with your photo, name and address on it, like a driver's licence or enhanced identification card.

• Read more from CBC on the 2022 Winnipeg election

The second option is to show two pieces of identification that together prove your name and address.

Both of these need to have your name on them, but only one has to have your address. For this option, you can use things like credit card statements, utility bills or voter's notices — or a number of other options, listed here.

Can I vote if I don't have ID?

Yes, but you need to take an oath. This option is for people who don't have a fixed address, like those experiencing homelessness.

In this case, the voter is deemed to live at the shelter, hostel or similar institution that most often gives them a place to stay, food or social services.

According to Manitoba's Municipal Councils and School Boards Elections Act, a person's oath regarding that place is conclusive, as long as there's no evidence to the contrary.

Do I have to vote in person?

Not necessarily — you might be able to vote by sealed envelope ballot, but you had to apply to do so by the deadline.

The option is available for people in a few different situations, such as they can't get to the polling station because of a disability. The full list of reasons someone could vote this way is on the city's website.

If you didn't apply for the sealed envelope package by Oct. 14, you needed to make alternative arrangements with the city clerk's department to get one.

And no matter when you applied for it, you need to return your ballot to the senior election official in the city clerk's department — not a polling location — before voting closes at 8 p.m. on Oct. 26.

You had to apply for this option by Oct. 23 at 4:30 p.m. More details about the process are available on the city's website.

What if I have a disability that means I can't fill out a ballot?

You have a few different options, depending on what you need.

One is a braille template, which is available in all voting places.

Voters can also ask an election officer or someone they bring with them to help.

But anyone who helps someone vote needs to take an oath at the voting place — and no one other than election officers is allowed to help more than a total of two voters.

Can I still vote if I'm not registered on the voters list?

Yes. 

As long as you meet the criteria for voting, you can cast a ballot by presenting your identification and taking an oath at the voting place.