Lesson 7: The Voting Process

Opening Discussion Have you ever voted for something before? How was the winner decided? Did you think the process was fair? Why or why not?

Who is eligible to vote? To be eligible to vote in provincial elections, you must: –Be at least 18 years of age by election day, –Be a Canadian citizen, –Have lived in P.E.I. for at least six months before the government called the election.

How do I receive a ballot? When you arrive at your polling station, the deputy returning officer will ask your name and the poll clerk will check for your name on the official list of electors. –If your name is on the list, you will be issued a ballot to vote and your name will be crossed off the list. –If your name is not on the list, you will be required to give your full name and address, and take an oath prior to being provided with a ballot.

How does the voting process work? 1.The poll clerk writes the name of the voter in the poll book, 2.The deputy returning officer gives the voter a folded ballot, 3.The voter marks their ballot behind a voting (privacy) screen, 4.The voter returns their folded ballot to the deputy returning officer to check that it is a valid ballot, 5.The deputy returning officer either places the ballot in the ballot box or returns the ballot to the voter so they may place it in the ballot box.

How do I mark my ballot? A ballot lists the names of the candidates and their party association running in your electoral district. Voting is done by secret ballot. No one except the voter knows the choice that was made. The voter must clearly mark the ballot for their single preference for it to be valid (e.g., checkmark, X, shading in).

Rejected and Spoiled Ballots A rejected ballot is a ballot that cannot be counted because it was not properly marked. (For example, your ballot is rejected if you try to vote for more than one candidate) A spoiled or cancelled ballot is one that was kept separate and never placed in the ballot box because it was mistakenly marked or torn and exchanged for a new ballot.

What are advance polls? Electors who are away, busy or unable to vote on election day, have the option of participating in advance polls. Advance polls are held prior to election day. In P.E.I. provincial elections, advance polls are held on the Saturday, the 9th day before election day, on Monday, the 7th day before election day and on Friday, the 3rd day before election day (Monday).

Final Thoughts Are you ready to vote? Why or why not? What else do you want to know or research before making your decision? How can you encourage eligible voters that you know to cast their ballot?