Backgrounders

Accessibility of the Electoral System

A federal electoral event is a major undertaking, with strict requirements for precision, security, confidentiality and accessibility. The Canadian electoral system has long been recognized as a model for other countries. Over the years, it has undergone many changes, making it as accessible as possible to all electors.

Continuing improvements in access

Elections Canada has worked to remove the obstacles electors may encounter at the polls by making constant improvements to administrative practices. Additional recommendations have been made by parliamentary committees that have reviewed the Canada Elections Act over the years. Amendments to the legislation in 1992, 1993, 1996 and 2000 have produced services that are better adapted to the needs of the Canadian electorate, particularly persons with disabilities.

• There are now three ways to vote: by special ballot, at an advance poll or on polling day.
  
  
• Electors can now register at the advance polls, as well as on polling day.
  
  
• The polls are open on polling day for 12 hours.
  
  
• The special ballot, through the use of a unique system of envelopes that protects the secrecy of the vote, allows Canadians to vote by mail or in person at the office of their returning officer. While all electors can use the special ballot, it is particularly useful to persons with disabilities who would have difficulty reaching a polling station (see the Elections Canada backgrounder Voting by Special Ballot for details of special ballot voting procedures and deadlines).
  
  
• Access to Government of Canada buildings to set up polling stations is guaranteed.
  
  
• All revision offices, all polling stations and all other premises used during an electoral event must have level access. Under exceptional local circumstances, the returning officer may seek specific authorization from the Chief Electoral Officer to use a polling station that lacks level access. Accessibility is indicated on the voter information card, which is sent to every registered elector shortly after the issue of the writs.
  
  
• Transfer certificates are available up to the Friday preceding polling day to allow electors with disabilities to use a polling station with level access, if their polling station does not provide level access.
  
  
• Elections Canada has modified buildings and offices used during electoral events everywhere in Canada to ensure level access. Most of these modifications are permanent.
  

• Mobile polling stations can be provided for institutions where seniors or persons with disabilities reside.
  
  
• An elector who is registered for a special ballot and who cannot go to the office of the returning officer, and who cannot mark the ballot due to a disability, may vote at home in the presence of an electoral officer and a witness.
  
  
• The term "interpreters" in the Canada Elections Act includes interpreters for persons with disabilities.
  
  
• "Permitted personal expenses" for a candidate with a disability or one who cares for a person with a disability now include expenses directly related to that disability.
  
  
• Returning officers are receiving accessibility training and awareness sessions designed to help them recognize the needs of persons with disabilities in their electoral districts.
  
  
• Public education and information programs have been put in place to make the referendum and electoral processes better known to the public, particularly those persons and groups most likely to experience difficulty in exercising their democratic rights.

Additional services provided by Elections Canada for persons with disabilities:

• information in alternative formats, such as large print, Braille, audio-cassette and diskette
  
  
• information, e-mail access and special ballot registration forms available on the Internet
  
  
• a toll-free inquiries line for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing: TTY 1 800 361-8935
  
  
• documentation specifically for persons with disabilities
  
  
• open- and closed-captioned videotapes for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing
  
  
• transportation of the ballot box from room to room to facilitate voting in hospitals and certain residential institutions
  
  
• voting template for persons with a visual disability
  
  
• assistance in marking the ballot is available at the polling station (ordinary or advance) at the request of the elector

For more information, please contact:

Elections Canada
257 Slater Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0M6

Telephone

1 800 463-6868
toll-free in Canada and the United States

001 800 514-6868
toll-free in Mexico

(613) 993-2975
from anywhere in the world

For people who are deaf or hard of hearing:
TTY 1 800 361-8935
toll-free in Canada and the United States

Fax

(613) 954-8584
1 888 524-1444
toll-free in Canada and the United States

This publication is available in alternative formats.

October 2006