Backgrounders

The 36-Day Election Calendar

Once an election has been called, electoral activities occur in the following order during the 36 days before election day.

Issue of the writs; voting by special ballot begins	Day 36 before election day (or earlier)
Offices of the returning officers open	Days 36–32
Preliminary lists of electors sent to returning officers	Day 34
Revision of lists of electors begins	Day 33
Notice of Election published – candidates may file nominations	Day 32 (or earlier)
Preliminary lists of electors sent to candidates as they are confirmed	Day 31
Targeted revision begins	Day 28
Voter information cards mailed to all registered electors	Days 26–24
Nominations close	Day 21 (2:00 p.m.)
Confirmation of candidacies	Day 19 (2:00 p.m.) (or earlier)
Reminder cards distributed	Days 19–17
Revised lists of electors sent to candidates	Day 11
Advance polls (registration at polls permitted)	Days 10, 9, 7
Actual spending limits announced for candidates and parties	Day 7
Revision ends; deadline for special ballot registration	Day 6 (6:00 p.m.)
Deadline for special ballot voting*; election day (registration at polls permitted)	Day 0

* Special ballots must be received by the returning officer before the close of polls or at Elections Canada before 6:00 p.m., Ottawa time.

Elections Canada
257 Slater Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0M6

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

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

This publication is available in alternative formats.

February 2005