It’s election time in Canada, and citizens of this country—both those born into citizenship and those who have gained it—are getting ready to vote. If you are a new citizen, then that means you!

First of all, congratulations on becoming a Canadian. The right to vote is undoubtedly one of the most important rights that come with your newly obtained citizenship. With the looming federal election, you might have some questions about how to vote for the first time—and you are not alone.

According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), more than 356,000 people became new citizens in 2024. While these people can all legally vote for the next federal government, research shows that new citizens have a lower turnout rate in elections due to issues with the electoral process. New citizens, with the help of election guides, could very well be a strong force in the country’s democratic process.

I came to Canada as an international student almost a decade ago. After graduating from university, I decided to make Canada my forever home. I became a proud Canadian in 2024.

Like many other naturalized citizens, I was excited to vote when the 2025 Ontario election was called. But I did not know where to start. Having spent hours on Google, I eventually figured out the differences between Elections Canada and Elections Ontario. I then opted for voting by mail online and received my voting kit within the week. I marked my ballot and mailed it back by dropping off the prepaid envelope that came with my kit at a Canada Post near me.

The voting process itself was fairly painless—but the information-gathering process was not. Based on my experience, both Elections Canada and Elections Ontario’s websites are packed with information, which can be intimidating when all you desire is a simple step-by-step guide.

So here is a simple 12-step guide to voting in the federal election.

  1. 1. Figure out if you are eligible to vote. To vote you must meet all three of these criteria
  2. Check if you are registered to vote. You can do that here. Since you just became a citizen, you might not be registered to vote yet.
  3. If you are registered to vote, you should receive a voter information card in the mail three weeks before election day.
  4. If you are not registered to vote, you can do so at this link. The registration process can be in English or French. If you are not yet comfortable in either of Canada’s official languages, make sure to do this step with help from a friend or family member. Registering as a voter ensures you will get a voter information card that tells you when and where to vote.
    • a. If you miss the registration deadline, or you do not have the voter information card, you can still vote on election day by proving your identity and address at your assigned polling station.
    • b. You can also register to vote at any Elections Canada office or your assigned polling station by proving your identity and address when the election is underway.
  5. You can vote early by mail (in what is called a special ballot), in person at your assigned polling station on advance polling days, or at any Elections Canada office. There might be other options to vote, depending on your situation, as explained here.
  6. You can vote on election day at your assigned polling station. Find your assigned station online, on your voter information card, or by calling Elections Canada at 1-800-463-6868.
  7. Find out who your candidates are here. Enter your postal code in the search bar, then click on “Candidates” in the middle of the top bar. Do your research on your candidates, their political parties and their priorities for your community and for Canada.  
  8. On election day, head to your assigned polling station when it is convenient for you. Make sure to check when the polls close in your province.
  9. Once you are at the polling station, you will be directed to a station where you are identified and checked off the voter list. You will then be asked to go behind a privacy screen to mark your ballot.
  10. Mark an “X” beside the name of your chosen candidate. Usually, you are asked to put an “X” inside a white circle next to the candidate’s name.
  11. Once you have marked your choice with an “X”, you will take your ballot to the designated poll official.
  12. The poll official will tear off the ballot number and give your ballot back to you so you can put it in the ballot box.

If you are a new citizen reading this blog, or if you are otherwise voting for the first time this year, I hope it has helped you navigate the process. Congratulations on using your right to vote!