Get Ready, Canada: The Countdown to April 28!

Mark your calendars, because April 28, 2025, is set to be a monumental day for Canada! Voters will decide whether Prime Minister Mark Carney and the Liberal Party keep their grip on power, or whether Pierre Poilievre and the Conservatives will make a triumphant return after nearly ten years in the shadows.

Who's Voting and What's at Stake?

Almost every Canadian citizen is eligible to cast their ballot on voting day, including those behind bars and citizens abroad. The only notable exception? The chief electoral officer, who oversees the election process, doesn’t vote to maintain impartiality. Similarly, the governor general abstains from voting to uphold tradition and avoid any political bias.

Canadians will be voting for their local representatives in the House of Commons, which will expand to 343 members this election due to population growth. With a “first past the post” system in place, the candidate with the most votes in each district wins—no majority needed!

How to Cast Your Vote!

Most citizens have already received a helpful mail card indicating where to vote and offering four days of advanced voting starting Friday. Elections Canada has also set up a user-friendly online service for anyone facing issues with their voting card.

If you’re outside Canada or traveling on election day, don’t worry! You can apply for a mail-in ballot until Tuesday—just remember to hand it in at any election office. But beware: ballots arriving after 6 p.m. Eastern on voting day will not be counted!

Who Will You Choose?

Alongside the Liberals and Conservatives, the New Democratic Party (NDP) is running candidates across most federal districts, despite their declining popularity. The Bloc Québécois will only appear in Quebec, continuing their regional focus.

It's interesting to note that Prime Minister Carney is not currently a member of Parliament; he was recently elected leader of the Liberal Party and is now contesting his very first election!

When Will We Know the Results?

Election night is thrilling! Polls close at staggered times, with most wrapping up at 9:30 p.m. Eastern, while British Columbia extends to 10 p.m. Eastern. Expect the first results to trickle in almost immediately after polls close, thanks to the use of paper ballots counted by hand—no counting machines here!

Despite the hopeful early numbers, the final tally may take a bit longer to confirm, especially as mail-in ballots and special ballots from military personnel and citizens abroad are counted after voting day.

Everything You Need to Keep Track Of!

Stay tuned, as the election unfolds and Canada decides its future! Prepare for a night filled with excitement, debates, and perhaps even unexpected twists in the political landscape.