Manitoba polls open for Canada's 2025 federal election

Polls are open in Manitoba for Canada's 2025 federal election, after a roughly month-long campaign.

They opened at 8:30 a.m. CT and will remain open until 8:30 p.m. on Monday for voters in the province to cast their ballots and help decide who will form the country's next government.

"This is where it gets real. This is the morning of election day, what we've been working for for a number of weeks already and looking forward to, I must say," said Pierre Guérin, a polls operations manager for Elections Canada.

Based on the record number of ballots cast during advance voting, he expects a higher participation level on Monday than what has been seen in previous recent elections.

"So there may be long lineups. A good tip is that the best time to vote is probably between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., if you can make it," said Guérin, speaking at the Franco-Manitoban Cultural Centre in the St. Boniface-St. Vital riding, which is guaranteed to have a new representative.

Liberal Dan Vandal has held the seat since 2015 but is not running for re-election. 

One other riding in the province is also lacking an incumbent candidate. Conservative Larry Maguire, who has represented Brandon-Souris since 2013, has also chosen to not run again.

More than 60 candidates are on ballots across the province's 14 federal ridings.

Heading into the election, the Conservatives held seven seats, the Liberals held four and the NDP held three.

Voters can find their polling stations by checking their voter information card or using Elections Canada's online voter information service. You cannot vote anywhere else but the poll to which you've been assigned.

In order to vote, you can show your driver's licence or any other government-issued card that has your photo, name and current address, Elections Canada says.

If you don't have that, you can show any two pieces of ID that have your name. Your address needs to be on at least one of those pieces of ID. They can include your voter information card, a bank statement, a utility bill or any of a number of other options.

And if you don't have ID, you can still vote if you declare your identity and address in writing, and have someone vouch for you who knows you and is assigned to your polling station. The voucher must be able to prove their identity and address.

People who are not registered to vote can do that when they go to vote at their assigned polling station, and anyone already in line to vote by the end of voting hours will still be allowed to cast their ballot, no matter how long the line, Elections Canada says.

"[As long as] you've been there before 8:30 p.m., you can vote. If you [don't get into line until] 8:31 p.m., it's too late, unfortunately," said Guérin.

Elections Canada also answers a number of frequently asked questions on its website, including information about typical peak voting times on election day.

Still not sure who to cast your ballot for? Check out the CBC News party platform tracker, which compares the election promises of Canada's major parties, or Vote Compass, a tool developed by political scientists to help you explore how your views compare with those of the parties.

Election day coverage

CBC News election day coverage starts at 5 a.m. CT on CBC-TV, CBC News Network, CBCNews.ca, the CBC News app, CBC Gem, YouTube, or can be streamed wherever you find CBC News.

Live election day specials start with Power & Politics hosted by David Cochrane at 3 p.m. CT.

At 5:30 p.m. CT, join hosts Rosemary Barton, Adrienne Arsenault, Ian Hanomansing, Catherine Cullen and Cochrane for Canada Votes: Election Night.

The At Issue political panel of experts provides analysis and commentary throughout the night alongside former MPs and CBC News reporters, live across the country.

You can also watch Canada Votes: Election Night in American Sign Language (ASL) on CBC Gem.

On CBC Radio One and the CBC Listen app, hosts Susan Bonner and Piya Chattopadhyay are joined by reporters from across the country and a panel of political pundits to help you make sense of this crucial federal election, starting at 6 p.m. CT.

Tune in for all the results and some smart talk about the winners and losers, and what it all means for Canadians.

Download the free CBC News app for the latest alerts and election results throughout the night.