Voters can cast advance ballots on Friday, Saturday, Monday

Voters who can't make it to a federal election polling station on Oct. 14 have three chances over the next few days to cast their ballots ahead of time.

Advance polls will be set up Friday, Oct. 3, Saturday, Oct. 4, and Monday, Oct. 6, between noon and 8 p.m. local time.

The locations of the polling stations are listed on the back of voter information cards mailed to voters, said Elections Canada.

Voters can also find the locations on the agency's website, elections.ca, in the Voter Information Service section under the When can I vote in advance? link. 

"It takes most voters only a few minutes to cast their ballot. If you are not already on the list of electors, you may register to vote at your advance polling station, provided you bring valid identification," said Chief Electoral Officer Marc Mayrand in a press release.

The federal election falls on the first day of the week-long Jewish holiday of Sukkot, and Elections Canada sent out a letter alerting Jewish groups of the conflict.

"We understand that this important festival is being celebrated on Oct. 14 and that Jewish Canadians have concerns about how they will be able to cast their ballots," wrote Mayrand.

"We want them to know that they can choose a method of voting that respects their individual circumstances."

Voters can also submit their vote in the mail, but must register for that option by Oct. 7.

Elections Canada states that in order to be eligible to vote in the federal election, a person must be a Canadian citizen 18 years of age or older and fulfil one of the three options:

• Show one original piece of government-issued identification containing one's photo, name and address, such as a driver's licence.
• Show two original pieces of identification authorized by the chief electoral officer. Both must have one's name and one must also have one's address, such as a health card and hydro bill.
• Swear an oath and be vouched for by an elector, such as a neighbour or roommate, who is on the voters list in one's polling division and has an acceptable piece or pieces of identification. The elector who vouches for the person must also swear an oath.

Elections Canada said Tuesday that Canadians wearing coverings over their faces, such as a burka, will not be required to remove them to vote if they swear a special oath to affirm their identity and eligibility.