Canada Elections Act (S.C. 2000, c. 9)

Marginal note:Provision of special ballot, etc.

• 213. (1) A deputy returning officer shall, on completion of the documents referred to in section 212, give the elector a special ballot, an inner envelope and the outer envelope signed by the elector.

• Marginal note:Voting on special ballot

  (2) The elector shall use the special ballot to vote by writing on it, in private, the name of the candidate of his or her choice, folding the special ballot and, in the presence of the deputy returning officer,

  • (a) placing the folded special ballot in the inner envelope and sealing the envelope; and

  • (b) placing the inner envelope in the outer envelope and sealing the outer envelope.

• Marginal note:Writing candidate’s name

  (3) The candidate shall be indicated on a special ballot by writing the candidate’s given name or initials and surname. If two or more candidates have the same name, their political affiliations shall be indicated.

• Marginal note:Spoiled special ballot

  (4) If an elector has inadvertently handled a special ballot in such a manner that it cannot be used, the elector shall return it to the deputy returning officer who shall mark it as spoiled and give an additional special ballot to the elector.

• Marginal note:Limit

  (5) An elector shall not be given more than one special ballot under subsection (4).

Marginal note:Return of vote — information

• 214. (1) The deputy returning officer shall inform an elector that, in order to be counted, the outer envelope must be received by the special voting rules administrator in Ottawa not later than 6:00 p.m. on polling day. The deputy returning officer shall inform the elector of the location of the nearest post office or mail box and of the service provided by the Canadian Forces to deliver the outer envelope.

• Marginal note:Sending the outer envelope

  (2) If the elector does not use the delivery service provided by the Canadian Forces, it is the elector’s responsibility to ensure that the outer envelope is sent to the special voting rules administrator.

• Marginal note:Postage

  (3) If the elector chooses to use a postal service, the deputy returning officer must ensure that sufficient postage is affixed to the outer envelope.

Marginal note:Voting by deputy returning officer

215. A deputy returning officer who is qualified to vote may vote in accordance with this Division.

Marginal note:Assistance

• 216. (1) If an elector is, because of a physical disability, unable to vote in the manner described in this Division, the deputy returning officer shall assist him or her by

  • (a) completing the declaration on the outer envelope and writing the elector’s name where his or her signature is to be written; and

  • (b) marking the special ballot as directed by the elector in his or her presence and in the presence of another elector selected by the elector as a witness.

• Marginal note:Note and keeping vote secret

  (2) The deputy returning officer and an elector acting as a witness shall

  • (a) sign a note on the outer envelope indicating that the elector was assisted; and

  • (b) keep secret the name of the candidate for whom the elector voted.