Changes to Electoral Law: Improving Election Accessibility

by Winfred Powell

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In 2025, Elections Canada will implement a series of changes aimed at increasing accessibility and participation in federal elections. Initiatives approved by Parliament in late 2024 will come into effect in preparation for the upcoming election, scheduled for October 2025.

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Among the key changes is the expansion of early voting opportunities. Early voting will now be available for 10 days, up from the previous seven, including weekends. This is especially important for residents of remote areas, where polling stations often operate on limited hours.

A new online voter registration system will also be introduced. Citizens will be able to update their information (address, name) through a secure portal integrated with tax and passport agency databases. This will reduce errors and improve the accuracy of the voter lists.

Accessibility at polling stations has been improved for people with disabilities: all polling stations in cities with populations over 50,000 must be equipped with ramps, tactile markings, and voice-activated voting machines.

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