Have your say
With the 2025 federal election scheduled for Monday, April 28, Elections Canada is once again making it easier for postsecondary students at 120 institutions across the country to cast their ballots through the Vote on Campus initiative. Advance polls are now open at Seneca Polytechnic and York University. The polling stations are open 9 am until 9 pm Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. These early voting options are designed to accommodate the busy schedules of students, especially those who might be studying away from their home riding or unable to return home for the general election day.
At Seneca the voting location is at the Newnham Campus in building C. in the level 2 lounge. For York University students, it is at the students Centre in Convention Centre B. You do not need to be from the institution to not all you need is a valid ID. Students can find up-to-date information by visiting elections.ca and entering their school name. The Vote on Campus program is open to all eligible students who are Canadian citizens and at least 18 years old. Students don’t have to vote in the riding where their school is located. Instead, they can choose to vote for a candidate in their home riding, with Elections Canada ensuring their ballot is counted appropriately.
To vote, students will need to bring proper identification either a government-issued photo ID that shows their name and current address or two pieces of ID that together prove both name and address. Those without sufficient ID can still vote by taking an oath and having someone vouch for them, provided the other person is registered in the same riding.
The goal of Elections Canada’s campus initiative is to make democratic participation more accessible to young voters, especially students who may face barriers such as travel, time constraints, or confusion about how and where to vote.
Students are encouraged to check their registration status and update their address ahead of the April 22 deadline to ensure a smooth voting experience. More information, including full lists of accepted ID and voting options, can be found on the Elections Canada website.
This initiative is part of a broader push to increase voter turnout among young Canadians, a group that historically participates at lower rates. With voting booths just steps away from lecture halls, Seneca and York students now have a convenient opportunity to make their voices heard in this year’s election.
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