Hey there, future voters.
If you’re anything like me, the word “election” might conjure up images of stuffy debates, endless news coverage, and a whole lot of confusion. What – stop eye-rolling!. Elections can actually be pretty cool, especially when you know the lingo. And with THREE provincial elections this fall (hello British Columbia, New Brunswick and Saskatchewan!) there are so many opportunities to be elections demure and flex your lingo. How mindful.
So, buckle up as we dive into the wacky, wonderful world of Canadian election buzzwords, make it make sense edition. Trust me, scroll on and by the end of this, you’ll be the go-to election guru in your friend group.
Election Workers: The Unsung Heroes
First up, let’s talk about the real MVPs of any election: the election workers. Did you know that Elections Canada hires around 200,000 workers for each federal election? That’s like filling up the Rogers Centre in Toronto almost four times! And guess what? You can be one of them, even if you’re just 16 or 17 years old.
Why should you care?
- Paid gigs: Yep, you get paid for this. Plus, it’s a great way to beef up your resume.
- Flexible hours: Perfect for balancing school, extracurriculars, and your social life.
- Community involvement: You get to be a part of something bigger than yourself.
Where can you find out more? HERE
Scroll A through V (sorry no Z election buzzwords) to get a full vocabulary on all things election flex. BE MINDFUL: The language is similar but the rules are a little bit different for each provincial and territorial election, so make sure you’re checking your local Elections Authority page; for example, Advance Polls work different in each and every province and territory!!
Elections Canada goes above and beyond to make sure everyone can vote, including people with disabilities. From braille ballots to sign language interpreters, they’ve got it all.
Advance Polls: Can’t Wait? Vote Early!
Can’t make it on election day? No worries! Advance polls are open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on four days before the election. It’s like getting a head start on voting. You can cast your ballot early at special polling stations.
By-Election: The Surprise Party
A by-election is like a mini-election in just one riding that happens between general elections. Think of it as a surprise party where you still get to vote.
Coalition: Let’s Team Up!
Sometimes, political parties just can’t get enough seats to go solo, so they team up to form a coalition government. It’s like when you and your friends decide to work together on a class project because none of you can handle it alone. Coalitions don’t happen often in Canada, but when they do, it’s a big deal. Think of it like Avengers Assemble, but with politicians instead of superheroes.
Election Period: The Countdown
The election period is the time from when the election is called (writ drop) to election day. It lasts between 37 to 51 days. It’s like the ultimate countdown to the big event. The writ drop is when the election officially begins. Think of it as the starting gun in a race, signaling that it’s time to get your vote on.
Elections Canada Website: Your One-Stop Shop
For all things federal election-related, head to elections.ca. It’s got everything from how to register to where to vote. Plus, it’s non-partisan, so you know you’re getting the real deal. Also, Elections Canada offers toolkits designed to make it easy to participate in the electoral process (read: voting).
There’s an elections organization in each province and territory, so head to their official websites for more information about provincial and territorial elections!
First Past The Post
Canada’s electoral system is commonly called “first-past-the-post”. What that means is that the candidate in each riding who gets the most votes wins. Whether that candidate gets 88% of the vote, 51% of the vote, or 22% of the vote, they win if they have more votes than the candidate with the second most votes. Picture a race, where whoever runs past the finish line first wins, even if someone else is right behind them.
House of Commons: Not That Kind of House
Forget the idea of a house party. The House of Commons is where elected MPs hang out and talk (sometimes yell) about what should be done in the country. It’s like the ultimate group chat, but way less fun and with way more arguments about taxes. The party with the most MPs usually gets to form the government, and their leader becomes Prime Minister. And no, the House of Commons isn’t decorated like some grand mansion – unless you think green benches scream luxury. Though a TikTok walkthrough of the house would be cool…
Majority vs. Minority Government
Ever felt like you were stuck in a group project where one person is totally in charge? That’s a majority government. When one party wins more than half the seats in the House of Commons, they can basically do whatever they want (within reason).
On the flip side, a minority government happens when no party wins enough seats to be in charge all by themselves. It’s like a never-ending group project where everyone has to agree on stuff, or it’s just chaos. If they don’t play nice, we get another election sooner rather than later. Drama, right?
Partisan Activity: The No-No Zone
When you’re working for Elections Canada, engaging in partisan activity is a big no-no. That means no campaigning, no wearing party colors, and definitely no political memes. If you publicly support or oppose a political party, you’re partisan.
New Majority is a strictly non-partisan national non-profit; we care about making sure youth show up to the polls. Our job is to support democracy, not mess around with it.
Polling Place: Not Just a Place to Vote
A polling place is where the magic happens. It’s where you go to cast your vote, and it can be anywhere from a school gym to a community center. But did you know there are different types of polling places?
- Advance Polls: For those who can’t vote on election day, advance polls are open for four days in the week leading up to the election. They’re held at specific locations and allow early voting.
- Campus Polling Places: Special polling stations are set up on college and university campuses to make it easier for students to vote, especially if they’re away from their home riding.
- Mobile Polling Stations: These are designed to serve voters in specific places like long-term care facilities or hospitals, ensuring that those who might otherwise have difficulty leaving can still vote.
- Elections Canada Offices: Voters can cast a special ballot in person at any Elections Canada office during the election period (for a federal election). This option is available to anyone, regardless of location or reason for not voting at a regular polling station.
- Remote Polling Places: Elections Canada works hard to ensure polling places are set up even in far-flung areas of Canada.
- Regular Polling Stations: These are the most common, located in public places like schools, community centers, or churches, where voters go on election day to cast their ballots.
These various polling places ensure that all eligible voters, regardless of their circumstances, have multiple ways to participate in an election.
Registration Officer: The Gatekeeper
Registration Officers make sure you’re on the list of electors and have the right ID. They’re kind of like bouncers, except way friendlier.
Just like at a club, being on the list lets you skip some of the lines, but you can still get in if you forgot to sign up in advance. Registration Officers are there to help you register on polling day if you aren’t already registered!
Riding: Not Just for Horses
In Canada, we don’t vote for a Prime Minister directly. We vote for Members of Parliament (MPs) in 343 different areas called ridings. Think of a riding as your neighborhood, but on a much larger scale.
Fun Fact: The party with the most MPs usually forms the government, and their leader becomes the Prime Minister. So, your local vote really does matter!
Special Ballot: The VIP of Voting
Can’t make it to a polling place? No problem! You can use a special ballot to vote by mail or at an Elections Canada office. It’s like having a VIP pass to democracy. Pro Tip: Make sure to apply for your special ballot by the Tuesday before election day. Deadlines are a thing, people!
Swing Riding: Unpredictable AF
A swing riding is a riding that could go to any party in an election. It’s like that friend who can never decide where to eat and changes their mind every five seconds. Swing ridings are the hot topic of elections because they’re often the key to winning or losing the whole thing. If you live in one, congrats – you’re basically the tie-breaker.
The Throne Speech: Bow Down?
You might think of Game of Thrones, but don’t worry, this isn’t that intense. The Throne Speech is basically the government’s to-do list, read by the Governor General (the King’s rep in Canada). It’s like the opening scene of a reality TV show where the host tells you what’s going to go down this season. Will they raise taxes? Lower the voting age? Ban pineapple on pizza? The possibilities are endless (but seriously, keep the pineapple).
Voter Information Card: Your Golden Ticket
If you’re registered to vote, then about two weeks before the election you’ll get a voter information card in the mail. This card tells you where and when to vote. It can even be used as a proof of your address when you go to vote.
But don’t worry if you don’t get one or if your dog ate it – you can vote without it.
Voter Turnout: Who Actually Showed Up?
Voter turnout is just a fancy way of saying “how many people voted.” It’s like trying to figure out who actually showed up to your party, versus who stayed home and watched Netflix. Sometimes voter turnout is high, and people are excited. Other times, it’s low, and everyone’s like, “Meh, I’ll just stay home.” Spoiler alert: older people tend to vote more than young people, so if you want your voice heard, you gotta show up!
Vote on Campus: Voting Made Easy
If you’re a student, you might be able to vote right on your campus. How convenient is that? Elections Canada has special polling places set up on participating campuses across the country, making it super easy to participate in democracy without even leaving school. You’ll see New Majority canvassers at a local campus near you, making voting easy, information easy to find and most of all, fun as heck.
Wrapping It Up
So there you have it, folks! A crash course in Canadian election buzzwords. Whether you’re looking to work an election, cast your vote, or just impress your friends with your newfound knowledge, you’re now equipped with the ultimate toolkit.
Elections Canada takes election integrity seriously. From secure voting methods to transparent counting processes, they make sure your vote is safe and sound. It’s like the secret handshake that keeps democracy running smoothly. Remember, your voice matters, and now you know exactly how to use it. Happy voting!