Calling all eligible voters: you can vote right here on campus for the 2025 federal election, regardless of your home riding. 

Following on the success of the student-run polling station for the provincial election, McMaster University has teamed up with Elections Canada to offer a polling station on campus both during a special Vote on Campus period (April 13-16) and on election day (April 28). 

Adrienne Davidson, assistant professor of political science and part of the team who helped bring the polling station to campus, said the initiative is aimed encouraging voter turnout. It is especially important to reduce barriers to students, given the timing of the federal election at the end of the academic year.  

“We want to show our commitment to democracy and civic engagement by making it as easy as possible for the McMaster community to cast their vote,” said Davidson.  

“So swing by the polling station between exams or meetings and drop in your ballot. Let’s get out the vote!” 

Who can vote? 

From April 13 to 16, all eligible voters – students, faculty and staff – can vote at the campus polling station, regardless of where they live. You do not have to live in the Hamilton West-Ancaster-Dundas riding. You will be issued with a special ballot, which will let you cast your vote for your home riding. Elections Canada staff will guide you through this process. 

On election day (April 28), voters who live in the Hamilton West-Ancaster-Dundas riding can vote at the campus polling station. This includes students living in residence. 

You are eligible to vote if you are 18 years of age or older on election day and a Canadian citizen. To check whether you are registered to vote, visit the Elections Canada website. 

What do I need to vote? 

You need either: 

• A piece of government-issued ID with your address. 

• Your student card (or any other official ID without an address) along with a document such as a bank statement or utility bill showing your name and address. 

You can check the list of accepted IDs on the Elections Canada website. 

If you are a student who lives in residence and you want to vote in Hamilton West-Ancaster-Dundas, you should either: 

• present ID or a letter that shows a university (Hamilton West-Ancaster-Dundas) address, or 

• complete a “confirmation of residence” form, which has to be signed by a residence administrator. These forms will be available at your residence, and at the polling station. 

Details 

When: Early voting period April 13 from 12pm – 6pm, and April 14, 15, 16 from 9am – 9pm; Election day polling April 28, 9:30am-9:30pm. 

Where: LRW1003 (The Community Room), L.R. Wilson Hall, McMaster University. 

The on-campus polling location is an initiative of CIVDEM@Mac.