What you need to know to vote

Here’s what you need to be engaged and well informed before Election Day, Oct. 19. Whomever you support, make sure you know exactly what he or she stands for and how to cast a ballot.

Who’s running and how can I vote for them?

If your political engagement ended when the elder Trudeau left power, not to worry. Maclean’s has a special election section where you can read all about the leaders, their major policy promises and more.

Elections Canada keeps track of who’s running in every neighbourhood across Canada. You can see your local candidates and learn where your polling station is on its website. All you need is your postal code.

While you’re on that site, check if you’re registered to vote in your neighbourhood. You have until October 13 to make changes online; otherwise you’ll have to update your information at the polls.

If you used your voter identification card as ID during the last election you’ll be out of luck this year. The government has eliminated this identification option, and changed many others. Check out what paperwork or identification is now accepted at the polling station so you’re not left out on Election Day.

If you’re not in town on the big day, you can still participate. Make sure to vote at an advanced poll, or by mail. Advanced polls took place October 9-12.

I want to know more…

Do you want to know what your local MP or one of the party leaders has said about a particular issue in the House of Commons? Use Open Parliament and search by politician or by topic.

Once you know what’s been said, you can check how your MP voted. To do that, check out his or her Parliamentary profile. Under ‘Work’ you can see not only how your representative voted, but statements he or she made, committee work, and legislation he or she proposed.

Or maybe you’re wondering how accurate a candidate’s claim about the economy or OAS really is. Independent, non-partisan, fact-checker FactsCan puts their claims to the test.