Election vocabulary

Ballot: A piece of paper used to vote in an election.

Ballot box: A box with a narrow slot on top into which voters place their ballots.

Campaign: The time before an election when political parties and candidates explain their ideas and try to convince people to vote for them. In a federal election, the campaign lasts for 36 to 50 days.

Platform: A political party’s platform describes how it would work on important issues.

Political party: A group of people who share ideas and goals. The party’s purpose is to have its candidates elected, form a government and make lasting changes to help the country do well.

Polling station: The place where you go to vote.

Returning officer: The person in charge of organizing the election in an electoral district.

Voter: A Canadian citizen who is at least 18 years old on election day.

Voting screen: A cardboard barrier behind which voters mark their ballot in secret.