Humanities › Issues Who Can Vote in Canadian Federal Elections Eligibility to Vote in a Canadian Federal Election Share Flipboard Email Print Issues Canadian Government The U. S. Government U.S. Foreign Policy U.S. Liberal Politics U.S. Conservative Politics Women's Issues Civil Liberties The Middle East Terrorism Race Relations Immigration Crime & Punishment Animal Rights View More By Susan Munroe Canadian Culture Expert B.A., Political Science, Carleton University Susan Munroe is a public affairs and communications professional based in Canada. our editorial process Susan Munroe Updated March 08, 2017 To vote in a Canadian federal election you must be a Canadian citizen and be 18 or older on election day. You must be on the voters list to vote. Here's how to register to vote in a Canadian federal election. Note: Since 2002, Canadians who are at least 18 years old and inmates in a correctional institution or a federal penitentiary in Canada have been allowed to vote by special ballot in federal elections, by-elections and referendums, regardless of the length of the term they are serving. Each institution appoints a staff member as a liaison officer to help with the process of registering and voting. Who Can Not Vote in a Canadian Federal Election The Chief Electoral Officer of Canada and the Assistant Chief Electoral Officer are not allowed to vote in a Canadian federal election.