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FEDERAL ELECTION 2015

The campaign's coming to a close; soon, it's decision time. Here are the key resources we've prepared to help you make an informed choice

  • WHEN you can vote
  • WHO the party leaders are
  • WHY this election matters
  • WHERE to vote
  • WHAT happens once you get there

WHEN

When are the polls open?

Polls will open for 12 hours on Oct. 19, starting at various times across the country.

Time zonePolls open (all times local)
Newfoundland8:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m.
Atlantic8:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m.
Eastern9:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m.
Central8:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m.
Mountain/Saskatchewan7:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
Pacific7 a.m.-7 p.m.

WHO

JOHN LEHMANN/THE GLOBE AND MAIL

Who are the party leaders?

Get to know Conservative Leader Stephen Harper, New Democratic Party Leader Tom Mulcair and Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau in our profiles of the three major party leaders. (For subscribers only.)

Who's ahead in the race so far?

If you'd like to see how their parties are faring in the latest polls, check our predictive election model to see who's likely to win the most seats.

And if you want to know where the major parties have been raising their money over the years, Tamsin McMahon and Julia Wolfe have crunched the numbers on that.

Who has The Globe's editorial board endorsed?

The editorial board has endorsed the Conservatives, but says Mr. Harper should no longer lead the party, and that he should quickly resign after Oct. 19. "It is not time for the Conservatives to go," the Oct. 16 editorial reads, "But it is time for Mr. Harper to take his leave."


WHY

What are the biggest election issues?

This campaign has touched on issues affecting Canadians' everyday lives and futures in many different ways. Here's some essential reading we've prepared:

What have the parties promised?

Read our party platform tool to compare what the NDP, Liberals and Conservatives have said they'll do if elected.

Who won the debates?

Judge for yourself; here are some of the highlights. The federal leaders have squared off face-to-face several times in this campaign, but whereas past election debates were nationally televised events run by a consortium of broadcasters, this time they were independent events run by news organizations such as The Globe and Mail and Maclean's, by Toronto's Munk School of Global Affairs or by a French-language media consortium.

Aug. 6: The Maclean's debate

Highlights from the first federal leaders’ debate

2:57

Sept. 17: The Globe and Mail debate on the economy

Watch the entire Globe and Mail leaders’ debate on the economy

1:27:04

Sept. 24: The first French-language debate

Justin Trudeau and Elizabeth May reflect on debate performance

0:13

Sept. 28: The Munk Debate on foreign policy

Key moments from Munk Debate on foreign policy

3:12

Oct. 2: The second French-language debate

Harper claims that Liberal, NDP position on niqab ‘out of step’ with Canadian values

0:51


WHERE

Where's my riding?

Check The Globe's riding map to see where the ridings are and which candidates are running there. You can search for your riding by postal code. (Bookmark that link if you'd like to follow the full results live on election night.) Those ridings may look very different from the last election, as Canada has 30 more ridings now than it did in 2011; here's another map to compare the 2015 ridings with the old ones.

Once you're clear on which riding you're in, you can search Elections Canada's site to find out where your polling station is. (If you got a voter information card in the mail, it should have the address of your polling station as well.)


Voters wait at an advance poling station in downtown Toronto on Oct. 12, 2015.

Voters wait at an advance poling station in downtown Toronto on Oct. 12, 2015.

J.P. MOCZULSKI/FOR THE GLOBE AND MAIL

WHAT

What should I do ahead of time?

Make sure you're eligible to vote and registered in the right riding.

What should I bring to the polls?

You'll need ID that proves who you are and where you live. Here are the kinds of ID Elections Canada will accept. (Important: The voter information card doesn't count as ID.)

What should I expect at the polling station?

Here's Elections Canada's quick guide for first-time voters about how the polling process works.

What happens when I vote?