Elections Manitoba

Absentee Voting

You can vote in a Manitoba election or byelection from anywhere in the world if you are eligible to be an absentee voter.

Eligible voters can vote by absentee ballot if they expect to be:

• outside Manitoba on advance voting days and on election day
• inside Manitoba but at a location significantly distant from any advance polling place and from their regular polling place on election day

Who should apply?

• Snowbirds
• Business and vacation travellers
• Students - special information for post-secondary students
• Canadian Armed Forces members
• Re-located workers
• Those in remote areas

How do I apply?

When an election is called, you can apply online or at your local Elections Manitoba office.

Another option is to complete the application form (PDF, 370.3 KB) and return it with acceptable ID.

Am I ELIGIBLE?

In order to be an eligible absentee voter, you must:

• be a Canadian citizen
• be 18 years of age on or before election day
• have resided in Manitoba for at least six months immediately before election day*
• intend to be away for no more than six months

*Special circumstances
The following individuals can still vote even if they have been away longer than six months, as long as they intend to return to live in Manitoba:

• Canadian Armed Forces members
• Students attending school outside Manitoba - Special Information for Post-secondary Students
• Individuals working with the Manitoba or Canadian government
• Anyone living with the above

Important Dates

The second Friday before election day
Try to apply before this date. Otherwise, you might not get the absentee ballot in time to return it. If you apply after this date, you might want to pay for faster delivery service. If uncertain, talk to your returning officer.

The Saturday before election day
The returning office cannot accept an application after this date.

8 p.m. on election day
The deadline for returning ballots to the returning office.