This story originates from audience members like you who have reached out to us. If you have questions about the election, feel free to send your inquiries to ask@cbc.ca.

In a remarkable display of civic engagement, an estimated 7.3 million Canadians participated in advance voting for the upcoming federal election during the long weekend. This figure, as reported by Elections Canada, represents a staggering 25 percent increase compared to the 5.8 million voters who took advantage of advance polls in the 2021 federal election.

Franoise Enguehard, a regional media advisor in the Atlantic region for Elections Canada, shared with CBC News that while it is still too early to determine whether this record turnout will translate to higher overall voter participation on election day, it is certainly indicative of a population that is deeply engaged in the electoral process.

As interest in the election grows, so do the questions from voters. Many Canadians have reached out through the Ask CBC News inbox with inquiries about the voting process. While CBC has already addressed several frequently asked questions, more continue to pour in as election day approaches, scheduled for April 28.

One common question is, How can I verify if my mail-in ballot has been received? Unfortunately, Elections Canada does not proactively confirm the receipt of mail-in ballots. However, voters can easily check the status of their ballots. If a voter applied online to vote from their electoral district, they can track their ballot status using the online voter registration service, utilizing the reference number provided at the time of application.

For those who applied via other means, they may inquire about their application or ballot status by calling Elections Canada at 1-800-463-6868, which is toll-free within Canada and the U.S. Voters who are deaf or hard of hearing can reach the agency at 1-800-361-8935. Its important to remember that Elections Canada can only confirm the status of a mail-in ballot once it has been received and processed, and that ballots traveling through the mail may take several days to arrive.

Additionally, for the mail-in ballots to be counted, those submitted by electors within their electoral riding must arrive at their local Elections Canada office by the close of polls on election day. Conversely, ballots sent from outside the riding need to reach Elections Canadas headquarters in Ottawa by 6 p.m. local time on election day.

Another frequently asked question concerns the lack of online voting options. Elections Canada has made it clear that there are no current plans to implement online voting, citing security concerns. The agency emphasizes that if an election were to be hacked, it could pose a significant threat to the integrity of Canadian democracy. Even if there was a desire to offer online voting, any changes would require amendments to the Canada Elections Act by Parliament.

Voters who own multiple properties often wonder, Can I vote in each riding? The answer is no; each voter is permitted only one ballot. If you reside in two locations, Elections Canada advises that you should register using the address you consider your home. There are stringent measures in place to prevent double voting. For instance, if a ballot application is approved and a voting kit is issued, the voters name is removed from the poll list.

Those who find their name struck from the list on election day will need to clarify the situation regarding their mail-in voting kit. If they did not receive their kit or misplaced it, they can still vote by swearing an oath that they have not cast a special ballot. They will then be allowed to vote, but will be recorded as having voted in-person while also having received a kit. Elections Canada will then cross-reference their records to ensure that only one ballot has been cast.

Some voters express frustration over the inability to register a protest vote if they are dissatisfied with the candidates. While certain provinces allow for a protest vote by declining a ballot during provincial elections, no such option exists in federal elections. According to Elections Canada, there is no official procedure to protest or decline a ballot. A ballot cast without selecting a candidate is deemed rejected. Similarly, if a voter marks more than one candidates name, that ballot will also be rejected.

Interestingly, some individuals have historically attempted to publicly protest on election day. In the year 2000, for instance, Marika Warner famously blended her federal election ballot into a smoothie as a form of protest at an Edmonton polling station. This act, however, was considered an offense under the Elections Act, and she, along with other members of the Edible Ballots Society, faced charges for destroying their ballots, though those charges were eventually dropped.

Lastly, a question often posed is whether a vote will still be counted if a voter is in line when the polls close. The answer is a resounding yes. Elections Canada assures that all electors in line at the end of voting hours will be permitted to cast their votes, regardless of how long they have waited. To avoid long lines, it is advisable to vote between noon and 4 p.m., as these hours typically see less traffic compared to the busy early morning and post-4 p.m. rush.