Welcome to the Voter Guide for 2025 Municipal Election By Happy City St. John’s.
This guide provides comprehensive information to assist voters throughout the election process.
Who Can Vote?
You are eligible to vote in the election if you meet the following criteria:
- You are a Canadian citizen
- You are 18 years of age or older
- You have ordinarily resided in the City of St. John's for at least 30 days prior to election day
- For a Ward by-election, you must also ordinarily reside within the Ward where the election is being held.
What do you mean by “ordinarily reside”?
Section 24 of the Municipal Elections Act defines your ordinary place of residence:
- A person shall be a resident of the place where he or she lives and sleeps and to which, when absent, he or she intends to return.
- Residency is not lost by a person who leaves that residence for temporary purposes only.
- The place where a person's family resides shall be his or her residence unless that person commences and continues to live at some other place with the intention of remaining there, in which case, the person shall be considered to be resident in the place in which he or she intends to reside. A person shall, for the purpose of this Act, have only one place of residency.
What ward do I live in?
Check out the Ward Look Up and enter your civic address to determine the ward you live in.
How Does Vote by Mail Work?
Before election day, all registered voters will receive a Vote-by-Mail Kit. Follow the instructions provided in the kit to cast your vote:
- Mark your ballot and place it inside the secrecy envelope.
- Complete the declaration form as required.
- Insert both the sealed secrecy envelope and the declaration form into the yellow return envelope.
- Mail the return envelope by the deadline indicated in the voting instructions to ensure your vote is counted.
Am I on the Voters List?
The City relies on the permanent list of electors provided by Elections NL. If you have recently moved and/or reached the voting age of 18, you may not be on the voters list. To determine if you are on the list and/or to register if you are not, the City uses a voter look-up/registration portal during an election.
Residents eligible to vote in an election or by-election that require assistance in registering to vote can email the Elections Coordinator at election@stjohns.ca.
Will My Ballot Remain Secret?
Yes, your ballot will remain confidential. The Vote-by-Mail process includes several security measures to ensure the secrecy of your vote is protected.
As vote-by-mail returns are received, election staff separate the Voter Declaration Form (VDF) from the sealed secrecy ballot envelope. The VDF is scanned to register that you have voted. The secrecy envelope remains sealed and is securely stored until election day.
Access to the sealed ballots is strictly limited, and only the Election Coordinator holds the key to the secure storage area.
Will the ballots be counted as they are received?
No. All returned secrecy envelopes containing the ballots will be stored in a secured area until election day.
Can I Vote on Election Day at a Satellite Drop-Off Centre?
Yes, you can. However, voters are encouraged to vote by mail or use the drop box located outside City Hall to return completed ballots.
If you prefer, eligible voters may also cast their ballots at a satellite drop-off centre within their ward on Election Day, between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.
If you plan to register to vote at a satellite drop-off centre, be sure to bring acceptable identification with you.
What Is Considered Acceptable Identification?
To register as a voter or to vote at a satellite drop-off centre, you must provide valid identification. You may provide:
Option 1: One piece of government-issued ID
- Must show both your name and address (e.g., valid driver’s licence or other official government-issued ID)
OR
Option 2: Two pieces of ID that together confirm your name and address
Examples include:
- Bank statement
- Birth certificate
- Blood donor card
- Canadian passport
- Certificate of Canadian citizenship
- Credit card or debit card
- Government-issued payment stub
- Health card / MCP
- Hospital or long-term care identity bracelet
- Income tax assessment
- Confirmation of residence letter (from a residential facility manager/owner)
- Library card
- Mortgage, lease, or tenant agreement
- Prescription label
- Property tax assessment
- Public transportation card
- Social insurance number card
- Student ID card
- Utility bill
- Vehicle registration, insurance certificate, or policy
Be sure that the documents you present clearly show your name and address.
What if I don't have any identification but want to vote?
Visit City Hall up until the Monday immediately before the election or a satellite drop-off centre on the day of the election to complete an affidavit swearing or affirming your identity and place of residence. Once the form is signed and witnessed by an official, you will receive a vote-by-mail kit to cast your vote.
What Should I Do If I Didn’t Receive My Vote-by-Mail Kit?
If you haven’t received your vote-by-mail kit by two weeks before Election Day, here’s what you can do:
- Contact or visit Access St. John’s.
Vote-by-mail kits will continue to be mailed out until one week before the election to allow time for return by mail. After that point, kits must be picked up in person with acceptable identification. - On Election Day, you can also visit a satellite drop-off centre in your ward with acceptable ID to receive a kit and cast your vote.
When Is the Deadline to Mail My Vote-by-Mail Kit?
To ensure your vote is counted, your completed vote-by-mail kit must be mailed via Canada Post by the Wednesday before Election Day.
Please note: This date is based on Canada Post delivery standards and is subject to change.
What If I Miss the Canada Post Deadline to Return My Vote-by-Mail Kit?
If you miss the mailing deadline, you can still cast your vote by:
- Dropping off your completed declaration and ballot in the secure drop box located in front of City Hall, available 24/7 until 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.
- Visiting a satellite drop-off centre in your ward on Election Day, between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., to submit your completed kit.
When will official results of the election be released?
Election results will be released at City Hall and on this website as they become available any time after 8 p.m. on election day.