Election Day Today

It’s been a marathon 11-week ride, but the longest federal election campaign since 1872 is almost over as Canadians head to the polls today.

Conservative Stephen Harper is hoping to become the first prime minister since Sir Wilfrid Laurier in 1908 to win four consecutive mandates, while Liberal leader Justin Trudeau is hoping to make history himself by making the Trudeaus the first father-son duo to become Prime Minister.

Meanwhile the NDP’s Tom Mulcair is bidding to form Canada’s first national NDP government.

Most polls published over the past week showed a late Liberal surge at the expense of the NDP.  The number of seats now needed for a majority government is 170 — a number few experts expect any party to take.

If you’re wondering how and when to vote… look for the voter registration card that you should have received in the mail in the past few weeks.

Polls are open from 9:30 am to 9:30 pm — and the card will identify where your polling station is.  You can still vote after 9:30 pm if you’re waiting in line inside the building.

If you didn’t get one, you can find your polling station here and register at the polling station when you go.

To prove your identity, the easiest way to bring is a driver’s license or other government id showing your address.  But if you can’t do that, Elections Canada has a list of alternatives such as using a photo card and a bill with your address.

Tonight,  CHCH’s “Your Home Your Vote” will give you live local and national results — as well as special guests and a panel of experts.  Our coverage starts at 9 pm.