Don't miss out on this chance to exercise your right

As the Oct. 14 federal election day draws near, this election is shaping up to be a real horse race – or should we say skidoo race – in Nunavut.

Your vote is always important, but in a close election like this one, it could be decisive.

That's why you'll want to make sure not only that you make it out to your polling station, but also that you'll actually be able to vote when you get there.

One of the most important things to know is that recent changes to the federal Election Act mean you need serious proof of identification at the poll before you can vote.

According to the act, you have three options:

• Option 1 – Make sure you have at least one original piece of identification issued by the government or a government agency that contains your name, your address, and a photograph of yourself. This could be a driver's licence, for example.
• Option 2 – If you don't have any photo ID, then you'll have to provide two separate and original pieces of identification. One piece should have your name on it and one piece should have your name and address on it. Library cards, hospital cards and health cards qualify, as do hunting or fishing licences, or a legion membership.

A Canadian passport would not be enough in itself to meet option 1, because although it has your photograph, it doesn't have your address.

But it would qualify as one of the two documents for option 2, as long as the other document has your address as well as your name.

Even a bank or credit card statement, or a hydro bill, will qualify as the second document in option 2. So will an insurance policy, or a government cheque or cheque stub. As long as it has your name on it, and one of the two pieces has your address too.

A full list of the types of identification authorized by Canada's Chief Electoral Officer can be found on the Elections Canada website at: www.elections.ca.

The same information is also available in Inuktitut at: www.elections.ca/ele/ids/lang/Inuktitut.pdf.

• Option 3 – If for some reason you can't meet either of those two options, don't despair. You still have one more chance.

Just make sure you go to the polling station with a friend, relative or someone you know who is on the list in your polling division and has proper identification.

You can swear an oath right at the polling station, as long as your fellow elector is willing to vouch for you.

You should, by now, have received a voter registration card in the mail.

But if you didn't get one, you might want to call Elections Canada ahead of time to make sure you're on the list, Elections Canada spokesperson David Rutherford says.

The number for the Nunavut office is 1- 866-564-6483, where returning officer Bernice Neufeld says she is doing her best to produce a complete and up-to-date voting list by election day.

But there's no such thing as perfection.

If you don't get it done ahead of time, says Rutherford, he doesn't recommend it, but "you can still register right at the polling station on voting day."

"Just remember to bring your proper identification," he adds, "whether you're already registered or not."

On the other hand, if you're one of those decisive people who has already made up your mind about who to vote for, advance polls are available from noon to 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 3, Saturday, Oct. 4 and Monday, Oct. 6.

Advance ballots are kept sealed until the counting begins at the close of voting Oct. 14.

And make sure you know where the polling station is in your community.

Call the number above at the Nunavut riding office, or just leave it to chance and ask somebody on the street. It's sure to be common knowledge. Polls are open from 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. in the Eastern time zone, and from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Central time zone.