7 things voters in Ottawa-Gatineau need to know today

Planning to cast a ballot today? Here are answers to sevenimportant questions that might come up.

1. What ID do I need to vote?

You need to prove your identity and address to vote in person, according to Elections Canada.

The agencyrecommendsyou bring your voter information card to avoid delays, but the card isn't required.

• One piece of IDis enough if it's your driver's licence or any other officially issued piece of identification either federal, provincial/territorial or local that contains your name, photo and current address.
• Alternately, you can use two pieces IDtogether like a birth certificate,library card, band membership card or credit card statement as long as one has your current address.

If you are homeless, you can still vote with a letter of confirmation from a soup kitchen or shelter, along with a piece of ID.

For more on what you need to bring with you, including a full list of acceptable ID, visit Elections Canada's website.

2. Where do I vote?

If you're registered to vote, your voter information card should show the polling station you've been assigned to.

If you lost it or left it at home, you can also look up the information onlineby entering your postal codehere.

Voters can also call 1-800-463-6868 or 1-800-361-8935 (TTY) to get the precise locations.

3. When are voting hours?

Polls are open for 12 hours everywhere in the country, but those hours are staggered so that results will come in at roughly the same time, according toElections Canada.

For example, once Ottawa-Gatineau's polls have closed, voters on the West Coast will still have a half hour left to vote leaving little time for eastern results to influence western voters.

• Pacific Time: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Mountain Time: 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
• Central Time: 8:30 a.m. to8:30 p.m.
• Eastern Time: 9:30 a.m. to9:30 p.m.
• Atlantic Time: 8:30 a.m. to8:30 p.m.
• Newfoundland Time: 8:30 a.m. to8:30 p.m.

4. Can I get time off work to vote?

Aside from very specific cases involving workers in the transportation industry, everyone who is eligible to voteis allowed three consecutive hoursto cast their ballots.

This means if you have a job in Ottawa that requires you toworkfrom 11a.m.until 7p.m. on election day, your employer is legally bound by the Elections Act to give you extra time off at the start or at the end of your shift.

You cannot be docked pay to go vote, either.

It is, however, the employer's decision as to when you're provided with that three-hour window.

5. Can I share my ballot on social media?

Not unless you want to face a possible fine or jail term.

Taking a selfie with your marked ballot and posting it on social media violates provisions of theCanada Elections Actthat safeguard the secrecy of the election. In fact, just snapping that photo is illegal;you don't even have to share it.

According to the Commissioner of Canada Elections, a fine of up to $5,000 may be imposed, or imprisonment of up to six months or both.

6. Are there special provisions if I'm disabled?

Elections Canada says they make "every effort" to find accessible locations for polling stations. Every station will have either an automatic door or an election worker available to help out.

In an effort to improve things for voterswith visual impairments, Elections Canada has increased the size of this year's ballot and has printed the names of the candidatesin a larger font. Braille and large-print ballots are also available, as are magnifying glasses.

Voters who can't fill out a ballot by themselves can have someone help them, although that person will have to swear an oath of secrecy. Election workers can also provide assistance.

7. How do I watch the results?

CBC News will carry election results live in special coverage starting at 6:30 p.m. ET, on CBC TV and streaming live atCBCNews.ca.

CBC Radio's election special starts at 7 p.m. ET.

• How to watch and listen as federal election results come in

We'll have full digital coverage on cbc.ca/ottawa as the results come in.

You can also find the latest results here.