Trustee Elections

Voter Eligibility

To be Eligible to vote:

  • You must be a Canadian Citizen
  • You must be at least 18 years of age on election day
  • You must be a resident of the 51Թ catchment for at least six months prior to election day.

Voters List Registration

The 51Թ Voters List is now CLOSED for changes or revisions. Eligible voters who are not on the list can be added at the polls. You will need to take an oath and present official identification that proves your identity and current residential address.

ID Requirements

Everyone must show ID to vote.

Voters who are not on the voters list may establish their identity and residency in the following ways:

Option 1: One (1) piece of government-issued photo ID with your current address.

Examples include:

  • Driver’s licence
  • Manitoba identification card

Option 2: Two (2) documents that include your name, one of which must contain current address.

Examples include:

  • Passport
  • Treaty card
  • Manitoba Health card
  • Social Insurance card
  • Current utility bill
  • Credit card
  • Declaration of First Nation Guarantor for Proof of Identity

Option 3: Vouching

Voters on the voters list who do not have ID may have another voter with ID from their electoral division Vouch for them.

Vouching is the practice of one registered voter affirming the identity of another registered voter who does not have acceptable ID, but wishes to vote.

If your name is on the voters list but you do not have ID, you may have another voter with ID from your electoral division vouch for you. The individual vouching must provide ID and must be on the voter’s list at their correct address.

The person vouching for you must sign an oath affirming your identity.

Vouching may be done on election day, but not during advance voting.

A voter may only vouch for one other voter.

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Am I on the voters list?

51Թ utilizes information provided by Elections Manitoba in preparing the Voters List. The voters list closed for revisions on September 22. Eligible voters who are not on the list can still vote at the polls, but may require additional ID/forms and an oath prior to being issued a ballot.

I am moving from HSD Ward 1 to HSD Ward 3 this summer. What should I do?

The 6-month residency requirement applies to the 51Թ as a whole, not to a specific ward. Because there is no minimum time requirement for a specific ward, you will vote in the ward you reside in on Election Day. If your address is not updated on the voter’s list, you will need to provide identification to confirm your address and sign an oath.

If I moved into 51Թ from another division, can I vote?

A voter who has moved into 51Թ from another school division within the past six months (after April 28, 2026) is not eligible to vote for the Office of School Trustee.
If you moved into 51Թ prior to April 28 and meet the other requirements, you are eligible to vote.

Can I have my name removed or hidden from the voters list?

You cannot have your name omitted from the master list entirely if you are an eligible voter, but you can have your personal details obscured for privacy or safety reasons (until September 22, 2026). By applying to the SEO, you will be issued a Personal Security Certificate. This gives you an identification number to protect your privacy, meaning your name and address will not appear on the list at the polling stations. Note: Voters with a security certificate must vote via Sealed Envelope Ballot.

What if I own property in the 51Թ but live elsewhere?

You cannot vote in the school board election. Under Manitoba law, while non-resident property owners are eligible to vote in municipal council elections, school trustee elections strictly require actual residency. You are only eligible to vote for a school trustee in the school division where you physically live.

What if I currently have no fixed address?

Under the Act, if you do not have a fixed residential address, your place of residence is deemed to be the shelter, hostel, or other similar institution within the division that most frequently provides you with lodging, food, or social services.

Can I still vote if my name is not on the voters list?

Yes. If you meet all eligibility requirements but find you are not on the list when you arrive at a voting place, you can be added on the spot. You will need to take an oath and present official identification that proves your identity and current residential address. Adding your name to the list ahead of time makes the experience at the polls smoother, as it skips the extra paperwork and line delays required for registration on Election Day.Yes. If you meet all eligibility requirements but find you are not on the list when you arrive at a voting place, you can be added on the spot. You will need to take an oath and present official identification that proves your identity and current residential address. Adding your name to the list ahead of time makes the experience at the polls smoother, as it skips the extra paperwork and line delays required for registration on Election Day.

What if I can't vote on Election Day?

Advance Voting: Vote in person before Election Day at the HSD Advance Poll. Check out the “Voting” tab for location and date.
Sealed Envelope Ballot: If you are unable to vote in person, you can apply to vote by sealed ballot prior to elections.  To request a Sealed Envelope Ballot, contact the SEO by email, mail, or in person. More details on the “Voting” tab. All completed ballots must be received before polls close on Election Day.