What you need to know to vote

After weeks of hearing the candidates talk, it’s now time for voters to have their say.

Canada’s 43rd general election is taking place today with the polls in B.C. open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Voters in the Kelowna-Lake Country riding have seven candidates to choose from, with six candidates in the Central Okanagan-Similkameen-Nicola.

Nationally, it’s expected to be a close race to see which party forms the next government, with predictions of a minority Liberal or Conservative government.

The New Democrats, under leader Jagmeet Singh, have been surging in recent weeks, and will also be a factor in the outcome.

As for voters, returning officer Sharon Morrison says when you go to vote, the most important thing to have is bring identification with a residential address.

“It can be an official government-issued piece of ID with your residential address (such as a driver’s licence), and then you only need one piece of ID. If you only have a non-government issued piece of ID, then you need to have two things, both with your name on them, one with the address,” Morrison told Vernon Matters.

Morrison says people should also bring their voting ID (VID) card that came in the mail, as it will help the staff at the polling station determine where they go.

“The other thing people need to know is they have to be in the building where they are registered to vote, so that’s why the VID cards are good because they do tell what building to go to,” Morrison added.