1920

Dominion Elections Act consolidates Parliament’s control of federal franchise, introduces advance voting and establishes post of Chief Electoral Officer.

1921

First federal election at which women vote on the basis of the universal franchise.

1930

Government of R.B. Bennett introduces standing voters list to replace enumeration, but abandons the approach as impractical and expensive after one election.

1940

Women gain the provincial franchise in Quebec.

1948

Disqualifications on the basis of race eliminated from federal electoral law.

1955

Last vestiges of religious discrimination removed from federal elections act.

1960

Government of John Diefenbaker extends the franchise unconditionally to "registered Indians".

1970

Voting age lowered to 18; 18-year-olds vote for the first time in 1972 general election.

1982

Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms entrenches the right to vote.

1992

Bill C-78 formalizes measures to ensure access to the vote for people with disabilities.

1993

Introduction of special ballot (Bill C-114) permits voting by anyone who can’t vote on election day or at an advance poll, including Canadians living or travelling abroad.

1996

National Register of Electors (Bill C-63) eliminates door-to-door enumeration. Bill also introduces longer and staggered voting hours.