Federal election: Advance polls open at noon, run until Oct. 12 at 8 p.m.

Advance polls open across Canada at noon today andwill be open daily from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. through to Thanksgiving Monday.

• Advance polls considered crucial in close campaign
• Spotlight on Quebec ridings

For the first time in a federal electoral race, the advance voting period has been extended from three days to four.

"It's easy to vote early on any one of the four advance voting days,"saidChief Electoral Officer MarcMayrandin a news release. "It takes most electors only a few minutes to cast their ballot."

The address of advance polling stations in each riding is printed on the back of the voter information card sent to every eligible voter's household. Voters can also find that address by plugging their postal code into the Elections Canada website, elections.ca or by calling 1-800-463-6868.

ID required, but most accepted

Voters must show their driver's licence or another piece of government-issued IDthat includes their current address.

If you don't have a driver's licence, be prepared to show two pieces of ID, atleast one of which must showyour address.

The full list of accepted identification is on the Elections Canada website. Itincludes, but is not limited to:

• health card
• Canadian passport
• birth certificate
• certificate of Canadian citizenship
• social insurance number card
• Indian status card
• Canadian Forces identity card
• Veterans Affairs health card
• old age security card
• hospital card
• label on a prescription container
• identity bracelet issued by a hospital or long-term care facility
• blood donor card
• credit card
• student identity card
• public transportation card
• library card

In addition, credit card statements, personal cheques,vehicle-ownership certificates and form letters such as income-tax assessments are acceptable, as well as e-statements, either printed or shown on a mobile device.

OTHER WAYS TO VOTE:

ON ELECTION DAY OCT. 19:At your polling station with appropriate identification.If you are registered, you should have received avoter information cardin the mail telling you where to vote. You should have received it by Oct.1. You can also use the onlineVoter Information Serviceto find out where to vote.

AT ELECTIONS CANADA OFFICES:Byspecial ballotuntil Tuesday, Oct. 13, atmore than 400 locationsacross Canada

BY MAIL:Until Tuesday, Oct. 13, you can apply tovote by mail