Pen vs. pencil: Voting tool debate gains traction ahead of Canadian election
Posted Apr 21, 2025 3:59 pm.
Last Updated Apr 21, 2025 8:03 pm.
Worried their votes could be changed, some Canadians are bringing their own pens to the polls — but Elections Canada is ensuring voters there is nothing to worry about.
The federal election is just a week away, and surprisingly, one of the hottest topics has been about pencils.
Some voters have taken to social media to voice concerns, questioning whether marking a ballot with a pencil is secure enough for something as important as a federal election.
First-time voter Christian Sinon saw the debate online and made up his mind about what tool he would use to vote.
“I will use a ball pen, the ball point,” says Sinon, who was at Central Library in downtown Calgary to cast an advanced vote on Monday. “My girlfriend has one so I’m going to use it.”
Sinon says using a pen makes him feel his vote is more secure.
“Just to make sure that they won’t be able to change my vote,” he says.
Elections Canada says they are aware of the debate over pencils circulating social media, but adds there is no cause for concern.
“By law, we are required to provide the pencils,” says Leanne Nyirfa, Elections Canada spokesperson. “Sometimes pens dry out, or they can smudge and mark a ballot, so the pencils are provided.”
“But again, if you wish to bring a pen to mark your ballot, you’re certainly welcome to do that.”
CityNews spoke to some seasoned voters and most aren’t losing sleep over writing tools.
“We help other countries, you know, practice democracy,” said one voter. “I wouldn’t be the slightest bit concerned about that.”
“I don’t really understand what the problem is, because it just seems like a lot of misinformation,” says another.
I hear the concern,” another voter says. ‘But I am not too concerned about the election integrity in Canada at the moment.”
Advance voting ends on Monday, but those who miss it can still vote by mail, or head to the polls on Election Day, Apr. 28.
