How does the process of calling an election work? Here are some interesting facts and details from Student Vote:

• The Canada Elections Act was amended in 2007 to incorporate fixed-date election legislation and general elections are now to be held on the third Monday of October in the fourth calendar year following the previous election.
• Elections can still be held earlier than scheduled if the government loses the confidence of the legislature. The governor general also retains the ability to dissolve parliament at any time on the advice of the prime minister.
• An election call is also informally known as “dropping the writ.” In order for an election to occur, the Governor General directs the Chief Electoral Officer to issue a formal order that calls for an election to be held.
• While there is no fixed date for when the writs must be issued, the amount of time between the writ drop and Election Day must be at least 36 days.

Student Vote runs student elections for students under the voting age when there are federal provincial, territorial and municipal elections. Check out the results of Student Vote Alberta.