Editing New Candidate Guide (section)

==== Collect Signatures ====

You must collect the names, addresses and signatures of 25 voters who live in the riding you are running in. Some people give fake names/addresses. Each Electoral District has a big electronic database of names and addresses of registered voters. There are different ways signatures get "checked". If you are in the 2 week Nomination period, it's recommended to get 45 signatures if every one who signs is a stranger. If it is well before the writ period, fill one page with 30 signatures.  You will have lots of time to get more if necessary. Your spouse, friends, children, any Canadian citizen 18 years of age or older living in that riding is eligible to sign. 

It's a good idea to wear a name tag with the Party logo and to carry Platforms for anyone who asks for more information. You will need a clipboard and a couple of pens (in case one stops working or is lost).&nbsp; Call the Party for help with Name Tags. 

There are various methods for collecting signatures:

#Knock on your neighbours' doors - even if you haven't met them before.&nbsp; Be sure to ask if there are any other voters in the home. 
#Go to a local self-serve gas station (not one on a main thoroughfare). Captive audience, time to listen. Take a riding map since they may not live in the riding, or just get extras.
#Collect signatures at a plaza/mall or outside a grocery store or the local Beer Store.&nbsp; Do not go to a large mall that tends to attract tourists. If the owner or manager of the store asks what you are doing, explain, but if he or she asks you to leave, find another location.  

Some people will be hesitant to sign. Remember when collecting signatures you are asking for for their permission for you to be on the ballot. They are not required to vote for you.

When they hand it back, make sure you can read the name and address.  If necessary, ask them to spell it for you and make it readable,  Name is not as important. It's a good idea to check the addresses and identify any that are not in your riding. If the Riding Office is open, the RO will give you a poll key that lists the streets within the riding, or you could use Google if you are confident you know the boundaries of the riding.