The chief the largest Mi'kmaq First Nation in the world is advising people in aboriginal communities to check ahead before they head out to vote in the federal election.

Eskasoni Chief Leroy Denny said new voter registration rules are causing some confusion and a lot of people from the community are having trouble registering to vote.

"I had a hard time," he said, adding he had to contact the Elections Canada office.

"I registered my license, my address, my postal code. It's not picking up."

Denny said a lot of civic addresses in Eskasoni aren't in the federal database, so when people go online to register with Elections Canada the system doesn't recognize their address.

People can still register in person when they show up to cast their ballot but Denny said that may create another problem.

Aboriginal people can't show just their status card as they have in the past — they now require a second ID or piece of mail with their current address.

Elections Canada going door-to-door

Adam Gould, a revising agent for Elections Canada, is trying to ensure people in Membertou are prepared for election day.

"The message we're trying to get out there is: if you intend to vote, you must be registered," he said.

Gould is going door-to-door and holding community meetings to help people register.

"I think once I explain the changes to them they have that understanding," he said.

Gould said he hasn't yet come across any large concerns about not being able to vote.

He thinks voting will go smoothy as long as people know in advance what they'll need to cast their ballots.