City hall is making it easier to vote in this fall’s municipal election by changing how mail-in ballots work, which should help voters who are afraid to leave their home because of the pandemic.
Normally voters who choose to cast their ballot using the mail-in process would have to visit city hall and make a declaration of their identity, so election officials could ensure those people are who they say they are. This method helps prevent voter fraud or fraudulent impersonations.
Due to the pandemic, and to avoid the requirement for voters to leave their homes and come downtown, city council has agreed to relax the regulations of who can attest to a voter’s identity and who can sign the form as a witness.
During its recent regular meeting, council unanimously gave three readings to an election bylaw amendment that would expand voters’ ability to apply for a mail-in ballot by increasing the number of persons authorized to witness the voter’s registration form and declaration of the person requesting a ballot. These actions would remove the need for the voter requesting the mail-in ballot to visit city hall and have municipal officials witness the form.
For example, family members could vouch for a voter as long as relatives have known the voter for at least two years and are also eligible to vote in the election.
“The precautions are still in place for people who get a mail-in ballot. (They) will have still to provide a photocopy or fax or email with their photo ID and signature, and they will have to sign a declaration that will be witnessed,” explained city clerk Myron Gulka-Tiechko. “We will have an ability to cross-check the signature with the ballot that comes by the election date.
“The checks and balances are still there, but the ability for people to make application is being relaxed, particularly because of COVID,” he added.
Election officials have been monitoring the coronavirus pandemic and its possible effect on the 2020 municipal and school board elections, a report to council explained. Officials have also been working with the Ministry of Government Relations, Elections Saskatchewan and other municipalities to develop processes and address changes required to aid the election, while protecting the health and safety of election workers and voters.
The pandemic could affect voter turnout as voters might not feel safe visiting a polling station in person, the report continued. To address this concern and increase voter participation, election officials recommended amendments to the election bylaw so voters could exercise their right to vote in other ways.
These amendments have also been made possible after the provincial government made legislative changes to this process.
The next regular council meeting is Monday, Aug. 24.
