By Nikolai Karpinski [1]
BELLEVILLE – What difficulties might Loyalist College students face while trying to vote in the Oct. 19 federal election?
The Fair Elections Act [2] that was passed in February 2014 changed the requirements for Canadians to vote. The Oct. 19 election is the first to take place since the act came into effect.
Requirements for voter registration now include proof of residence along with proof of identity. In order to vote on election day, you must provide either a driver’s licence with your current address or two pieces of documentation [3], with at least one proving residency.
Many students know that moving is an inescapable part of college. I’m a Loyalist student, but I haven’t always lived in Belleville; I moved from Peterborough to attend the Loyalist journalism program [4]. And I don’t have any documented evidence that I live here – no lease, because I live in a rental apartment without one, no utility bills because I pay my share to my roommates in cash, and a driver’s licence that still lists my Peterborough address. Can I vote here in Bay of Quinte riding [5]? I decided to do some research.
It turns out I can vote here, as long as I go through the right process – the same one that other students in my situation will have to follow.
In order to register to be on the Bay of Quinte riding voters’ list I first had to update my address through the online registration [6] at Elections Canada [7]. This process was simple and took no more than 10 minutes.
The next step comes when I cast my ballot, whether on Election Day or in an advance poll. I must provide proof of residence at that time, which I learned I will have to do by bringing someone who:
- knows me;
- is registered to vote at the same polling station; and
- has his or her own proof of ID and of residence in Belleville.
This person will have to take an oath saying that I live where I do.
Under the Fair Elections Act, proof of residence is a requirement at the ballot box. You will still receive a voter registration card, but it is no longer sufficient proof of your ID or residency. Make sure you are ready when it comes time to exercise your democratic rights.
Have you experienced difficulties registering to vote locally? Are you confused about what you need to do to vote locally? Please email me at nikolaikarpinski@loyalistc.on.ca [8].