Municipal elections will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 24.
This year an important change has come to both Rural and Urban Municipalities regarding casting votes at the upcoming election. In March of this year it has been made mandatory to present a valid form of Saskatchewan identification in order to vote in all following municipal elections. It must confirm one's identity and place of residence to receive a ballot.
Photo ID is considered the best option. This includes a valid Saskatchewan Driver's Licence, valid Saskatchewan ID card, or any other valid government issued ID as long as your name and address appears. This means a passport is not acceptable as a piece of photo ID as each individual writes in their own address once the passport has been obtained.
A Saskatchewan ID card is available through any motor licence issuer and is valid for five years.
If unable to produce photo ID in order to place a vote one must present two pieces of identification with your name and address on them. This includes all valid ID issued by the Canadian or Saskatchewan government, a Saskatchewan municipality or school division, a Saskatchewan Indian band, the Metis Nation of Saskatchewan, or a representative agency of those listed above.
Other forms include bank or credit card statements, utility bills within six months of the date of election, or a personalized attestation of residence, letter of stay or admission form issued by a seniors or student residence, long term care, or shelter facility.
Finally the third option is for a qualified voter to vouch for a person without ID. The qualified voter is only able to vouch for a single person and must fill out a very specific form concerning this. Someone who has been vouched for is unable to confirm the identity of another voter. Candidates, candidate's agents, and election officials are not able to vouch for anyone hoping to vote.
Get involved, learn who your candidates are, and remember to vote on Oct. 24 or find out when the advanced poll will be held for your municipality.
