Just as in the recent provincial and federal elections, voters will need proper identification in order to vote in the municipal elections this fall.
New voter ID rules have come into effect for the 2012 municipal election, and local election officials in the Battlefords want voters to be aware of them so no one will be surprised at the polls on election day.
According to the province's new requirements listed on the department of municipal affairs website, the best option for voters is to produce acceptable photo identification. It must be government-issued, valid and feature a photo, name and address.
Examples include: a valid Saskatchewan driver's licence, or a valid Saskatchewan ID card issued by SGI or any motor licence issuer or any other valid government-issued photo ID so long as itincludes a name and address. If you do not currently have photo identification you can acquire non-drivers photo ID from SGI.
According to North Battleford City Clerk Debbie Wohlberg, the best bet for voters is to bring proper photo ID.
"Photo ID is your best," said Wohlberg. "If you have photo identification, it shows your photo, your name and address and you're good to go."
Note a Canadian passport is not considered acceptable as photo ID on its own, because it does not contain a street address. However, it can be used as identification if paired with another document that has both a name and street address on it.
If you don't have photo identification and are unable to obtain photo ID before election day, you can present two other pieces of information, as long as both contain your name and at least one contains your street address.
The examples listed by the province include: valid ID cards or certificates issued by the Canadian or Saskatchewan government, a Saskatchewan municipality or school division, a Saskatchewan Indian band,the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan or an agency of one of these entities; personal correspondence, benefit/contribution statements and tax/assessment notices issued by any of the above entities; bank/credit union cards, credit cards and statements; utility bills and statements issued within six months of the date of the election; and personalized attestation of residence, letter of stay or admission form issued by a seniors or student residence, long term care or shelter facility.
The more rigorous voter ID requirements should come as no surprise to voters, as they have been in place for the recent provincial and federal elections. However, this is the first municipal election in Saskatchewan under the new ID rules.
According to Battleford Town Administrator Sheryl Ballendine, the main concern is for people to know the new rules in advance so things will go smoothly at the polls on election day.
"The biggest concern is to make it more efficient at the polls," said Ballendine. "We are encouraging people to get their ID and remember to bring it, before they show up."
The stickiest issue for voters will be making sure the ID they present will meet the proof of residency requirements under the new rules.
Ballendine points out that for Town of Battleford voters, it is important to note the ID they produce must contain their street address and not simply their post-office box number.
Battleford voters should double-check their photo ID and make sure their street address is displayed on it before they vote. If not, those voters will be required to present two pieces of information that both contain your name, with at least one stating your street address.
However, it should be pointed out that most photo ID issued these days does require the street address to be displayed right on the ID. That change came in response to the new ID requirements at the polls.
Proof of residency requirements will also be of interest to those eligible voters who may not live inside city or town limits, but who are still eligible to vote in the election because that voter owns assessable land within the community.
According to the rules, to be eligible to vote in the municipal election you must be a Canadian citizen, at least 18 years of age, have lived in the community or owned assessable land for three months preceding the date of the election, and have lived in the province of Saskatchewan for at least six consecutive months immediately preceding the date of the election.
According to these rules someone could live in, for example, Cochin, and still be eligible to vote in the civic election if they owned assessable land in the city for over three months.
Wohlberg explains the process for those particular voters when they show up to vote. Voter registration will take place right at the polls. That particular voter would need to fill out the voter registration form and tick off the box that says they own assessable land, and write down the address on that form.
"The address they would put down is the address that would reference their ability to vote here," said Wohlberg. The only difference this time, said Wohlberg, is those voters will need their identification with them to vote.
