There’s been no shortage of criticism of the government’s recent announcement of the Fair Elections Act. A couple of weeks ago, I posted an editorial about how youth voters would be affected under the Fair Elections Act. I argued that mobile youth are more likely to carry the wrong type of ID or ID with the wrong address.
(Adrian Wyld/THE CANADIAN PRESS)
Since then, the government has announced some changes to the bill. They’ve been backtracking on some of the most controversial pieces of the bill. For example, although vouching would still be eliminated under the amended version of the bill, voters will be able to take an oath of residence if their ID doesn’t include an address.
This will certainly help some of the voters who were marginalized by the elimination of vouching, most notably First Nations individuals living on reserves whose status cards don’t always have an address on them. You can read a great editorial written by Chief Tammy Cook-Searson of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band in Saskatchewan if you want to find out more about how First Nations people could be disenfranchised if vouching or a similar practice is eliminated.
Youth living temporarily outside of their home province or territory might be faced with some confusion about where to pledge their residence, but being able to take an oath of residence at least gives them an option. It could also help first-time voters if they don’t have driver’s licenses or passports yet.
The amended Fair Elections Act is a big step forward compared to its predecessor, and it’s reassuring to know that public outcry can lead to changes.
But the Fair Elections Act still insists that ID is necessary to vote.
As Pierre Poillievre says, “The message to voters is this: Have a piece of identity. You’re going to need it to vote in the elections.â€
If you’re a youth hoping to vote in 2015, have a look at your ID now. Although many Canadians take ID for granted, having government-issued ID that’s up-to-date with the right address can difficult to find for mobile youth and aboriginal people.
Better start getting organized now!