“I am deeply concerned about marginalized Canadians being turned away or simply giving up,” said Stephanie Sydiaha.
Sydiaha, a former provincial election returning officer and Saskatchewan Polytechnic instructor, said she went to cast her federal election ballot Friday at the Royal Canadian Air Force Association Hall on Avenue C. The main voting day is October 19, but advance polls opened Friday and run to the end of Monday across Canada.
At the main entrance, Sydiaha said the first thing an Elections Canada worker asked was, “Did you bring your photo ID?”
Sydiaha knew that under the new federal election law, photo identification is not required. Two pieces of non-photo ID — one with an address — are sufficient.
“I don’t need it, and you should not be asking for it,” Sydiaha replied.
The poll’s returning officer came over and talked with Sydiaha, who repeated her concerns. She was then directed to a table, where she produced her bank card and phone bill. She was given a ballot and voted before leaving.
When she got home, Sydiaha called Elections Canada’s main number in Gatineau, Quebec to get assurances the practice would stop. She said the first official told her voters did need photo ID.
“I was shocked, so I asked to talk to someone else,” she said.
A supervisor came on the line and admitted this issue was a problem across the country, Sydiaha said. She was passed on to a third staff person, who offered to take her complaint. Sydiaha said she’d like assurances workers will not ask first for photo ID, she was told the concern would be marked “urgent.”
Sydiaha said she is confident and knowledgeable enough to stand up for her rights. She worries that many marginalized people without photo drivers licenses will just turn around and go home if asked for photo ID.
“There are people all over Canada who don’t have it,” she said.
Sydiaha is one of several non-partisan volunteers who have been at the Saskatoon Food Bank for the past two months encouraging patrons to vote. They’ve also made stops at Station 20 West, the Friendship Inn and other core neighbourhood gathering spots, answering questions and handing out Elections Canada information guides.
Marie-France Kenny, Elections Canada media adviser for Saskatchewan and Manitoba, said she could not talk about the details of any complaints. She said she could not say whether there have been any complaints or issues with photo identification requests at polling stations.
She said the rules are clear. She said workers are supposed to simply ask for identification, but “you do not need a photo ID to vote.”
Original Article
Source: thestarphoenix.com/
Author: Jason Warick
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