The City of Yorkton has further clarified the identification requirements for mail-in ballot applications for this November’s municipal election.
The City of Yorkton was one of the first in the province to pass their General Election Bylaw permitting the use of “external verifiers” for mail-in ballot application ID verification., explained Jessica Matsalla, Director of Legislation & Procedures (City Clerk)with the City at the regular meeting of Yorkton Council Monday.
The City of Yorkton supports the use of mail-in ballots, especially in light of the COVID-19 Pandemic, reiterated Matsalla.
Across the province, the process varies somewhat. The City of Saskatoon is using the vouching process, by which you are only able to verify one person’s identification, unless they are in your family and the City of Regina is only accepting mail-in ballot applications if you are able to provide a copy of your government issued photo identification, explained Matsalla.
This was initially Yorkton’s stance, however it is being recognized that some of the personal care homes are wishing to exercise the use of the mail-in ballots, and those facilities might have individuals who do not have any photo identification, she continued.
“We would like to amend the bylaw to extend the types of ID that are acceptable for approved external witnesses to verify,” said Matsalla.
In addition the amendment strengthens the language surrounding our witnesses by better defining the witnessing process as done by an eligible voter who is a family member or person who resides at the same address as the applicant voter.
The amendments were given unanimous support by Council.
