Bring photo ID, address to vote: Elections Canada
Last Updated: Tuesday, October 14, 2008 | 4:23 AM ET
CBC News
Elections Canada is reminding voters to bring photo identification when they go to the polls on Tuesday.
New rules require voters to prove their identity and address with approved photo documents.
That may deter some students from voting, said Montreal-based voting advocacy group Apathy is Boring.
"It's just a challenge sometimes, when you're in a student residence, or you've just moved somewhere, and you might not have a lot of bills in your name to provide that proof of address," spokeswoman Ilona Dougherty said.
Some native leaders and advocates for the homeless have also expressed concern about the new requirements.
But people have options, Elections Canada spokesman Gilles Paquin said.
"We make it very accessible" by giving people the option of bringing a driver's licence and proof of address such as a utilities bill, he said. "There is no reason you could not be able to vote."
Would-be voters can also choose to have a second person vouch for their identity, as long as their designate has proper identification, Paquin added.
The new regulations may create longer waits to vote "because actually, it takes a minute or two for people to find their cards in their pockets, and their wallets."
Polls open at 9:30 a.m. and close at 9:30 p.m. ET Tuesday.
