CANADA

Who can vote? Convicts,

among other Canadians
for whom special rules
apply
SOURCE: By The Canadian Press
Millions of Canadians will cast ballots in typical fashion for the Oct. 19
federal election — at polling stations in local school gymnasiums or
community centres. But special voting rules have also been established
for some groups, who can’t do that. Here’s a look at some of those
rules:

Inmates. People in provincial jails and federal prisons can apply to

vote by mail or register to vote at advance polls set up inside
institutions Oct. 9. Inmates vote for candidates in their home riding,
or the riding of a relative, the place of their arrest or the court where
they were convicted and sentenced.

Homeless. People with no home address vote in the riding of the

shelter they stay in or the agency or soup kitchen where they receive

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services. They must show identification with their name on it, such as
a library card or prescription container, as well as proof of their home
address in a letter from the shelter or soup kitchen. They can also take
an oath, if they are accompanied by someone they know who lives in
the area and can attest to the address.

Expats. Canadians who have lived outside the country for less than
five consecutive years and intend to move back to Canada can vote by
mail. Their home address is considered to be the last address they had
before leaving, or the home of a relative or person they would be living
with if not out of the country. Government workers, staff with
international organizations and military members — and the people
who live with them — are exempt from the five-year rule.

Military. Members of the Canadian Forces, along with teachers and

staff of Canadian Forces schools outside Canada, can vote by mail or at
polling stations set up in their units, whether they are at home or
abroad.

Students. Post-secondary students who live in two places — one

while at school and the other while not in school — can choose which
they consider to be their home address. Those who live on campus are
allowed to vote at polls set up there. All students are eligible to vote
Oct. 5-8 at Elections Canada offices on 39 campuses.

Patients. People in some hospitals and long-term care facilities have

the extra option of voting at mobile polling stations. Elections Canada
staff can carry ballot boxes from room to room if needed. Election
workers also provide in-home voting for people unable to leave home
because of a disability.

Oilsands workers. During the last election, kiosks were set up at six
remote work camps around Fort McMurray, Alta., since the areas had
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limited access to postal services. About 14 per cent of 8,285 workers at
the locations cast ballots; many didn’t have proof of their home
addresses and couldn’t vote. Elections Canada says it’s not continuing
the program this year because it was too expensive and logistically
complex.

THESIS: ________________________________

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