Advocates concerned about proposed law requiring photo ID when voting

paNOW Staff

A proposed law that showed up in this week's throne speech would require you to show photo identification when voting in this province.
That may not be a big deal to some people. But to others, it's huge, especially if you don't have ID.
It's causing a stir at Project ID, a community-based initiative that helps people get government identification.
“Yes, definitely it would be a concern if people needed to have photo ID in order to vote because there's a cost associated with that,” said coordinator Deborah Hamp.
She notes people who live in core neighbourhoods are at a significant disadvantage if ID's required. And she believes the government should be encouraging more people to vote — not scaring them away.
“To be inclusive and to be democratic, we need to be really careful as a society not to place barriers in people's way,” Hamp said.
She's encouraged that the province is considering making exceptions to its rules. She's also hoping to discuss the matter with the province in the near future.