Those waiting until the last minute to register to vote do have options. (File Photo/paNOW Staff)

By Rob Mahon

Last-Minute Voting

Unregistered voters still with options on election day

Sep 20, 2021 | 10:23 AM

For those who’ve recently moved and haven’t had time to plan out their voting strategy for tonight, there is one last option, even if you’ve left things until the last minute. In fact, you can sign up right at the polling station itself.

“People can register at the polls,” said Marie-France Kenny, regional media advisor with Election’s Canada. “So, when they come in they’ll need to register to vote, of course, and there is a registration table. They can just let the greeter, or the information officer know when they come in that they need to register.”

It’s actually relatively simple to register on voting day, but knowing where to go in your city is a crucial part of it. If you’ve just moved, you probably didn’t receive a voter information card with your local polling station on it.

“They’ll need to look online where their polling station is,” Kenny said. “It’s important that they only go to their polling station. They can find that out by typing in their postal code and following the instructions online.”

The amount of people voting in-person may actually be down this year, owing in part to fears around COVID-19. Mail-in voting was a big part of the last provincial election, and the expectation is it will factor in heavily this election as well. But for those who do come in-person, there will be some COVID protocols to keep in mind.

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“Masks are necessary,” Kenny said. “There is no proof of vaccination required, you won’t be asked about that at all, but you need to wear a mask. If you don’t have one, we’ll provide one for you. You’ll need to disinfect your hands and practice physical distancing.”

Any workers you see at the polls, and any representatives of candidates, will be masked as well. Saskatchewan’s recently reinstated COVID-19 restrictions will be in effect there.

Kenny added anyone who has to self-isolate due to COVID-19 is unfortunately out of options to vote at this point, as advanced polls and mail-in ballots are no longer available. In-person voting is now the only method left, and those who must self-isolate due to the virus can’t be out in public.

The federal election is tonight, with the polls already open in Saskatchewan as of 7:30 a.m. They will officially close at 7:30 p.m., though the final result may not be known until later on as mail-in votes need to be counted.

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rob.mahon@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @RobMahonPxP