(file photo)

By Nigel Maxwell

Election changes

Drive-thru voting to be introduced during fall municipal election

Aug 11, 2020 | 12:00 PM

Prince Albert City Council has officially rubber stamped changes to the city’s election bylaw which will include flexibility for mail-in ballots, and the option for drive-thru voting at the Prince Albert Exhibition Centre during advance polls.

The bylaw amendments passed third reading unopposed at a special city council meeting Monday afternoon. The drive-thru option was originally established in Regina and Acting City Clerk Terri Mercier told paNOW the process produced good results.

“It worked really well in Regina and we are trying to follow suit. We were going to plan on doing this drive-thru option [before COVID-19] and that I believe will help increase voter turnout,” she said.

In addition to the drive-thru voting option, anyone unable to vote in person for any reason, including COVID-19, can make use of a mail-in ballot. The change was intended to help people avoid personal contact at voting stations.

“It might increase turnout but the advance poll was the increase in turnout last time so we are expecting that will still be,” Mercier said.

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In the past, anyone who wished to take part in the city’s mail-in ballot system was required to apply in person at city hall. Under the new changes, voters can send in their required forms and copies of identification by mail, fax or other electronic means.

The authority of the elections officials has also been expanded to allow for in-person visits to a voter’s residence to accept a mail-in ballot application, if the voter cannot apply due to illness or has increased risk factors that could lead to becoming ill if exposed to a communicable disease. The previous bylaw only provided this option for people who could not appear in person because of a physical disability or limited mobility.

All the amendments were arrived at after consultations with various Saskatchewan municipalities including Regina and Saskatoon, as well as the Ministry of Government Relations but will come at a cost.

The city’s election budget was previously $212,340, but the changes to the election bylaw will increase costs. At this time the exact amount is unknown as the city’s safety requirements are ever-changing and the returning officer will take on the task of taking all necessary measures to ensure there is a minimum impact to the budget.

nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell