ID Requirements Limit Turnout.Pdf

Fast FACTSCANADIAN CENTRE FOR POLICY ALTERNATIVES - MANITOBA March 28, 2017 ID requirements will limit turnout First published in the Winnipeg Free Press March 28, 2017 n March 20th Minister of Justice Chief Electoral Officer at Elections alternative. Heather Stefanson introduced an Manitoba has stated voter fraud is not Oamendment to the Elections Act a concern. that would establish a permanent voter Oftentimes governments consult registry for future provincial elections, before making changes to key changes to individual contributions and legislation. If the government would spending for third-party communications. have consulted, they would have The amendment allows for the learned of the struggles of those requirement of a voters list based on the without up-to-date, government issued 2016 election. The provincial government photo ID who will be disenfranchised chose also to amend eligible voter if the voter ID requirements change. identification (ID) that would require Instead, Minister Stefanson stated that citizens to present a type of ID that is not proposed changes would simply bring easily accessible for some Manitobans and Manitoba in line with, for example, potentially skew the slate of candidates Winnipeg. However, Winnipeg does there is an to favour those who can inject the most not require photo ID in its elections. money into their campaign. It is important that the provincial Currently, if someone is not on the voter’s government take into account the list and does not have government-issued systemic barriers, historical context photo ID, they are permitted to prove and demographics of Manitoba when CCPA-MB identity via two documents such as a considering changes to legislation and 205-765 Main St. health card, Status Indian card and/or mail policies. This is particularly important Winnipeg, MB addressed to their current address such as when dealing with provisions for fair R2W 3N5 a utility bill. voting, a cornerstone of democracy. phone The move to a voter registry was approved Lack of access to ID is a wide-spread (204) 927-3200 by all party consensus at the committee problem affecting those who are overly email level and this requires an amendment to represented in the ranks of people who [email protected] the Act. However, introducing a registry live in poverty – the working-poor, the website does not require changes to the current elderly, those living with a disability, www.policyalternatives.ca/ Act’s acceptance of alternate forms of ID. people without a fixed address manitoba (including students), and Indigenous blog Why is this provincial government people. Real barriers for low income www.policyfix.ca introducing a change to voter ID earners include; the inability to pay for twitter requirements by requiring photo ID? The proper ID, a living situation wherein @ccpamb loss and theft of ID is common, or the United States where the main goal frequent moves that prohibit paying of the people’s Occupy Movement was costly fees to maintain a formal ID with to “get money out of politics” and take a current address. back democracy. The Manitoba Elections Amendment Act would increase individual election contributions 60 The Indigenous community is percent from $3,000 to $5,000. The third- additionally burdened by the ID party advertising increases election limits problems experienced by Sixties Scoop five times from $5,000 to $25,000 during Survivors. As a result of the “Sixties- an election and then 20 times to $100,000 Eighties Scoop”, when federal and during the 90 days before the writ is provincial agents took Indigenous dropped. These changes would restrict children from their families and placed who can participate in and influence them with non-Indigenous families in democratic process in Manitoba. Canada, the U.S. and Europe, survivors of the “Scoop” era can face formidable continued... barriers to obtaining a birth certificate. Changes to Manitoba’s voter eligibility Applicants must recall and provide requirements will prohibit many information about their birth and Manitobans from exercising their parental lineage as it is stated on their democratic right to vote. This change, birth registration. Many Indigenous along with increased allowable communities have been disconnected political contributions and third-party from their family lineage through communications are unjust and will physical displacement and changed undermine democracy in our province. family names. Lisa Forbes is a volunteer voting educator In the 2014 Winnipeg election local with Winnipeg Indigenous Rock the Vote leaders started “Indigenous Rock the and Molly McCracken is the director at the Vote” to encourage Indigenous people Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives – to participate in the election. This Manitoba. With background research by group ran ID clinics to help people Ellen Smirl. access ID because the issue that came up most often during the Winnipeg election was access to proper voting ID. In addition, Indigenous people are far more likely to not have a fixed address due to movement between reserves and CCPA-MB rural communities to stay at the homes 205-765 Main St. of relatives and friends in urban areas Winnipeg, MB while they work, go to school, or access R2W 3N5 health services. The amendments also potentially effect phone the diversity of candidates by increasing (204) 927-3200 allowable individual contributions email to political parties and third party [email protected] communications spending substantially. website This opens the door to those who can www.policyalternatives.ca/ afford to participate in electoral politics manitoba to contribute more. Money would blog have more influence in elections than www.policyfix.ca previously. twitter @ccpamb This approach has seen a push-back in References available upon request..

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