ST. PAUL - The Town of St. Paul is proceeding with a Voter ID Bylaw, which aims to clarify the type of identification that will be required to vote in the upcoming municipal election on Oct. 18.
"The purpose of this bylaw is to confirm the list of authorized IDs that voters would need to have in their possession when casting their vote at a municipal election or by-election," said Director of Planning and Legislative Services Aline Brousseau, during the Jan. 25 Town of St. Paul council meeting.
The bylaw isn't required by the Local Authorities Election Act (LAEA). But, administration hopes having the bylaw in place will make voters more comfortable with the process of voting this fall.
"By having a defined list, it is our hope that this will increase voter turn out or any worry about having the appropriate ID," said Brousseau. The municipality's intent is to be as inclusive as possible, and the list is different than what is allowed for provincial and federal elections.
"We would be more than happy to research and investigate any possible IDs that did not make it on this list, if it is desired," said Brousseau.
The bylaw must be passed no later than March 20, which is six months ahead of nomination day for the 2021 municipal election. A public hearing is not required for this type of bylaw, but it does have to be advertised before second reading of the bylaw can be put forward.
Any feedback received between first and second reading would be brought forward for council's consideration at the second reading. Second and third reading of the bylaw is expected to take place on Feb. 22.
"I like that even if it's not necessary, we're doing this," said Mayor Maureen Miller, after the first reading of the bylaw was approved by council.
According to the bylaw, a voter can present one piece of government-issued ID, which includes an Alberta's driver's license or Alberta Identification card. Or, a voter can present two pieces of ID that has the person's name and at least one must have a current address on it.
The list of acceptable ID is long, and ranges from Alberta wildlife ID Number (WIN) card, to band membership or status cards, a birth certificate, Canadian Citizenship card or certificate, permanent resident card, firearm possession and acquisition license (PAL), government statement of benefits, library card, a property tax notice from the Town of St. Paul, Social Insurance Number card, and many others. ID from a health care provider, financial institution, educational institution, or from an employer, landlord or utility company is also accepted according to the bylaw.
The Town of St. Paul does not have a list of electors.
Municipal elections are held every four years.
To become a candidate in the upcoming election, a person must be an eligible voter and must have been a resident of the Town of St. Paul for at least six consecutive months preceding nomination day on Sept. 21.
The nomination period for the next general election runs between Jan. 1, 2021, until Sept. 20. Since Jan. 1 was a statutory holiday, the town officially began accepting nominations on Jan. 4.
If a resident has any questions about the upcoming election, they can reach out to Brousseau, who is also the town's returning officer at 780-645-8540 or 780-645-1766. Jim Laidley is the town's substitute returning officer and can be reached at 780-645-1762.
