SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Weledeh MLA Bob Bromley is calling the federal Fair Elections Act, which makes the process of voting more arduous for those without ID, "election engineering."

Voters won't be able to identify themselves using mail-out voter cards during the fall's federal election, so city and territorial politicians are reminding voters to be sure they've got proper identification before it's too late. - Evan Kiyoshi French/NNSL photo

The act was introduced last year and does away with the practice of vouching, which allowed people with the required ID to vouch for a person without it.

Bromley says the act will prevent some constituents of his territorial riding from taking part in the fall election if they don't get identification in time.

"It takes away the voice of the people," said Bromley. "In the last federal election, in many ridings, the difference came down to a few dozen individuals. It's almost election engineering . by the Conservative government."

Previously voters could identify themselves using their mail-out voter card, or could show up at the polls with nothing at all and have someone else vouch for their identity and place of residence. According to Election Canada's website you will now need to produce either one piece of government issued photo ID, one piece of paperwork with your name on it and one with your name and address, or show two pieces with your name on it and have another voter with proper ID - who knows where you live - vouch for you. Under the new act, only one person can vouch for another.

Bromley says the voter identification requirements for the territorial election aren't nearly as demanding.

"Ours are far more realistic for our population," he said. Not only are territorial voters allowed to vouch for another person who doesn't have ID, they're allowed to vouch for several others, said Bromley. He said when he was sitting as chair of the territorial government's rules and procedures standing committee, its research found a large number of voters don't have ID.

"I think it was up to 50 per cent in some small communities did not have two pieces of ID," he said.

NWT-MP Dennis Bevington could not be reached for comment before press time.

Lynda Comerford, returning officer for the Yellowknives Dene First Nation (YKDFN), said the change could cause complications for voters in Ndilo and Dettah, since vouching is a regular practice when voters hit the polls during band council elections.

"It could certainly be an issue," she said. "I know that there is a lot of vouching during the YKDFN elections."

John Enright, spokesperson for Elections Canada, said people who don't have a fixed address can get a letter of confirmation from an administrator at a homeless shelter which will enable them to vote provided they can produce one piece of identification with their name on it. He said they can also vote through attestation - having another person with proper identification vouch for them at the polling station. However, he said, they'll need to produce two pieces of identification with their name on it in that case, so it might be more convenient to obtain a letter of confirmation.

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