Expansion of mail-in voting heading to city council

Mayor Michael Fougere hopes an expansion of mail-in ballots will increase voter turnout in the upcoming civic election.

On Wednesday, a report recommending an expansion of the program sailed through executive committee to be next discussed by city council on July 27.

“We need to make it easier for people to vote,” said Fougere. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the city is looking to get rid of safety concerns around voting in November. Fougere said though its uncertain what the pandemic will look like in a few months time, caution is warranted.

The expansion would allow mailin voting applications to be mailed, faxed or scanned to the city without a voter appearing in person. Applicants would need to fill out a voter declaration form with their signature being witnessed by an eligible voter. Picture identification with a signature would be submitted as part of the application, according to the report.

Previously to register for a mailin ballot, voters had to be unable to cast a ballot during the election and had to apply in person.

Coun. Bob Hawkins (Ward 2) asked if someone is without a picture identification if there is some other way to established their identity.

Jim Nicol, city clerk, said in that case, a voter would need to register in person. But if that’s not possible Nicol said there’s a chance someone from the city could be dispatched to the homes of people unwilling or unable to appear in person.

The city still intends to have 32 polling stations open across the city on Nov. 9, though beefed up cleaning protocols and physical distancing will be in place.

If approved on July 27, Nicol said there is an aggressive communications plan in the works to inform voters of the ability vote by mail.

Coun. Lori Bresciani (Ward 4) asked how fraud will be detected or addressed during voting.

“We do not have a history of voter fraud here in Regina,” said Nicol, saying that is an important consideration. But picture identification, with a signature, is used to match a voters signature across submitted documents. That will allow for discrepancies to be detected.

“If they don’t match, we will be calling them,” said Nicol. “Or simply disqualifying them.”

Repercussions for voter fraud will be included in the advertising on the ability to vote by mail. Nicol again emphasized that this is a legal document and that if a voter is called they would have to speak on their actions in front of a court.

To make sure voters will not cast two ballots, all those registered to vote through mail-in ballots will be kept in a spreadsheet for election workers to check.

Coun. Andrew Stevens (Ward 3) asked if voter turnout would be affected by mail-in ballots, specifically if marginalized communities could benefit from the system.

“There’s no guarantee, just because you give people the tools by which to vote doesn’t mean they’ll avail themselves of that opportunity,” said Nicol.

Still, considering the previously abysmal turnout in civic elections in 2016 Nicol said he’s hopeful they will see an uptick in voters this year.