A controversial law in Alberta, expected to pass, may strip many voters of their rights. Bill 20, known as the Municipal Affairs Statutes Amendment Act, is part of a broader legislative package aimed at quelling dissent.
While Bill 20 has drawn significant scrutiny for empowering the provincial government to oust locally-elected officials and overturn municipal regulations, a less-discussed aspect would abolish vouching during local elections. Vouching permits a verified individual within a polling district to confirm another person’s identity, enabling their participation in the election.
Although requiring identification at polling stations might seem reasonable, not all citizens possess up-to-date ID with proof of residency. Denying eligible Canadian citizens their voting rights sets a dangerous precedent, undercutting a fundamental pillar of democracy: accessibility.
The Importance of Vouching
Vouching was introduced to enhance the integrity of elections, supplementing the previous practice where citizens only attested to their own eligibility to vote. It is a critical process ensuring that all eligible citizens can cast their ballots, particularly those in rural areas with limited identification options, students, mobile workers, and individuals without easy access to registry offices or the means to afford identification.
Despite its longstanding role in validating voters across Canada, vouching provisions are under threat. Driven by unsubstantiated concerns regarding voter fraud and election integrity, some conservative politicians are echoing tactics from the United States to restrict voter eligibility, with voter ID laws being a prominent measure.
The Perils of Voter ID Laws
Alberta Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIver claims that Bill 20 aims to bolster trust in local elections. However, the government has failed to provide evidence of dwindling trust, voter fraud, or public support for eliminating vouching.
On the contrary, data indicates otherwise. Elections Alberta has documented just seven cases of voting irregularities since 2013. Furthermore, a government survey in fall 2023 revealed that nearly half of Albertans wish to retain vouching as part of the election system, while only 30% advocate for its removal. Municipal leaders in Alberta argue that voter ID laws would undermine confidence in the democratic process and depress voter turnout.
In essence, Alberta’s voter ID laws address a non-existent problem. Similar to efforts in the United States, they could disenfranchise vulnerable citizens while failing to tackle the imagined threat of voter fraud. Legislators in Alberta should heed the cautionary tale of voter ID laws in the United States, where such measures have led to voter suppression tactics targeting marginalized communities.
The UCP government’s pursuit of Bill 20 raises questions about its alignment with evidence and public sentiment, particularly considering its acknowledgment of vouching’s importance just three years prior.
Conclusion
Rather than embracing draconian measures based on unfounded fears, Alberta should follow the lead of most Canadian jurisdictions by expanding the franchise and facilitating voting for eligible citizens. The trajectory of voter ID laws in the United States should serve as a warning, urging Canadians to scrutinize Bill 20 and voice concerns about potential infringements on voting rights.