Saskatchewan changes election rules to allow soldiers to vote sooner

REGINA – Saskatchewan is overhauling election rules to allow soldiers coming from outside the province to immediately be able to vote in elections.

Justice Minister Gord Wyant says the Election Amendment Act will make Saskatchewan the first jurisdiction in Canada to provide special residence recognition to those in the Canadian Armed Forces.

Wyant says men and women in the military should be given the opportunity to participate in the democracy they work to protect.

Ordinarily someone has to have lived in Saskatchewan for at least six months before they can vote.

Other changes are to establish a permanent voter registry and to remove door-to-door enumeration — although a final door-to-door count will be done before the next election expected in April 2016.

The proposed law would also allow for citizens who are house-bound with a disability to have election officials come to their home to take their vote.

“Our goal with these amendments is to improve voter access to the electoral process in future elections,” Wyant said Monday.

“We want to ensure every Saskatchewan resident has the opportunity to participate in the electoral process, particularly those who face personal challenges in casting their vote.”