CALGARY – Calgarians living in homelessness had the chance to try voting on Monday, in preparation for October’s federal election.
The Calgary Homeless Foundation (CHF) held a mock election with polling stations at four different locations around the city including the Calgary Drop-In & Rehab Centre, YWCA Mary Dover House, Alpha House and the Alex Youth Centre.
People experiencing homelessness do not commonly vote in general elections, according to CHF, so the staged election aimed to remove barriers to the voting process. Elections Canada representatives were on hand at the Drop-In Centre to register voters.
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“They may have a valid driver’s licence, but it reflects an inaccurate residence, putting them in a riding where they can’t vote,” said a CHF spokesperson.
It also helped educate participants about valid forms of identification and registering to vote – all with the goal of helping people living in homelessness get to the polls on Oct. 19.
“Any shelter in the city can issue a letter-of-stay stating this is their current address,” said a foundation spokesperson, adding people only need one piece of ID on top of that, e.g. health care card, debit card, library card with photo ID.
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