The Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) is encouraging southern First Nation citizens to get involved in the democratic process and to cast their ballots in advance polls or on election day October 3, 2023.
This webpage shares information about how to vote in the provincial election. We are sharing information about:
- Advance voting
- Voting on election day, October 3
- Absentee voting: How to vote if you are away from home between now until October 3
- Homebound voting
- Identification and voting
Elections Manitoba provided most of the information on this webpage. Visit their website for much more information: https://electionsmanitoba.ca
HOW TO VOTE IN THE PROVINCIAL ELECTION
There are many ways to vote in the upcoming provincial election in Manitoba.
Advance voting runs for eight days. It starts on Saturday, September 23 and runs until Saturday, September 30.
During advance voting, Manitoba citizens can vote at any one of 300 advance polling locations in the province.
Hours are from 8 am to 8 pm from Monday to Saturday and noon to 6 pm on Sunday, with some exceptions.
You can find all locations and hours on the Elections Manitoba’s website here: https://electionsmanitoba.ca/en/Voting/MyVotingInfo
Voting on election day:
Voters can vote at any poll in their electoral division on election day, Tuesday, October 3.
Voters can find their suggested election day and advance polling places on their voter information card OR on the Elections Manitoba website.
All polling locations and hours are available at the Elections Manitoba website.
Absentee voting:
If you will be away on election day AND during advance voting, you can apply for “absentee voting.”
Voters can apply online OR at their local election office.
The deadline to apply is September 30 at 8 pm, but you are encouraged to apply early so you have enough time to receive and return your ballot.
Homebound voting:
If you are unable to go in person to a polling place due to a disability, you may apply to vote at home.
Caregivers may also apply to vote at home.
You can find an application online or get one from your local election office. You need to apply with your local election office by 8 pm on October 2.
Voting with assistance:
In addition to homebound voting, Elections Manitoba provides several services to assist voters:
- You may request a language or sign language interpreter.
You should contact your local election office as early as possible to request this service. - Polling places have braille ballot templates.
- You may bring someone 16 years or older to help you vote.
- You can also ask a voting officer for help.
- You may use your own assistive devices, including smart phone apps, to vote.
- If you are unable to go inside the polling place because of a disability, you can vote from your vehicle.
Identification and voting:
Generally, you need identification (ID) to vote. First Nations voters also have the option to have their Chief, Councillor, or Band Membership Clerk to vouch for them!
Acceptable ID includes:
- One piece of government-issued photo ID with your address on it OR
- Two other pieces of ID.
There are many options. A complete list of acceptable ID is available on the Elections Manitoba website.
You are encouraged to bring your voter information card, which you can use as one piece of ID.
You can find information about where to vote, ID requirements, accessible voting, local election office locations, and more at www.electionsmanitoba.ca.
NEW: Information about vouching
There is now a voter’s form called the “Declaration of First Nation Guarantor for Proof of Identity.”
This form is designed to simplify the process for First Nation voters who may face difficulties when exercising their essential democratic rights.
You can find a copy of the PDF form here:
https://www.electionsmanitoba.ca/downloads/Declaration_of_First_Nation_Guarantor_ID_EN.pdf
I encourage all the people we represent to get to know the candidates in their voting area, and to learn about their party policies that directly impact our peoples and lands. I look forward to continuing to build bridges with our provincial Treaty partner no matter who wins the election on October 3rd. I also look forward to working together to end the longstanding systemic neglect of our Nations.
Grand Chief Jerry Daniels
Read more about SCO’s message for voters here.