Volunteer out in Saskatoon reaching hard to reach voters

Getting the vote out is an issue come Election Day, and that only becomes more of a challenge when you start talking about so-called "marginalized" votersor what Elections Canada terms "sub-populations who face barriers to voting".

One hard working volunteer in Saskatoonhas taken it upon herself to make sure everyone is getting the information they need.

"[Voting] is the ultimate expression that citizens have in a democracy, of how they view what's going on around them. So I just think it's really important," said Stephanie Sydiaha.

The non-partisanSydiahais busy visiting places like Station 20 West, The Lighthouse, Friendship Inn, and Salvation Army to help with voter registration.

Elections Canada is aware of her actions, she said. But at the time same time Sydiahais critical of some voting rules.

"People say, 'Well, we have to show voter identification on an airplane. Why wouldn't we show identification to vote?' And the difference is, getting on an airplane is not guaranteed in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms."

A fixed home address can also be a challenge, said Sydiaha.

Under Elections Canada rules, a person who does not have a fixed address can use the address of the shelter or soup kitchenwhere they receive services.

An identity can also be proven with their name on it, such as a "library card, public transportation card, birth certificate, hospital or health card," according to Elections Canada.

Additionally, anyone who stays at a Salvation Army shelter or receives a meal can obtain a "Letter of Confirmation of Residence" from that facility."

Online voter registration ended yesterday but people can still register at the polls on Oct. 19