With an election just two weeks away, Canadians are gearing up to head to the ballot box and cast their votes. But this year, things are a bit different.
With both the media and government coming out to condemn the unvaccinated, many unvaccinated Canadians are probably concerned about their right to vote being infringed while lining up at the ballot box.
Here is what you need to know about voting if you are unvaccinated.
The government cannot discriminate against the unvaccinated.
Firstly, no government or official can legally prevent anyone from casting their ballot due to their vaccination status, whether in person or otherwise.
Moreover, Elections Canada has announced that election workers will not be asking for proof of vaccination. So, if someone stops you or questions your vaccination status, not only is it none of their business, you should call the police if any uppity poll worker stops you from casting your ballot.
They cannot legally stop you from voting, nor should they try.
Election workers themselves are also not required to be vaccinated.
The government will turn away anyone who has recently tested positive for COVID-19.
Elections Canada has stated that they will restrict access to polling stations for anyone who has had a positive test for COVID-19 within two weeks of September 20. This restriction includes people who are currently quarantining due to recently travelling.
The option of voting by mail is still available, but only for those who register by September 14. If you have tested positive recently, you should visit elections.ca immediately and seek out other options.
Mask requirements are technically area-specific
Election workers will provide every voter with a mask; however, voters are only required to wear masks if the area or province they are voting in has a mask mandate for indoor facilities — which is nearly everywhere at this point.
If the area you are voting in has a mask mandate, poll workers may turn you away if you refuse to comply.
Election workers will not away those who cannot wear a mask for medical reasons. They will also not be asking for proof or details about electors’ medical exemptions.
The voting process will probably be extra slow.
Due to strictly enforced social distancing measures, the overall election process will likely be even slower than usual. The floor will have social distancing markers, and polling stations will have a limited capacity.
