Ahead of Halifax’s municipal election, a new initiative is helping around 140 homeless people prepare to vote. Outreach workers are visiting homeless encampments and shelters to inform residents about their right to vote and assist them in obtaining the necessary documentation. They provide letters confirming the person’s name and address, ensuring they meet the requirements to vote as long as they are 18 and have lived in the province for more than six months.
The initiative targets specific encampments in areas like Green Road Park, Geary Street, and various locations in Halifax, including University Avenue. If workers discover people sleeping in tents elsewhere, they also offer support. This effort aims to ensure that homeless individuals, whose voices are often overlooked, can participate in the election, especially as housing is a key issue in the campaign.
Municipal Clerk Iain MacLean emphasized the importance of making elections accessible for everyone, ensuring that all eligible voters can cast their ballots safely and securely. While some individuals approached by outreach workers have declined to vote, many have appreciated the support, feeling valued and included in the democratic process. Other regions have shown interest in replicating Halifax’s initiative.
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