CANELECTGEN 010/23 CMP 051716Z SEP 23: Provincial general election - Manitoba - 3 October 23

Unclassified

References:

A. QR & O 19.44
B. Morale and welfare policy manual vol. 2, Canadian forces newspapers

1. No silent hour response required
2. A general election will be called in Manitoba with election day voting taking place on 3 October 23
3. Members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and their dependants vote pursuant to ordinary civilian voting rules as contained in the elections act, revised statutes of Manitoba, 2006, c. E30 (the elections act), as amended. Under this act, a person who wishes to exercise his or her right to vote must be on a voter’s list. The act provides that every person is entitled to have his or her name placed on a voter’s list for an election if the person:
   1. Is a Canadian Citizen,
   2. Is of the full age of 18 years or will attain that age on or before the election day, and
   3. Has resided in Manitoba for at least six months immediately prior to election day or qualifies as a resident under section 12(1) of the elections act
4. A registration may be conducted in electoral divisions to make a complete voters list. Should a member not be registered but meets the qualification requirements and produces sufficient identification as outlined in para 5 below, the member may:
   1. Before 14 September 23, apply to the office of the returning officer of the members electoral division where the member resides to be added to the voters list,
   2. Register online at www.electionsmanitoba.ca or
   3. On election day, apply to the voting officer at the members designated polling places to be added to the voters list.
5. When making applications to be added on the voters list, members must produce before the election official the following documents:
   1. An official document issued by a federal, provincial, or municipal government that contains the members name and photograph, such as their driver’s licence, or
   2. Two other documents that provide satisfactory evidence of the members identity such as their military identity card. If none of the documents provided contains a current address, the person must make a signed declaration as to his or her current address
6. Members who expect for any reason to be unable to vote at their designated voting location on election day may vote at an advance voting location. Dates for advance voting are determined by returning officers, which must be set within the period commencing Saturday, 23 September 23, and ending Saturday 30 September 23. Members may vote at any advance voting location in the province. Dates and places of advance voting may vary for different locations so members should call the office of the appropriate returning officer for more information
7. Members who will not be able to vote on both election day and during advance voting may use the provincial special rules for absentee voting. In summary, a CAF member or a person living with the member may vote by mail if the person:
   1. Expects to be absent from Manitoba during advance voting and on election day, or
   2. Expects that attending to vote on election day and during advance voting will not be reasonably possible because the person will be in Manitoba in a location distant from the voting place where the person would otherwise vote
8. For the purpose of para 6 and section 12(1) of the elections act, a CAF member and a person living with such member who has been outside of Manitoba for more than 6 months prior to election day retain their residence status and their entitlement to vote if they had left Manitoba with the intention to return and reside in the province. Persons who are entitled to vote under para 6 include regular force members and reserve force members on full-time training or service or on active service as well as a person who lives with such a member
9. All CAF bases in Manitoba have received absentee voting applications from the chief electoral officer. Absentee voters who will be voting must use form 062 or apply online at www.electionsmanitoba.ca.
10. All base commanders are to make arrangements to ensure that form 062 is made available to persons who request them. If quantities of forms are insufficient, they may be reproduced locally
11. The appropriate application form must be submitted in writing to the returning officer of the members home electoral division and be accompanied by the required information and documentation. Applications must be received by the members returning officer on or before 30 September 23, but early return will ensure a ballot will be received and returned in time for the deadline. Members who meet the requirements will be issued a special blank ballot with voting instructions. The ballots of members are required to be received at the office of the returning officer before 20:00 on election day
12. Registration agents shall be given access to married and single quarters for the purposes of registration. Commanding officers shall not provide lists of members of the CAF or their dependants to registration agents
13. CAF members shall be given sufficient time to vote. Section 13 of the elections act provides that qualified voters are entitled to three consecutive hours for the purpose of voting
14. Provincial legislation does not prohibit the sale of alcoholic beverages on election day in Manitoba. Accordingly, the sale of alcoholic beverages in messes, canteens and other institutes is not prohibited on civilian election day
15. Political activities on defence establishments and personal political activities of members of the CAF are governed by ref a. Political advertising in unofficial service newspapers is prohibited in accordance with the interim Canadian forces newspapers policy ref b
16. All CAF base commanders in Manitoba are to ensure the widest distribution of this message including its republication in routine orders
17. It is the personal responsibility of members of the CAF and their dependants to ensure that their names are added to the voters list in the correct electoral division if they qualify. Details respecting qualifications, revision period, location of civilian voting places, advance voting, absentee voting, etc. should be obtained from the local civilian returning officer
18. Information not available from local returning officers may be sought from the office of the chief electoral officer of Manitoba at 1-866-339-4870 or (204)945-3225 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, fax (204)945-6011. Elections Manitoba web site can also be consulted at www.electionsmanitoba.ca