The Trudeau Liberal government has proposed a new election voting format that would allow Canadians to vote in person over a several-day period to promote physical distancing.
The legislation, titled Bill C-19, would change the one-day format to a three-day polling period from Saturday to Monday, giving voters eight hours per-day on the weekend to submit their ballots, and a 12-hour window on the final day of voting.
The change is aimed at decreasing queues at polling stations that would put people in close contact with one another.
Notably, the bill would only apply to elections after a 90-day window of the bill's passing.
According to CTV News, the bill will also seek to "Improve access to mail-in voting, including installing ballot drop-off boxes at every polling place, and allowing for online receipts of mail-in ballots."
"Canadians deserve to have full confidence in their ability to exercise their democratic rights safely in these unprecedented times," a statement from Minister Dominic LeBlanc reads.
"This will ensure the health and safety of voters, election workers and all participants in Canada's electoral system. By introducing these temporary amendments, Elections Canada will be able to offer more ways for Canadians to vote during a pandemic. I look forward to working with my parliamentary colleagues to deliver our shared goal of a free, fair and safe election," LeBlanc continued.
