Signigicant amendments were made to The Elections Act in 2006. The changes were part of Bill 22, The Electoral Reform Act, which received royal assent on June 13, 2006 and came into effect on December 13, 2006.

Plain Language

The Elections Act was rewritten in plain language to be more clear and better understood by the public, candidates, political volunteers and election officials.

Voting Opportunities

Advance voting

Clarification: all qualified voters are entitled to vote at an advance voting location without providing a reason for doing so.

Advance voting extended to seven days by adding the second Sunday before election day from noon to 6 p.m.

Voters from any electoral division permitted to vote at any advance voting station — ID now required (to protect the integrity of this new voting process).

Mobile advance voting stations with flexible hours introduced.

Homebound voting

Homebound voting extended to persons with any disability and to caregivers of these voters.

Residency requirements

Six-month residency requirements waived for students, the military and some public servants as long as those individuals intend to return to Manitoba following studies/service.

Voting Stations

Separate voting stations for multiple residences with 100 or more units (where possible).

Smaller voting areas (250 voters) in rural Manitoba to reduce travel to voting stations.

Voter identification

Broader, more flexible forms of voter identification accepted.

Voters list

Measures introduced to better safeguard access to the voters list.

Compliance

Chief Electoral Officer to appoint an independent commissioner to ensure The Elections Act and The Elections Finance Act are complied with and enforced.