Regina offers drive-thru polling again

You don’t even need to get out of your car to vote in this civic election.
 
For the second time, the City of Regina is offering a drive-thru polling station. The last time was in 2012 and the city hopes this will give you no excuse not to vote.
  
“We think we are making this as easy and straightforward as possible,” said Jim Nicol, chief returning officer. “Respectfully and very humbly we don’t think there is any reason for people to say it is too onerous to vote.”
 
The station will be located on McIntyre Street on the same block as City Hall, set up in much the same way as the drive-thru booth at tax time.
 
With your ID and voter registration card in hand, you simply drive up to the booth and vote.
 
“The person at the booth will review your form with your identification and then will hand you a ballot to fill out in the privacy of your vehicle,” Nicol explained. “The official never sees anything that you have marked on there, it is all very private and confidential.”
 
The drive-thru polling station is available Oct. 19 to Oct. 21 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
 
There are a number of options to vote including advance polls, mall voting, special polls and mail-in ballots for those with limited mobility. 
 
Nicol is hoping turnout will increase this 2016 election. Four years ago only 33 per cent of eligible voters cast a ballot, it was even lower at 21 per cent in 2009.
 
“We know how popular drive-thru restaurants and coffee shops are, why not get in on that.”