I have to say there is a startling lack of knowledge in the public about the ID that is required. A lot of very informed people wrongly think that you require photo ID. For example, the leader of the Green Party, who I consider to be very informed on political matters, having run in campaigns herself, was under the impression in a public letter she published recently that one needs photo identification to cast a ballot. In fact, that's not true. It is an option, but not an obligation. Elections Canada provides a second list of eligible identification that includes 39 different options.
This lack of knowledge is important, and it's something we tried to fix in the fair elections act. Through clause 7 of the bill, we are amending section 18 to require Elections Canada to inform people of the forms of identification that are required. The goal is to ensure that people show up at the voting location with all the information that they need, including the ID. I think that will help solve some of these problems.