If I didn't know better, I might think it was a conspiracy to exclude the poor.

It would be nice to see voting be something easier to do.  On Line would be nice

And when they look at percentage.  How many of those people didn't have any chance to vote.

my son is out of the country and couldn't vote.  Well I guess he coudl have writen away for a mail in ballot or some such things, but as a 20 year old he can barely write to his grandmother, let alone the government.

but then where is our own responsibililty.

all those university kids.  Their parents certainly got the voter card mailed to them, i did for my son.  So why not send it on to their kids.  Did they go home for thansgiving?  why didn't they grab the card.  did they read the card to see the rules.  And what are the rules.  DO they have a right to vote in the university riding or their home riding.

It would n't take too much checking to find out would it

SO lets move to on line voting and make it easier.  Surely they could give you an identification number and establish some security.  I mean we bank on line, we do taxes on line.  Why is it a problem?

Asides from the fact that my ticket hung in 'Blue Screen of Death' mode...

But really...voting this time was no different than voting at other times--I just had to bring proof of my address, which meant bringing a bit of my mail.

I am so popular,

Inannawhimsey

Yep.  I think there are a couple of ways to get around to it, like updating your voter registry card while at university, or like I did, just register at the polling station (which was a little disorganized, but at least it got done relatively quickly).  I don't know if the information was easily available to anyone or not; because I recently moved I knew I had to change my voter information, so I was actively looking up how to go about it...I don't know if the info would be there for the more apathetic student.

We live just across the boundary of a neighbouring riding close to their polling station.  Our polling station was SIX MILES away.  Some seniors had trouble getting there to vote, and a few gave up altogether.  The polling station was in the middle of a rural area with no public transit available.  Why did they have so few polling stations?  Are they afraid of the disabled and the elderly? 

These rules disenfranchise vast numbers of those who are more likely to vote for parties other than the Con-servatives. Thus, they have 143 seats now. I'm betting that, if every citizen who wanted to vote was able to, the results would be far different.

Let us get real - I live in a rural area and thus had to drive, and quess what the parties also offered rides - one woman I know who voted NDP phoned the conservatives for a ride.

Hmm...well, that was not my experience.

I had my card..which had my mailing address..and I pulled out my passport.

Now, my passport is good enough for US & Canada border crossings, but, nope, it wasn't good enough for the person at the desk.

I had to find another piece of ID with my mailing address on it.

I was thinking "this is stupid", but was more polite in my comment.

The response was that I  could have moved.

I thought, I am not going to get into this one, but, if I had moved, what is the likelihood that the voters card with my name on and the polling station I was at, with my name on the registred voters list, would be any different than my id.....I mean? what is this supposed to catch.

let me think

• if I wanted to cheat, and had recently moved to somewhere outside of my current polling address, then I had the card, and probably old id.
• if I wanted to cheat and have recently moved to it, then it is unlikely my card would be in the polling stations address
• if i was someone other than who I said i was..then, wouldn't my passport rule that out.

The older woman after me also had to bring multiple items..and her daughter along with her, to ensure she could walk into the place...quick witted, absolutely, but blind as could be...they surely didn't know how to handle that one either.

I never got a voter card or any registration in the mail. I just took ID to my local voting station and it took them two minutes to register me. I don't see how they could turn anyone down that's completely unfair, all people needed was photo ID and proof of address.

The proof of address is a huge problem for some people, Lizz-Beth. In settings that are other than urban, the address critieria aren't easy to satisfy. It is an unfair system that I believe has robbed a lot of people of their right to vote.

Panentheism, put down language doesn't change the fact that I am aware that several people were not allowed to vote on Tuesday because they did not have the necessary address documentation. Yes, parties do offer rides to the polls and assisted those people in ensuring that they had necessary ID. How do you think I know that some couldn't pass that barrier? They don't have the right address ID nor did they know someone in their poll that could attest on their behalf.  

I spoke with someone in another community today who worked as a DRO and she said that their supervisor let a lot of people in, even though they didn't have the "right" documents. However, I can assure you, that wasn't the case here and I am hearing that wasn't the case in some other ridings with which I am familiar.

Again, if this was about fraud, where are the studies that show voter fraud is a problem of such magnitude that it's worth disallowing a lot of those on the margins? My view is that, if it really is about reducing a high level of fraud (which hasn't been demonstrated) then they need to implement citizenship documentation requirements. Otherwise, it's something that disenfranchises a number of people to no real benefit. After all, establishing your name and address is all that's needed for someone to vote illegally.

Where there is a past knowledge of people in charge misusing their powe,r polictical parties have their reps there to challenge - I have done that role.

The party reps can only challenge those issues that are within the legislation -- there is no opportunity to challenge a situation where a voter doesn't/can't meet the ID criteria, as they are legislative requirements. They are exclusionary, without reasonable justification and many people were removed from their right to vote. LB talks about this in another thread but it is following the pattern set by the US where those on the fringes have been cut out of the process.

Hmm, it could be part of 'life's rich tapestry' as both my fathers are wont to say.

You did get to vote, it seems. How were you feeling when you were going through the process?

They registered me even though my photo ID had my previous address on it.

This is one of the things I adore aboot what I have experienced of the Canadian electoral system -- very folksy...which includes "mistakes" like those you encountered. I'll fear the day when the Canadian electoral system becomes soulless and perfect. Ick.

Ah well, anecdotal evidence,

Inannawhimsey

That would not have happened here without extra address confirmation of your new address.

I had terrible problems voting. No matter how many times I voted, in all manner of polling stations and even cities, we ended up with the same government as before.

To be honest, I felt like if I argued they would deny my right to vote.  It's like being at the border, and though they may be asking what to you are foolish questions, the authority is too great to argue with them.

Luckily, I had further ID in my purse which met what they were looking for, so I was able to vote. 

Hey, I know how that feels at the border. I've got a few 'anti-anxiety' methods to cure myself of the willies momentarily.

How did you feel before the challenge to your passport?

Aren't purses handy -- one of the reasons why Monty Haul was such a *fine* program.

To poll or not to poll,

Inannawhimsey

InannaWhimsey wrote

This is one of the things I adore aboot what I have experienced of the Canadian electoral system -- very folksy...which includes "mistakes" like those you encountered. I'll fear the day when the Canadian electoral system becomes soulless and perfect. Ick.

I have to ask, if you had been deprived of your desire to vote would you feel the same?

Ah well, anecdotal evidence,

Exactly what got us into this mess.  The House Committee that enacted these changes did so based on "reports" from fellow MPs on the Committee.  No studies were made to whether the previous system was flawed, no solid proof that voter fraud existed and plagued with devious vote thieves running rampant through out the country.  They went counter to the recommendations of the Electoral Officer - the person one assumes actually was aware of voter fraud.

That is the current state of Canadian democracy and it is leaving out the folks.

I genuinely have to ask - is there really any one living in this country who should be denied the right to vote?

Because I believe that anyone impacted by the force of a governing body should have the right to have a say in who is going to control their lives....

LB

Of all tyrannies, a tyranny exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end, for they do so with the approval of their own conscience.     C.S. Lewis

Inannawhimsey: This is one of the things I adore aboot what I have experienced of the Canadian electoral system -- very folksy...which includes "mistakes" like those you encountered. I'll fear the day when the Canadian electoral system becomes soulless and perfect. Ick.

LBmuskoka: I have to ask, if you had been deprived of your desire to vote would you feel the same? 

Inannawhimsey: That is a bit like asking if I had aborted my child, would that deprive the world of a future Mozart? But I understand your intent...I face similar things when I cross the border. I realize my role in my anxiety and upsettedness and try to stay agnostic, until I know more, aboot the experience.

Inannawhimsey: Ah well, anecdotal evidence,

LBmuskoka: Exactly what got us into this mess.  The House Committee that enacted these changes did so based on "reports" from fellow MPs on the Committee.  No studies were made to whether the previous system was flawed, no solid proof that voter fraud existed and plagued with devious vote thieves running rampant through out the country.  They went counter to the recommendations of the Electoral Officer - the person one assumes actually was aware of voter fraud.

Inannawhimsey: What 'mess' would this be?

And I like the ring of that phrase 'devious vote thieves'...:3 Sounds simply RACY.

LBmuskoka: I genuinely have to ask - is there really any one living in this country who should be denied the right to vote?

Can you think of any legitimate reasons? And can you think of how 'errors' fit into the scheme?

So what do you think 'that means'?

I am sorry that Pinga had that experience. What does it prove to me? It proves that Pinga had that experience, which I am eager for her to share more of, because, like everyone else's, it is unique and worthy :3

Before I got out to vote, I was in reluctant mode, which is a state I find myself hier to, in that when I don't do something for a while, eventually it becomes harder for me to do or get the motivation to do. I liken it to inertia -- a train takes a LONG time to get up to speed, but once it is up to speed, watch out :3

I had to find where my local polling centre was, so I had to get over my initial fear of phones (it is one aspect of my stuttering avoidance) and call. Good thing the local centre was so close to my home, I could walk there. I remember the day was crisp, with high cirrus clouds and clean sunlight. I went into my observer mode as I walked, noting the people around me, the traffic, the streets, the plant life, the clouds, the smells, the school, how the gymnasium reminded me a bit of my elementary school. I was a bit down emotionally and intellectually at the time, in that zone where I feel as if I am not totally present, so when I was talking with the people, it was more like I was talking with the *memories* of them rather than the people themselves.

It wasn't busy, so I asked what should I do and a young lady (with a very nice black wrap) got me registered, first by looking to see if I was already registered and then writing my particulars on a sheet of paper, which I then took to two older men, one who, again, tried to look to see if I was already registered after me telling him I had just registered and then wrote some more stuff down. I was given the ticket and I voted.

Voting forward,

Inannawhimsey

LBmuskoka: I have to ask, if you had been deprived of your desire to vote would you feel the same? 

Inannawhimsey: That is a bit like asking if I had aborted my child, would that deprive the world of a future Mozart? 

Ah, not quite, one is a choice made by you, the other is a choice made for you.  Spot the difference.

Inannawhimsey: Ah well, anecdotal evidence,

LBmuskoka: Exactly what got us into this mess.  The House Committee that enacted these changes did so based on "reports" from fellow MPs on the Committee.  No studies were made to whether the previous system was flawed, no solid proof that voter fraud existed and plagued with devious vote thieves running rampant through out the country.  They went counter to the recommendations of the Electoral Officer - the person one assumes actually was aware of voter fraud.

Inannawhimsey: What 'mess' would this be?

The mess where people who wished to participate in democracy were denied their choice to do so.

And I like the ring of that phrase 'devious vote thieves'...:3 Sounds simply RACY.

I confess I am partial to flights of fancy, always liked a murder of crows.

LBmuskoka: I genuinely have to ask - is there really any one living in this country who should be denied the right to vote?

Can you think of any legitimate reasons?

Nope, which I know is scandolous but there you go.  Its still a free country, at least today.

And can you think of how 'errors' fit into the scheme?

There is no error in a person of authority saying No you, Ms. Voter, have no legitimacy.  There is only autocracy.

Now, perhaps you will note that I did the honour of answering your questions, perchance you could spare the kindness and answer mine...

LB

We stand today at a crossroads: One path leads to despair and utter hopelessness. The other leads to total extinction. Let us hope we have the wisdom to make the right choice.     Woody Allen