For those who do not already know, that Voter Information Card you receive in the mail that tells you where to vote is printed out in the first week of the election campaign. They print out a whole bunch of mailing labels, a whole bunch of cards with poll locations all them, and then bring in an army of low wage temp workers to stick the proper label on the proper card. There are thousands of workers sticking labels on millions of VIC cards in a rush to get them to Canada Post by the end of week two, and mistakes happen. Thousands are returned by the post office to EC riding offices for a variety of reasons, be it incorrect address or the elector being deceased. Most of the temporary workers are efficient and effective workers, but there is always at least one absent minded, seemingly competent, worker in that room.
During the last election, Elections Canada changed 127 poll locations during the campaign (and at a national average of about 900 voters per location), that would mean that roughly 115,000 voters (give or take 10,000) had their poll locations changed mid election. How did EC inform all of these people that their polls had changed? They can't call everyone because they don't have every voter's phone number (that is not mandatory information, and many people don't want to volunteer it). The best thing they can do is mail out new VIC cards, hope they arrive in time and that the elector shreds the old one. It does seem strange to instruct the parties not to call people to inform them that a poll location had been changed. That doesn't help get the vote out. Changing any poll location will create a mass of confusion among those affected, so when you had the media last week reporting on alleged "massive electoral fraud", anyone who received a phone call they didn't like or were informed that poll locations had changed, suddenly thinks they might have been the victim of attempted fraud (with the real kick in pants being that the overwhelming majority of complainants actually did get to vote).
it shouldn't matter much there is a toll free number on the card call it they will give you the rite info. besides as long as your in the same riding you can go to any polling station. even on election nite and vote. all the electorate does and phone the rite polling station and tell them that so and so voted here instead and they erase or cross out there name. I know I did it. so even if Robo call direct you to the wrong polling station you can still vote there as long as it is for the same person in your riding.
ReplyDeleteActually Anonymous, you are only allowed to vote at your predetermined voting location. If you aren't on their list, or your address isn't in a specific area, you'll be directed to another polling location. You can't just vote at any location, so your entire comment is incorrect.
Deleteactually the iceman. I did it my self you go in you bring your card and a witness with you you show them i.d you say you can't get home intime to vote there. and they will register you to vote at that voting station I should know I did it I could not make it home intime. if you have I.D and someone who can vouch for you it can be done...
DeleteThe witness is supposed to vouch that you are who you say you are and that you live in polling district.
DeleteIf you have ID, you don't need a witness. Just because it happens, doesn't make it legal.
Iceman, have you ever scrutineered at polling stations? People come in off the street who are not on the list, with no ID at all and vote, all of the time. Last election, the no ID/not on the list people were at least 20% of the voters at the station I scrutineered at. All they have to do is "solemnly swear" to the DRO that they are who they say they are, and that's it.
ReplyDeleteI have worked at the polls. I'd say your 20% estimate is ridiculous. What riding was that? Perhaps you should have reported these cases in your duty as a scrutineer?
DeleteWas this Saanich Gulf Islands or something because dollars to donuts the avaaz eco-terror squad was out in full force in that riding doing exactly what you're talking about.
DeleteI didn't get a VIC this time around. LOL.
ReplyDeleteSanctity of the voter information card? What about the sanctity of the secret ballot? I'm tired of hearing the opposition demand that the conservatives release their calling lists to public scrutiny. I don't want information about how I vote made public or available to anyone to use however they please. Elections Canada is the only entity that should get that information.
ReplyDeleteif you don't know where you are supposed to vote then maybe you are not well enough informed to even vote.
ReplyDeleteYou needed ID. You also needed at least a piece of mail or a neighbour to validate your residency in the riding.
ReplyDeleteI watched many people be sent home for ID but just "solemnly swearing" is not the process and if that occurred, this is an EC issue.
That would suggest that ANYONE could vote anywhere, anytime.
thanks bec I was a scrutineer to at 1 time and I watched the processed and we checked with elections canada. about that so the robocall thing to me don't make much sense unless you have been directed to a vacant lot. but thats why there is a phone number on the card.
DeleteWhen we first moved here, we were sent to the wrong polling station. But as the first commenter said, we were allowed to vote there and the correct polling station was notified. So it does happen.
ReplyDeleteold lady
of course it does happens it's been checked out bye elections canada. so Ice I think you better Brush up on your knowlege before you comment on here.
DeleteWhen did you first move there? Election laws do change over time and aren't the same in every election.
DeleteAnd again, just because it happens somewhere, doesn't mean that's the law everywhere.
Brrr:
ReplyDeleteI just don't understand the scenario you present. I have lived and voted in the same small village for 25 years and I was required to produce ID, even with my card with the correct address, and being recognized by the scrutineers. I did so, though, the card instructs one to bring ID with them.
Maybe you should have contacted EC.
Actually, there were a lot of issues with polling station locations, and confusion surfaced early on. As I remember (and I admit to not being overly attentive), the issue was changed coming from Election Canada not being communicated to the affected voters. Also, because the advance poll had to be held over Easter weekend, those polling stations weren't always in the 'usual' location.
ReplyDeleteIt could well be that the volunteers manning the phone lines were giving out faulty information, but in good faith.