|
|
|
 Everything you wanted to know but were afraid to ask!So, you're interested in voting but not sure what to do or even what you need to know? No worries, most people don't know, and we have all the information you need to help get you started. Let's start with some basic facts:1. The election will be held on October 14, 2008. Election campaigns cannot be more than 36 days as set out in the Canada Elections Act (the law that governs federal elections). 2. If you are reading this, you are probably already being bombarded with TV, print and radio ads telling you why you should vote for a particular party. The important part is to find out which party fits best for you and who is running in your riding. 3. There are 308 ridings (electoral areas) in Canada. Each riding represents one seat in the House of Commons and is represented by a Member of Parliament (MP). If you are unsure of your riding, you can connect to Elections Canada web site at: www.elections.ca 4. In order to vote, it is important to know: Are you eligible to vote?If you are a Canadian citizen and will be 18 or older on election day... congrats! You get to exercise your democratic right. Are you registered to vote?The majority of eligible voters are already registered to vote thanks to the National Register of Electors (a list of Canadians who have the right to vote). Elections Canada updates the Register in a number of ways (car registration, income tax return, Citizenship and Immigration, etc). So, even if you have moved in the recent past, you still may be on the list. If you are on the list you will receive (in the mail) a voter information card. This confirms that your name is on the list. The card also tells you when and where to vote. All you have to do is sign the card and send it back (it is pre-stamped - and you thought the government doesn't give you anything for free!) Once you have done this, you should receive a confirmation card. If you are NOT registered to vote...Don't sweat it if you aren't on the list. It's easy to get on. All you have to do is pick up the phone and call Elections Canada at 1-800 INFO VOTE (1-800-463-6868). They are very nice people who will help you get on the list. You can also go to your polling station on elections day and register then. The only catch is that you have to know where your polling station is located. If you are not sure, call 1-800 INFO VOTE (1-800-463-6868) and give them your postal code. What do I need to bring?You need to bring ID. Here are your options of what to bring. This is really important. YOU CAN'T VOTE IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE ID YOU NEED! Option 1 - Provide one original piece of identification issued by a government or government agency containing your photo, name and address. Option 2 - Provide two original pieces of identification authorized by the Chief Electoral Officer of Canada (see list). Both pieces must contain your name, and one must also contain your address. Option 3 - You can be vouched for by an elector whose name appears on the list of electors in the same polling division and who has an acceptable piece or pieces of identification. Both will be required to make a sworn statement. An elector cannot vouch for more than one person, and the person who has been vouched for cannot vouch for another elector. What riding are you in/who are your candidates?The next step is to find out who is running for elected office in your riding (community). This will help you decide when you get to the ballot box. To know which riding you are in you can:Go to the Elections Canada website and click on Electoral Districts. Call Elections Canada: Write to Elections Canada: Both the website and the voter information line will tell you which district you are in and provide you with the list of candidates in your area. The tough part is in deciding who to vote for. This is completely up to you! Watch the debates (check back at www.muchmusic.com for times and dates), read the media, watch the media, meet the candidates, tune in to MuchMusic and visit our website. Any questions email us at MuchVote@MuchMusic.com Do you know where and how to vote?The "where to vote" part can be found out in a few ways: The "how to vote" part is actually quite straight forward, but let's go through it just in case. 1. Get out of bed, get dressed, brush your teeth (shower optional). Head down to your polling station (can be located in a school, community centre, etc). Check polling times in your area, but as a general guideline they tend to open between 7 and 8:30 am and close between 7 and 8:30 pm (they are staggered across the country so that people in the west don't find out how people in the east voted before they head to the polls—that means polls our west close at 7 or 7:30—more info here: www.elections.ca). 2. People seated at tables (poll clerks and deputy returning officers) will guide you to the proper table where you must show identification (driver's license, health card, etc) and/or your voter information card. 3. A poll clerk will get you to fill out and sign a registration certificate. Sitting next to him/her is the deputy returning officer who will give you a folded ballot. 4. You go behind a voting screen, mark an X in the circle beside the name of the candidate you choose, and fold up your ballot. 5. Finally, take your ballot back to the same table and place it in the ballot box. Did you know that you can take time off work to vote? It's true, your employer is required by law to provide you with time to go down to your polling station and vote. Make sure to take advantage! If you are going to be away or aren't able to vote in person, you can vote in the advance polls or by special ballot. To do so, call Elections Canada: 1-800 INFO VOTE (1-800-463-6868) Key information source:Elections Canada 1-800 INFO VOTE (1-800-463-6868) toll-free in Canada and the U.S. For people who are hearing impaired: TTY 1-800-361-8935 PH# 613-954-8584 Did we forget something? Email us at MuchVote@MuchMusic.com |
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
