The voter's how-to: your guide to the polls
By Sheena Brennan
Lance Writer
October 8, 2008
 Canada’s 40th general election takes place on Oct. 14, and while some of you are still getting well versed on the platforms, what might be even more important to consider is how to place your vote. Many students at the University of Windsor are not from the Windsor area, but are still eligible to vote here.
The right to vote in the upcoming federal election is a proud moment for many Canadian citizens. Yet studies show that in the 2000 federal election, only 25 per cent of young electors voted. Not only does voting give someone a chance to be heard, but it can help support the party. Each party receives $1.75 for every vote they receive the previous year. This is possible as long as they receive at least two per cent of the national votes cast or five percent of the eligible votes cast in the ridings in which they ran candidates. Therefore even if the party you are hoping to support does not win, the funds you provide them will help in the next election.
The first thing a voter must know is whether they can vote. In order to vote in this election you must be a Canadian citizen and be at least18 years of age as of the election day, Oct. 14. Only someone who has been out of the country for the last five years but who is still a Canadian citizen over the age of 18 is restricted from voting in this election.
The first indication that you are registered to vote is if you received a voter information card in the mail. This card has information about where to vote and when the polls will be open. If you did not receive this card it is very likely that you are not registered to vote; you may not be registered if you have recently turned 18 or relocated.
There is no need to worry because there is still an opportunity to register. First of all, you will have to contact the Returning Officer at the Elections Canada office. They will be able to tell you if you are registered to vote or if you have to change your address to be registered in the correct division. If you are not registered you can register on Oct. 14 or on Oct. 3 to 6 at your advance polling location. In order to register you must provide proof of identification.
Not only must you present identification to register, you must also present it to vote. The best form of identification is a government issued photo identification with your name and address. A driver’s license or passport would work best.
If you do not have either of these there are other options. The next best thing would be to have a piece of identification with your photo on it, such as your student card, accompanied by an original document with your name and address such as a utility bill or residential lease.
If you are living in residence you can ask the administration in your building for an “attestation of residence,” this is a legal form that states your address. If you do not have access to any of these, your last option is to have a friend or family member in the same polling division as you, with proper identification, vouch for you. You and your witness must make a sworn statement that you are who you claim to be. If you wish to vote in Windsor but are from out of town, while in school your ordinary residence is where you are living. To determine your electoral district, Elections Canada has a website that will tell you depending on your address. If you live in the district of the university, the polls will be located in Vanier Hall on the lower floor. If you attend the university but are not in the district, you cannot vote at the university, you must vote in your appropriate division.
If you cannot make it to the polls on election day, or you do not wish to vote on election day there is the option of voting in the advance polls or voting by mail. If you wish to vote by mail you would have already had to send in a request to vote by special ballot.
Once a special ballot request has been sent, you may not vote any other way. The advance polls are open from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. at your designated area.
In order to vote properly it is important to know who the local representative is for your area.
The Windsor West area is currently being represented by John Esposito for the Green Party, Larry Horwitz for the Liberal Party, Lisa Lumley for the Conservative Party, Brian Masse for the New Democratic Party, Elizabeth Rowley for the Communist Party, and finally Margaret Villamizar for the Marxist-Leninist Party.
The Windsor-Tecumseh district being is represented by Joe Comartin for the New Democratic Party, Denise Ghanam for the Conservative Party, Steve Mastroianni for the Liberal Party and Kyle Prestanski for the Green Party.
Being informed is only the first step, taking the time to vote is the step that makes the difference.
For more information, or to find out where to vote you can check the Elections Canada website at www.elections.ca, or call the Windsor-West Returning Officer toll free at 1-866-288-1317, or the Windsor-Tecumseh Returning Officer toll free at 1-866-288-1284. They will be able to provide you with any additional information.
|
