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Longest Ballot Committee potentially thwarted Elections Canada to modify ballot for by-election Leslie Cholowsky Editor
Elections Canada announced on Monday, July 28, that due to the high number of candidates (over 209 as of Monday) for the upcoming by-election, voters at advance and election-day polls will be using an adapted ballot. “The adapted ballot will feature a blank space where electors can write the name of their preferred candidate. “This will replace the typical list-style ballot, on which electors mark a blank circle next to the name of a candidate of their choice.” In order for a vote to be counted, electors must hand write the name of their candidate of choice. “As long as the elector’s intention is clear, their vote will be counted, even if they misspell the candidate’s name.” Voters may also write the name of their candidate’s political party, if applicable. “But if the elector writes only the party’s name, their ballot cannot be counted - it must have the name of the elector’s preferred candidate.” A list of candidates will be available at every voting table so that electors can
find the name of their candidate of choice. These adapted write-in ballots will feature the same security and integrity measures found on a normal ballot, says Elections Canada. Monday’s announcement also says, “Elections Canada is aware that the changes to the ballot may reduce its accessibility for some electors. “All regular accessibility tools will still be available, but some of them, such as the braille list of candidates and adapted braille voting template, will only be available on election day (Monday, Aug. 18). “Anyone who has concerns can contact the Elections Canada office in Battle River–Crowfoot to find out what options and accessibility supports are available to them.” Electors who feel they need support when voting are welcome to bring a friend, family member, or caregiver to assist them, including helping them to complete their ballot. “Election workers, who are sworn to maintain the secrecy of the vote, are also available to help.”
Eligible voters in the upcoming byelection can vote by special ballot at the local Elections Canada office in Camrose. They may also apply online to vote by mail, or apply by mail or fax, but this must be done by Tuesday, Aug. 12. Elections Canada has also warned that due to the large number of candidates, election results may take longer than normal to report and publish on the website elections.ca. To learn more about the adapted ballot, visit elections.ca, or contact the Elections Canada office in Battle River-Crowfoot, located at 6601 48 Avenue, Suite 27, Camrose, Alberta T4V 3G8 Toll-free phone: 1 866 354-7174 and Toll-free fax : 1 888 756-4658. That office is open Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays noon to 4 p.m. The Longest Ballot Committee, largely responsible for most of the independent candidates, told CBC News that Election Canada’s decision “Sounds like they found a very reasonable solution.” In the General Election, there were 91 candidates which resulted in a ballot that was more than a metre long.
Enjoying a lazy summer day at the lake The Community Press office will be CLOSED Monday, August 5 for the Civic Holiday. We will reopen Tuesday, Aug. 6 at 9 a.m. and our next edition LESLIE CHOLOWSKY PHOTO will still be published Wedneday. Aug. 7 With a mostly sunny day, and beautiful surroundings, it was the perfect day on Saturday to spend some time at Sedgewick Lake Park, wasTuesday, full of campers, Ad deadlines willwhich be noon Aug. 6both local and visitors, whether there for the day or for the entire weekend. More Inside!