We were startled to receive a large postcard in the mail today, announcing that school board elections for our arrondisement would be held soon, and that NO ONE AT THIS ADDRESS is currently registered to vote on the school electoral lists. In other words - we (not a candidate, not a political party - just YOUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT - want you to vote, and please get down there and register.
We would if we could - but we're not citizens, and not eligible to vote. But I certainly appreciate being tracked. And asked.
What a novel idea.
And very good that they put that information on the outside of the letter, on the envelope. My beloved received a letter from Elections Canada last elections and thought it was her voting card. Only when she opened it at the polling station she found out that it was a notice that she wasn't registered as a voter. A bit strange since they knew her name and address to tell her that. But it was too late for her and that's why our candidate lost (with a 4 % margin) in our riding.
I'm not a citizen either but aplied for citizenship last week and in 15 months or so, when they have processed my application, I'm going to vote.
Posted by: mare | October 16, 2007 at 01:09 AM
Mare, it's always good to get your comments here, especially on Montreal matters! Congrats on your application - I wish all these waiting and processing periods weren't so long.
Posted by: beth | October 16, 2007 at 06:10 PM
At least they do it with a bit of discretion! Here in Japan, two times a year for two weeks, the local and national politicasl candidates drive around the neighborhoods booming their campaigns from megaphones turned up full blast, all day long. What makes it really awful is that often there will be six or more vans driving about in the same area all competing with one another. Back in Tokyo when I used to work at home, there once was this local minister who stood right outside my apartment screaming into a megaphone without stop. After the fourth day I stepped outside and, reigning in my fury, politely told him that, just like him I needed to do my work and couldn't even here myself think with all the racket he was making. Being a politician he apologized profusely, but came up with all sorts of excuses for why it was necessary for him to continue waking up the neighborhood. So I made a deal with him, I wouldn't cause a scandal if he kept his blatherings to two hours, after which he had to move on. The next day he arrived as usual at the spot under my apartment window and after two hours packed up and went to go bother another local inhabitant. I really think this style of campaigning ought to be outlawed, but like usual the Japanese never complain about anything. And voting levels here are simply awful.
Posted by: miguel | October 16, 2007 at 07:08 PM
How totally annoying! Canadians would campaign like that - they're way too polite, and noise is the thing they always get upset about.
Posted by: beth | October 16, 2007 at 08:07 PM
In Ireland, non-citizens ARE allowed to vote in local elections. Otherwise, it's taxation without representation, the reasoning goes.
Posted by: dave | October 18, 2007 at 12:26 PM