Advance voting starts today!
Advance voting is this long weekend. Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday at the Athletic Hall (beside the Multiplex hockey arena and North Island College) from 9AM to 9PM.
How do you vote?
Elections Canada has all the info. If you received a voting card, bring it with you along with photo ID. That is the fastest way.
If you don’t have a voting card don’t worry, just bring your ID and you can register when you get there.
What kind of ID? Easiest is any piece of government issued photo ID. That’s all you need.
No gov photo ID? That’s ok, any official card or a bill statement with your name and current address will work! Here’s a full list.
Still don’t have anything? That’s OK! If you have someone who knows you and is willing to vouch for where you live and who you are, then you can vote!
How do I get there.
Finally, if you have any doubts about being able to get to the polling station, all of the political party offices will be happy to give you a ride from anywhere! Don’t worry, they are not allowed to tell you how to vote!
In alphabetical order, here are the local numbers:
Conservative Party: 778-909-0019
Green Party: 250-594-4141
Liberal Party: (sorry I couldn’t find a phone number) teamjonah.courtenayalberni@gmail.com
New Democratic Party: 1-855-716-7130
Who am I voting for? I won’t say directly.
If you have seen me lately you will probably have seen my hat with a couple of pins in it. This is unusual for me. I don’t usually back a candidate or party from the start, but this year I did. I’m even volunteering for them, another first for me!
If you have followed me on Twitter you will have figured out by now who that is. Suffice to say my top issues are transitioning the economy to low carbon immediately to fight climate change, first nations reconciliation, social justice, and strong local representation. There is only one candidate, one party and one party leader that fits all those for me. You might have different estimations and considerations. 🙂
If you are still undecided, I strongly encourage you to meet as many of the candidates as you can. Barring that, I have posted a link to each party platform (if available) below. Try your best to be informed, but also, don’t be afraid to go with your gut!
VOTE! 🙂
Here are the platforms
Conservative Party of Canada : Platform ; Costing not Released
Green Party of Canada: Platform ; Platform Costing
Liberal Party: Platform ; Costing not released
New Democratic Party: Platform ; Platform Costing
Parliamentary Budget Office Documents
In addition to full costed platforms that the Greens and NDP have released, they as well as the Liberals and Conservatives have submitted “requests” to the Parliamentary Budget Office for specific programs and promises to be assessed.
You can see that extensive list here.
And if you can’t vote this weekend for whatever reason, don’t worry, the actual election/general voting day is Monday October 21st!