Voting rights restored to Canadians living abroad long-term (www.cbc.ca)

[dawnwastaken 0]

I apologize if this is not the correct place to post this.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/voting-rights-restored-to-canadians-living-abroad-long-term-1.2631760

[Udella&Wiz 325]

I know I'll be voting. wish the article yesterday had said more about how we'll register etc.

[floridaboundcanuk 7]

woo hoo... Now I can vote for socialists and I look forward to the day the liberals or ndp grant me non resident free health insurance :-D

(joking...but will probably eventually happen)

[Udella&Wiz 325]

snort!

woo hoo... Now I can vote for socialists and I look forward to the day the liberals or ndp grant me non resident free health insurance :-D

(joking...but will probably eventually happen)

[Lemonslice 4,710]

... and you can now register to vote right here : http://www.elections.ca/content.aspx?section=vot&dir=reg/svr&document=index〈=e

News Releases and Media Advisories Five-year Rule Eliminated for Canadian Electors Residing Abroad

GATINEAU, Tuesday, May 13, 2014

• On May 2, 2014, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice invalidated certain provisions of the Canada Elections Act that prevented non-resident electors from voting by special ballot in federal electoral events if the electors had resided abroad for five consecutive years or more. The decision is effective immediately. Accordingly, Elections Canada will no longer apply those provisions.
• Now, Canadian citizens aged 18 or older who reside abroad may apply to be added to the International Register of Electors and to vote by mail-in special ballot in federal general elections, by-elections and referendums, provided they have at some point resided in Canada.
• When a federal general election, by-election or referendum is called, Elections Canada will mail a special ballot voting kit to all eligible electors whose names appear in the International Register.
• Before this court ruling, Canadians residing abroad could vote by special ballot if they had resided abroad for fewer than five consecutive years and intended to move back to Canada in the future. Certain electors were exempt from the five-year rule, such as those serving abroad in the Canadian Forces or working at embassies abroad.

Vote. Shape your world.

Elections Canada is an independent body set up by Parliament.

Information:
Elections Canada Media Relations
1-877-877-9515
or at www.elections.ca

Source: http://www.elections.ca/content.aspx?section=med&document=may1314&dir=pre〈=e

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Thanks for adding this link. I've just downloaded the application form and sent it out in today's mail. It is really straight forward - and I am so looking forward to being able to vote again in Canada:-).

Basically, you register with either your last address in Canada or the address of a family member currently living in Canada, and vote in that constituency.

[Udella&Wiz 325]

Thanks - I wondered how they would determine which constituency

Thanks for adding this link. I've just downloaded the application form and sent it out in today's mail. It is really straight forward - and I am so looking forward to being able to vote again in Canada:-).

Basically, you register with either your last address in Canada or the address of a family member currently living in Canada, and vote in that constituency.

[Udella&Wiz 325]

Fun fact - the form doesn't work in the Safari browser

[Kathryn41 3,205]

I had no problems with Firefox

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Today in the mail I got my official notice from Elections Canada that 'my elector record has been updated in Elections Canada's International Register of Electors". When the next election is called they will send me a special ballot voting kit with all of the materials I need to cast my ballot under 'Special Voting Rules, Part 11 of the Canada Elections Act"

Yay!

It also states that if I know any other Canadians residing outside Canada who might wish to be added to the International Register of Electors to suggest they contact Elections Canada's website at www.elections.ca or contact the closest Canadian Consulate or Embassy.

This really was easy, and I am so glad I will be able to vote again. I've kept up to date with the concerns and issues from where I used to live, so it is nice once again to have a voice in Canada's future.

[Lemonslice 4,710]

Received mine today too!

Harper's government is going to appeal though... I hope to keep my right to vote. I still pay a whole lot of taxes in Canada, not fun when there is no way to say anything

[Udella&Wiz 325]

Cool - I finally got around to filling mine out last night

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Received mine today too!

Harper's government is going to appeal though... I hope to keep my right to vote. I still pay a whole lot of taxes in Canada, not fun when there is no way to say anything

Hah- I bet he's afraid all of us ex-pats will not vote for his party and will help to oust him!

[Kimbear 53]

Cool - I finally got around to filling mine out last night

Same here. Hadn't been on forums in a while then my sister told me i ha mail from elections canada. Came here saw the thread and went ohhh

Hah- I bet he's afraid all of us ex-pats will not vote for his party and will help to oust him!

No kidding eh? I still don't know how hes been allowed to stay in that long.

[Udella&Wiz 325]

Same here. Hadn't been on forums in a while then my sister told me i ha mail from elections canada. Came here saw the thread and went ohhh

No kidding eh? I still don't know how hes been allowed to stay in that long.

Ha! You've become American

But seriously...I think 2 terms is too little but geez, there should at least be some kind of limit.