articles
November 9, 2000 -- updated November 17
My Advice: Use the Net to Get on the Voters List
by Barbara Fletcher
You may not realize it, but if you have not received your Voter
Identification Card from Elections Canada, you need to take matters into your
own hands to ensure that you can vote in our
Federal Election on November 27.
And after my experience this morning with the 1-800 number, I highly recommend skipping right over the
phone and using the Internet (being the Net-savvy person that you are) to get on the Voters List this
year.
This morning, while gulping my coffee, I watched Elections Canada's latest ad featuring random shoppers
who are queried "Are you on the List?"
Realizing that I did not receive my Voter Indentification Card, I bolted for the phone and dialed the toll-free number
for the Elections Canada Enquiries Unit: 1-800-INF0-VOTE or 1-800-463-6868.
Busy. Busy again. Busy again.
Finally I got through and heard the dreaded recording informing me that there were no agents to take
my call.
Then, instead of being placed in a queue with CBC
light classics pleasantly piped into my ears, the recorded voice
informed me that all lines were busy and that I should call back.
Call back?!
Nobody has the time to sit by the phone all day hitting "redial." But I redialed anyway. After a few tries
I got into the IVR (that annoying acronym for the prerecorded database of voice messages used to present
options to a user). After choosing to speak with an agent, my connection was terminated. Yes, Elections Canada
hung up on me.
Not about to be beaten by the phone, I decided to give the Internet a try. After all, it's the best
research tool on the planet. So I entered http://www.elections.ca
and the heavens opened up and shone down on my PC. With a few simple clicks I found out that
I can use the Internet to get on the Voters List.
Although somewhat buried in the site, the
Application
for Registration page provides instructions for filling out the
form and correctly
providing identification. Be sure that you
mail both the form and copies of your I.D. to the
Elections
Canada office in your riding. All registration forms need to reach your local Elections
Canada office no later than 6:00 p.m. on the Tuesday before election day (November 21).
Note: I called my Toronto Centre --
Rosedale riding office to inquire about faxing my form and I.D. They confirmed that they accept
faxes; however, with just one fax machine in their office, they advised against it. Check with your
Elections Canada office for your riding for more information).
Of course, today was the first day past the the November 8 deadline when you could call
Elections Canada, and this may explain the busy signals and
IVR glitches. The 1-800 number is available from 7:00 A.M. to 1:00 A.M. EST, but the
contact
information page recommends calling during non-peak hours: before 9:00 A.M. and after 7:00 P.M.
Regardless of how you choose to get on the list, be a good Canadian:
pick
your party and VOTE.
Related links:
List of Electoral Candidates
Sympatico's Federal Election Site