Guadalajara Reporter - Canada prepares to go to the polls

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Canada prepares to go to the polls

Written by GR Staff

Saturday, 20 September 2008

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper has called a federal general election for Tuesday October 14.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper holds a 10-14 point lead over his rivals with less than a month to go before the general election.

In stark contrast to the U.S. election, turnout is expected to be low. According to some analysts, it could even break the record for the lowest ever turnout in Canadian history.

Harper is seeking 28 more seats in the House of Commons in order get a majority government. Recent opinion polls suggest that the Tory party has a 10-14 point lead over Stephane Dion’s Liberals.
With not much time before the election, time is of the essence for Canadian citizens wanting to vote from Mexico. If eligible, they should go to the website www.elections.ca and select the link “Voting by mail while inside or outside of Canada” and follow the instructions.

The Canadian Consulate in Guadalajara is recommending that Canadian citizens living or travelling in the area send their voter registration forms by fax to Elections Canada before September 30, 2008. They can be obtained from the website. The fax number is 613-998-8393. The actual application deadline to register to secure a postal vote is 6 p.m. on October 7, but logistically it may be a complicated process from Mexico after September 30.

Once registered, special ballots can be sent through Canadian diplomatic representations. The deadline to bring special ballots to the Mexico City embassy or consulates elsewhere in Mexico is office closing time on Wednesday, October 1. After that date, Canadians will be responsible for ensuring that their special ballots reach Elections Canada in Ottawa before October 14.

Says the Guadalajara Consulate: “Obviously, the quicker you register to vote and receive your special ballot, the more likely it is that you will be able to send the ballot to the consulate by October 1.”

The Consulate in Guadalajara is located at Avenida Mariano Otero 1249, Col. Rinconada del Bosque, across from Expo Guadalajara.

Should one fail to make the deadlines, the postal address for Elections Canada is 440 Coventry Road, PO Box 9830, Stn T, Ottawa, Ontario K1G 5W7.

The Consulate says that should Canadians have to send the special ballot personally to Canada, it is best they use a private postal service, such as DHL. It must reach Ottawa by 6 p.m. on October 14. Any ballots that are received after that date will not be counted due to regulations under the Canada Elections Act.

For any further information or queries, the toll-free number of the Canadian embassy from inside Mexico is 001-800-514-6868.