Job Discussion Forums

[Hoser]

In the upcoming Canadian election. How would one go about doing that when in Japan? Can I just walk up to the consulate office and do it?

[Apsara]

I would contact the embassy/ consulate in advance to see if it is actually necessary to go there. First look at their website as they will most likely have information on voting for Canadian citizens in Japan.

This may not be relevant, but I used to go to the embassy to vote in NZ elections but last time I was able to cast my vote online.

[Glenski]

http://jalthokkaido.net/blog/2008/09/09/canadians-vote-too-ya-know/

[Ryu Hayabusa]

Yeah Hoser, I feel you, man. This election is more important than a lot of my friends and family back home realize.

Go, Green Party! Too bad the lack of proportional representation means that they probably won't get any MPs elected again. Still, isn't every vote worth $1.75 or something?

Thanks for the links, Glenski. They're really helpful. It's tough navigating through government websites sometimes. Now all I need is a printer.

[ntropy]

Message from the Chief Electoral Officer of Canada

Subject: Outside Canada? You can vote by mail!

Did you know that a federal election is being held on Tuesday, October 14, 2008 and that if you meet certain conditions, you can vote when you are temporarily living or travelling outside Canada?

If you are a Canadian citizen, you can vote by special mail-in ballot if you:
. are 18 or older on election day
and
. have a permanent residence in Canada, but are away from your electoral district during the election period
or
. have resided outside Canada for less than five consecutive years (or longer if you meet certain employment-based criteria)

For more information on eligibility criteria and how to register and vote by special mail-in ballot, go to the Elections Canada Web site at www.elections.ca and (click the icon � I'm Mailing Mailing My Vote ! � ). Special ballot application forms are also available by contacting Elections Canada at 1-800-463-6868 (toll-free in Canada and the United States) or 613-993-2975 (from anywhere in the world - collect calls accepted) or by visiting the nearest Canadian mission.

Register early! Your completed application form and supporting documentation must be received at Elections Canada in Ottawa by 6:00 p.m., Ottawa time, on Tuesday, October 7, 2008. You are responsible for allowing enough time for us to send you a special ballot voting kit and for you to return it before the deadline of 6:00 p.m., Ottawa time, on election day, on Tuesday, October 14, 2008. According to the Canada Elections Act, your vote cannot be counted if it is received late.

====================================================================

Un message du directeur g�n�ral des �lections du Canada

Objet : Vous �tes � l'�tranger? Vous pouvez voter par la poste!
Saviez-vous qu'il y aura une �lection g�n�rale le mardi 14 octobre 2008, et que si vous r�pondez � certains crit�res, vous pouvez voter lorsque vous r�sidez temporairement ou voyagez � l'�tranger?
Si vous �tes un citoyen canadien, vous pouvez voter par la poste au moyen du bulletin de vote sp�cial :
. si vous avez au moins 18 ans le jour d'�lection;
et
o si vous avez une r�sidence permanente au Canada, mais �tes absent de votre circonscription pendant la p�riode �lectorale;
ou
o si vous r�sidez � l'�tranger depuis moins de cinq ann�es cons�cutives (ou plus longtemps, si vous r�pondez � certains crit�res li�s � l'emploi).

Pour de plus amples renseignements sur les crit�res d'admissibilit�, l'inscription et le vote par la poste � l'aide du bulletin sp�cial, consultez le site Web d'�lections Canada � www.elections.ca et cliquez sur �Mon vote, je le poste ! �. Vous pouvez �galement obtenir le formulaire de demande pour voter par bulletin sp�cial en communiquant avec �lections Canada au 1 800 463 6868 (sans frais au Canada et aux �tats Unis) ou au 613 993 2975 (de partout au monde - appels � frais vir�s accept�s), ou en vous adressant � la mission canadienne la plus proche.

Inscrivez-vous au plus t�t ! Votre formulaire de demande rempli et les documents � l'appui requis doivent parvenir � �lections Canada � Ottawa avant 18 h, heure d'Ottawa, le mardi 7 octobre 2008. Il vous appartient de pr�voir les d�lais d'exp�dition de votre trousse de vote par bulletin sp�cial et de son retour � Ottawa et ce, avant l'�ch�ance 18 h, heure d'Ottawa, le jour d'�lection, le mardi 14 octobre 2008. En vertu de la Loi �lectorale du Canada, votre vote ne peut pas �tre compt� s'il arrive en retard.