Would you give up federal ballot to vote in US election?

[bush_cheney2004]

Now this is interesting.....not a new idea...but the numbers are higher than I thought. Perhaps this is because "nationalism" and "patriotism" don't run as deep? Can't dual citizens vote in BOTH federal elections?

Fifteen per cent of Canadians would give up their ballot in Canada's next federal election to vote in the U.S. election, a new poll co-sponsored by the CBC has found.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/yourview/2008/02/15...d_rather_v.html

Would you give up your vote in exchange for a chance at American dimpled chads?

[Visionseeker]

Now this is interesting.....not a new idea...but the numbers are higher than I thought. Perhaps this is because "nationalism" and "patriotism" don't run as deep? Can't dual citizens vote in BOTH federal elections?

Fifteen per cent of Canadians would give up their ballot in Canada's next federal election to vote in the U.S. election, a new poll co-sponsored by the CBC has found.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/yourview/2008/02/15...d_rather_v.html

Would you give up your vote in exchange for a chance at American dimpled chads?

I'm not all that aware of US rules regarding voting overseas (does one merely needs to be a US citizen to be eligible, or are there restrictions?).

Canadians residing outside of Canada for less than five consecutive years, and who also intend to resume residence in Canada, are eligible to vote in Canadian federal elections (note: the 5 years limit does not apply to those in the service of the government or military abroad). So I would say that a dualist residing in the US could indeed vote in the US and Canadian elections within the 5 year time frame (that is, unless US laws somehow prohibit them from voting in the US).

As for Canadian law, a citizen residing in Canada has every right to vote regardless of any additional voting rights they possess in other countries.

I do not have such privileges. But if I did, my vote would’ve been committed to Obama the day he announced his candidacy. Following his keynote address in 2004, I came across his book and was left with a sense of prophecy (which is a tall order for an atheist). Of course there is always the possibility that he could win the office and turn-out to be a disappointment, but the movement and hope he inspires almost makes such a let-down worth it.

[bush_cheney2004]

I do not have such privileges. But if I did, my vote would’ve been committed to Obama the day he announced his candidacy. Following his keynote address in 2004, I came across his book and was left with a sense of prophecy (which is a tall order for an atheist). Of course there is always the possibility that he could win the office and turn-out to be a disappointment, but the movement and hope he inspires almost makes such a let-down worth it.

I guess you would have plenty of company. The actual mechanism is loosely explained here:

Americans living outside the United States can vote in the Democratic race through Democrats Abroad as long as they hold valid passports. This year, for the first time, expatriates were able to cast primary ballots online, as well as by mail and in person at voting centres in 35 countries (there are 13 centres in Canada).

http://www.nationalpost.com/news/world/use....html?id=288044

[M.Dancer]

Would you give up your vote in exchange for a chance at American dimpled chads?

Not a chance at the best of times and even less with the choices offered now.

[GostHacked]

Now this is interesting.....not a new idea...but the numbers are higher than I thought. Perhaps this is because "nationalism" and "patriotism" don't run as deep? Can't dual citizens vote in BOTH federal elections?

Fifteen per cent of Canadians would give up their ballot in Canada's next federal election to vote in the U.S. election, a new poll co-sponsored by the CBC has found.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/yourview/2008/02/15...d_rather_v.html

Would you give up your vote in exchange for a chance at American dimpled chads?

Surprisingly .... no.

[BubberMiley]

In response to the question, yes, for sure. Absolutely. Voting for the Canadian government sometimes feels like voting for the student council president. Whoever wins is just going to get shut down by the principal anyway.

[margrace]

I don't think Canadian voters are that naive. People I talk to cannot believe the circus that is going on in the US and probably would be very uncomfortable with that in Canada. Just the reaction to the few side shows we have had pretty well explains that.

[guyser]

No, and I suspect plenty of people asked just said yes without much thought.

[bush_cheney2004]

No, and I suspect plenty of people asked just said yes without much thought.

Not according to the follow-up comments to the story at CBC. I think there is a lot more going on here, from the perceived impotence and "poodle factor" because of PM Harper's Tories coincident with a Bush administration, to outright disgust with US voters for not making the "right choices".

Giving up one's own domestic ballot in favor of another in the USA probably echoes several other wannabe desires. The question probably doesn't work for the chance to vote in Mexico or Camaroon.

[guyser]

Not according to the follow-up comments to the story at CBC. I think there is a lot more going on here, from the perceived impotence and "poodle factor" because of PM Harper's Tories coincident with a Bush administration, to outright disgust with US voters for not making the "right choices".

Giving up one's own domestic ballot in favor of another in the USA probably echoes several other wannabe desires. The question probably doesn't work for the chance to vote in Mexico or Camaroon.

Cant argue that.

Just that I felt that this was more of a case of highschool hysterics. (Someone dies at school and the whole student body is crying, even though 95% didnt know the person)

[Guest American Woman]

Giving up one's own domestic ballot in favor of another in the USA probably echoes several other wannabe desires. The question probably doesn't work for the chance to vote in Mexico or Camaroon.

Most likely because Mexico's and Camaroon's actions don't unfavorably affect the whole world.

Edited February 9, 2008 by American Woman