Why do the Harper Conservatives dislike students?

[cybercoma]

The "vote mob" dealy is just a pop culture phenomenon designed to get young voters interested in the election. I find it absolutely hilarious that so many people are 1) completely out of touch with youth, and 2) seriously afraid of them voting, probably as a result of 1.

[punked]

The "vote mob" dealy is just a pop culture phenomenon designed to get young voters interested in the election. I find it absolutely hilarious that so many people are 1) completely out of touch with youth, and 2) seriously afraid of them voting, probably as a result of 1.

I am not afraid of them voting I welcome it. I am against treating different groups of voters in special ways. Explain to me why we should make it easier or harder for anyone to vote? Or why the voting box should go those who are under 25 but not those over 25?

[Molly]

Horsecrap yourself. Voters at the special poll have to register and designate where they want their vote to go, those who are national voters and wish to vote in their home riding may elect to do so, but those ballots have to be mailed, and the ballots are blank so they have to write in the name of the candidate. So any ballots in the box are for that riding.

The 'votemob' concept was to get these students organized to vote in that riding as it was a close call the last time.

You are .. ahem... unclear on the concept. (All the concepts.)

[cybercoma]

Explain to me why we should make it easier or harder for anyone to vote? Or why the voting box should go those who are under 25 but not those over 25?

We shouldn't make it harder for people to vote. If there are groups of people that are under-represented by elections because they are not casting votes for whatever reason, we should do whatever we can to encourage them to vote. A house that is not representative of the population is useless. Granted, it's the students' fault for not going to the polls, but so is it the aged and those with limited mobility for not getting to the polls. The least we can do to ensure the most representative democracy possible is setup a poll closer to them to encourage more take part.

[Molly]

I am not afraid of them voting I welcome it. I am against treating different groups of voters in special ways. Explain to me why we should make it easier or harder for anyone to vote? Or why the voting box should go those who are under 25 but not those over 25?

For pity sake... name me some group that has reasonably requested accommodation that has been turned down.

This is not something reserved for students or the young. In fact, other than for the military where it's just administratively easier to do it as a group thing instead of having everyone chase it down individually, it's pretty much the first time I've heard of it being used for the young. As a rule, it's more often pulled out to accommodate the old and the sick!

It's not new, or odd, or any stretch of the rules at all. Making voting possible is the returning officer's JOB. If you reasonably request that EC staff comde to your home to accept your vote, it will be done. Voting is important- important enough to do everything reasonable to make it possible.

[punked]

We shouldn't make it harder for people to vote. If there are groups of people that are under-represented by elections because they are not casting votes for whatever reason, we should do whatever we can to encourage them to vote. A house that is not representative of the population is useless. Granted, it's the students' fault for not going to the polls, but so is it the aged and those with limited mobility for not getting to the polls. The least we can do to ensure the most representative democracy possible is setup a poll closer to them to encourage more take part.

There will a poll in that University on May 2 like every year. However on that day it is possible for everyone in the public to go out and vote. Providing unequal access to a poll for a group of people is wrong. It is how you justify a lot of what went on in the southern US during the 50s and 60s. It is wrong. If these youth want to vote I say Good, if they want to vote outside of election day I say even better walk down to your returning office like the rest of us and do it.

There are plenty of groups in Canada who do not vote in High numbers but I have never seen a special polling place set up for them.

[cybercoma]

That's great punked. Just because you haven't seen them that doesn't mean they don't exist.

There were polls at universities last year. How do I know this? Because I saw it.

They set up polls in hospitals. How do I know that? Because I saw it.

They also set up polls in old age homes. Saw that too.

They also set up special polls for military personnel. I'll admit. I didn't actually see one of those polls, but I personally know a few people that voted at it.

And if there was any doubt about your credibility, comparing a polling station at a university to the rampant systemic discrimination that occurred in the South just shattered it. If one were to stick with your completely ridiculous comparison, this would be like the electoral officers setting up polling station in the segregated ghettos. I'm sure, just like you're complaining now about it, the racists in the South would have thought that was unfair too.

[CANADIEN]

There will a poll in that University on May 2 like every year. However on that day it is possible for everyone in the public to go out and vote. Providing unequal access to a poll for a group of people is wrong.

Excuse me? :angry: :angry: :angry:

As much as I believe that special polls at universities are not needed, your comparison of those polls to the outright denial of the right to vote that took place in the Southern USA before the mid-1960's is quite frankly outrageous. If that's the best you have to offer, keep it.

Edited April 18, 2011 by CANADIEN

[punked]

That's great punked. Just because you haven't seen them that doesn't mean they don't exist.

There were polls at universities last year. How do I know this? Because I saw it.

They set up polls in hospitals. How do I know that? Because I saw it.

They also set up polls in old age homes. Saw that too.

They also set up special polls for military personnel. I'll admit. I didn't actually see one of those polls, but I personally know a few people that voted at it.

And if there was any doubt about your credibility, comparing a polling station at a university to the rampant systemic discrimination that occurred in the South just shattered it. If one were to stick with your completely ridiculous comparison, this would be like the electoral officers setting up polling station in the segregated ghettos. I'm sure, just like you're complaining now about it, the racists in the South would have thought that was unfair too.

I just don't think treating a select group of able bodied voters differently is right. These people aren't serving the country, they don't have accessibility issues they don't go to vote because the voting both isn't 5 feet away from them? If they want to vote they can do it there is nothing stopping them. Equal access is a real issue and I stand by that.

[cybercoma]

You're right. Equal access is a real issue, so I stand by doing whatever it takes to get under-represented voters represented.

[Molly]

Excuse me? :angry: :angry: :angry:

As much as I believe that special polls at universities are not needed, your comparison of those polls to the outright denial of the right to vote that took place in the Southern USA before the mid-1960's is quite frankly outrageous. If that's the best you have to offer, keep it.

I believe they are a very good idea. Joe Average has a four hour break, personal transportation, a quick and simple process and a poll just 'round the corner, for his convenience, but students generally have whatever time they can grab, access to public transportation only, a complex and time-consuming process to prove their place of residence that is accomplished by mail, or in person across town ... or two towns over, at the EC office...

Not so easy.

Stumbled across this from 2008. It's denlightening.:

http://www.mapleleafweb.com/blog/melanee-thomas/special-ballot-why-young-people-dont-vote

[punked]

You're right. Equal access is a real issue, so I stand by doing whatever it takes to get under-represented voters represented.

By that logic if 1/5th of Canada was under 25 2/5ths 25-65 and 2/5th over 65 as long as 5 people voted you would be happy. That isn't a good argument. Again you are either for equal treatment (me) or unequal treatment (you) unless you think special polls should be set up where ever one is requested.

There is a reason Elections Canada ruled they wouldn't set up special polls at Universities anymore.

[Scotty]

You're right. Equal access is a real issue, so I stand by doing whatever it takes to get under-represented voters represented.

If they're not represented because they're too lazy to go to the polls that's tough for them. I have no interest whatever in going out of our way to help lazy, stupid, thoughtless people have a greater say in how the money in this country is spent, especially given few of them pay any taxes.

[punked]

Excuse me? :angry: :angry: :angry:

As much as I believe that special polls at universities are not needed, your comparison of those polls to the outright denial of the right to vote that took place in the Southern USA before the mid-1960's is quite frankly outrageous. If that's the best you have to offer, keep it.

THE WHOLE FIGHT IN THE SOUTH WAS ABOUT EQUAL ACCESS TO THE VOTE! If you don't think for a second in the south in the 60s they thought a Special poll in a white area would up their vote count over an African America one they wouldn't do it you are crazy. They did this stuff all the time.

"Hey here is an idea lets put the polling the place in the Black area of town right next to a landfill that will keep them away."

Not to mention in the US resources have long been used as a way to suppress the minority vote. The idea is you put more resources into the places you want to increase the vote and less in places where you don't. This is what is happening here with the youth vote. That is not Equal access.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A64737-2004Dec14.html

Edited April 18, 2011 by punked

[Shady]

You're right. Equal access is a real issue, so I stand by doing whatever it takes to get under-represented voters represented.

They're under-represented because they choose to be.

[punked]

They're under-represented because they choose to be.

While I know we disagree on Equal access issues I think we can both agree cybercoma doesn't know what it means. To him it means spending 100 dollars for every vote under 25 and spending 5 cents on every vote over 25.

[scribblet]

They're under-represented because they choose to be.

Now there's a fact LOL

Students can vote like anyone else, by mail, by proxy, advance polls and at the R.O. unlike people in nursing home for instance who can't. Nursing homes can be provided with a mobile poll on voting day. (they can't mob vote either LOL )

Even though we can't reverse EC's decision,but considering the whole thing, there should be an audit to make sure all procedures were followed correctly and there is no chance the students could get a second vote.

[Molly]

Proxy, eh?

Right.

[Battletoads]

That's great punked. Just because you haven't seen them that doesn't mean they don't exist.

There were polls at universities last year. How do I know this? Because I saw it.

They set up polls in hospitals. How do I know that? Because I saw it.

They also set up polls in old age homes. Saw that too.

They also set up special polls for military personnel. I'll admit. I didn't actually see one of those polls, but I personally know a few people that voted at it.

And if there was any doubt about your credibility, comparing a polling station at a university to the rampant systemic discrimination that occurred in the South just shattered it. If one were to stick with your completely ridiculous comparison, this would be like the electoral officers setting up polling station in the segregated ghettos. I'm sure, just like you're complaining now about it, the racists in the South would have thought that was unfair too.

One does have to wonder what the Cons have against setting up polling stations in a public place that tens of thousands of people pass through on a daily basis. Seems like a prime place to have a poll setup as a matter of fact.

[punked]

One does have to wonder what the Cons have against setting up polling stations in a public place that tens of thousands of people pass through on a daily basis. Seems like a prime place to have a poll setup as a matter of fact.

That isn't the problem. The problem is students are given special access and special rights for no reason what so ever. If you are spending more on getting students to vote you must spending less on getting another group to vote. Unless you think Elections Canada has limitlessness money.

[Battletoads]

That isn't the problem. The problem is students are given special access and special rights for no reason what so ever. If you are spending more on getting students to vote you must spending less on getting another group to vote. Unless you think Elections Canada has limitlessness money.

Special rights?

Man you Cons are laughable .

Anyone in Canada can vote and, if the choose to, vote early.

I'm sure if this poll was setup at some hill billy gun shop in Alberta you'd be calling it a symbol of democracy.

Edited April 19, 2011 by Battletoads

[Smallc]

Man you Cons are laughable .

If there's anything that punked isn't, it's a Conservative.

[punked]

Special rights?

Man you Cons are laughable .

Anyone in Canada can vote and, if the choose to, vote early.

I'm sure if this poll was setup at some hill billy gun shop in Alberta you'd be calling it a symbol of democracy.

That is my point! That is what this type of behavior leaves Canada open to. If you are going to provide equal access to all groups of people you must set up special polls wherever they are requested. Otherwise you are treating one group differently from another.

[punked]

If there's anything that punked isn't, it's a Conservative.

Thank god for that.

[cybercoma]

I still really don't see how this is unequal access.