question on voting?

[Topaz]

I'm not a 100% sure on this question but, if a person owns property in more than one riding, can that person vote in each of the ridings they own property?

[fellowtraveller]

No, and what does owning property have to do with the right to vote?

Round here, where you vote depends on where you reside, and that can only be one place at a time.

Having two cars does not get you two drivers licenses

[Guest American Woman]

I'm not a 100% sure on this question but, if a person owns property in more than one riding, can that person vote in each of the ridings they own property?

I'm sure, as in the States, the person can only vote in the riding where their principle residence is located.

[jacee]

I'm not a 100% sure on this question but, if a person owns property in more than one riding, can that person vote in each of the ridings they own property?

You can vote in MUNICIPAL elections only, where you have residences.

[Guest American Woman]

You can vote in MUNICIPAL elections only, where you have residences.

That seems to vary according to Provincial election laws.

[Topaz]

So let's say for debate, if a person voted in their principle area but also their name was in another riding outside of the principle riding, they still could vote twice if their name was on the voting list of the second riding area? Riding don't check for dual voters, right?

[na85]

Not sure about municipal elections, but federally and provincially it's one person, one vote.

[Topaz]

Not sure about municipal elections, but federally and provincially it's one person, one vote.

I know is SUPPOSE to be but is it really. There no way a person in an election can have their name on different ridings voter list? Is it checked to make sure? anyone know?

[Bryan]

I know is SUPPOSE to be but is it really. There no way a person in an election can have their name on different ridings voter list? Is it checked to make sure? anyone know?

It's not allowed, but it does happen. I know several people who frequently end up with multiple voter cards. They don't, but if they wanted to, they probably could vote in both places without anyone noticing--at least not at the time.

I also met someone who claimed that he and a group of 'rock the vote' type activists deliberately voted multiple times in one federal election just to prove that they could. What he said they did was to show up at random polls and see if they could get sworn in with just a story and no ID.

[Wild Bill]

I know is SUPPOSE to be but is it really. There no way a person in an election can have their name on different ridings voter list? Is it checked to make sure? anyone know?

You've been hearing the OFFICIAL line but this time Topaz I think you are seeing the real world correctly.

No one checks!

I was a scrutineer with several elections and did some digging behind the scenes for info about some of my suspicions. The main one was with those nice ladies that come to your door and ask "How many people of voting age live here? Are they all citizens?"

I asked one of them if anyone ever checked if someone were to lie about being a citizen. She instantly started to give me the standard spiel about severe penalties for fraudulent action under the Election Act but I politely interrupted her to ask "I know its illegal but does anyone ever, ever actually check? Is there anything in the real world to deter someone who is NOT a citizen from simply lying and getting on the Voters' List?"

She just clammed up and would say no more!

It's pretty obvious that no one ever checks. It's also a lead pipe cinch that it is common practice in some ridings. I suppose the 'system' would act upon a complaint but that is almost never likely to happen. Virtually always a non-citizen will be an visible minority immigrant, likely with an accent. If anyone made a complaint the immediate cry would be "Racism!" No one would want to run that gauntlet.

Besides, if things were investigated I'm sure that examples would be found to embarrass ALL the parties!

So everyone just looks the other way. The Emperor has no clothes!

[William Ashley]

I'm not a 100% sure on this question but, if a person owns property in more than one riding, can that person vote in each of the ridings they own property?

In the olden days yes it did, but people could vote in any riding they could get to. Some would start the day early and head out by sleigh to the neighbouring communities to reach all the local ones by nightfall.

For municipal elections it remains true.

There is a gray fuzzy area but the bottom line is that for provincial elections you need to be A RESIDENT,

For federal elections you are suppose to vote in your principal residence -- indiivuduals may stilll vote in any riding of their choice -and they are constituent in the riding they choose as their residence.

Normal people are very settled though, and society is increasingly totalitarian against mobile individuals and transients.

The bottom line is you have 1 vote and you cast it where you are resident - or where you opt as having the strongest vested interest in terms of residence.

You have 1 vote in each municpality (as a member of a corporation, if you are a stake holder), 1 vote in each province (if you are resident) , and one vote in canada

This however is problematic for byelections

you may also be able to vote in uk elections (as many canadians are commonwealth citizens especially if they are born before 1982 in canada)

Edited December 8, 2011 by William Ashley

[August1991]

That seems to vary according to Provincial election laws.

I think AW has this right.

Depending on province, if you own property in a municipality, then you have the right to vote for local officials. For example, if you own a house and a cottage, then you will be registered to vote (depending on province) in both municipalities.

To my knowledge, no province allows anyone to vote twice in provincial elections, and you can only vote once (legally) in a federal election - in the federal riding of your principle residence, or where you once lived if you are abroad.

But as I have argued here, if you want to influence public affairs, you would be better to complete the census form with your personal views rather than an election ballot. For some reason, people find my logic hard to understand.

Edited December 9, 2011 by August1991

[WWWTT]

I think it may be accurate to say that if you pay taxes to a government body,you are entitled to a single vote in that bodies election for representation.

The exemption may be that the provinces may require residence of one year.

Does this sound close?

WWWTT

[August1991]

I think it may be accurate to say that if you pay taxes to a government body,you are entitled to a single vote in that bodies election for representation.

Many people pay no taxes at all. In fact, they receive a net benefit from the government. WWWTT, would you disallow such people from voting?

(Then again, what stops such people from voting in favour of every government spending scheme. After all, it's not their money. They don't pay any taxes.)

But here's a more intriguing idea: let's only give census forms to people who pay taxes.

Edited December 9, 2011 by August1991