With all the shadiness, corruption, and fraud surrounding the last few elections (so bad that we’re getting an international observer this time around), I wasn’t taking a chance with not being able to vote in this one. So I took advantage of advancing voting this time around and headed to town today to cast my ballot…
Polls opened at noon, so I got in quite early to get propane first since I was turned away the last two times. The manager was there and was quite upset when I told her this, saying that her staff had been advised to call her if anyone needed propane. Someone is going to get a talking to!
I then went out in search of the polling station. It was buried deep in town with absolutely no signage except right on the door. It was only 11:15 and there was no one in sight, so I went for an early lunch. By the time I got back to the polling station, it was bang on noon. One of the returning officers works for the Willow Bunch Museum and knows me very well, so she had me witness the putting together of the ballot box. Then, I got in line to vote. There was only one person ahead of me and one person behind me.
Then, the fun began. Despite all the time I spent on the phone with Elections Canada and their confirmation, both verbally and on the website, that I’m registered to vote, I was not on the list today! I was registered on the spot and, just to make doubly sure that there wouldn’t be any issues, the lady who knows me also signed an oath to that effect and that there is no doubt that I was voting at the correct poll. I was then able to vote. All told, the process took a measly 10 minutes. I don’t know what it would have been like if there wasn’t someone there to vouch for me. And I can’t believe there was someone who could vouch for me!
The outcome of this election won’t change my plans to move to Mexico next year, but could very well be the deciding factor in whether I keep ties here (ie. Haven) or decided to tell this country to go fornicate with itself and put Haven on the market. I’m that fed up with the ever increasing gap between my values and that of the the average Canadian voter. If Canada and I were in divorce proceedings, which I suppose we are in a way, I’d cite irreconcilable differences.
The drive home was wonderful. I spotted a coyote in broad daylight who was not afraid of me. I took many pictures of him from several angles because he was blocking the road and I didn’t feel comfortable moving past him.
Then, a short way up the road, I had to brake hard to let someone else cross the road. By the time I managed to get my camera up on my phone, this is all I could capture of him:
(That’s an antelope (pronghorn), by the way!)
Today coincided with some of the most amazing weather we’ve had since I got home in May, very HOT and sunny. Wow! It’s downhill from here, though. No worries, I will be somewhere in Colorado this time in two weeks!
And here I was wondering if life in Canada was better! Guess not, politicians are politicians are politicians.
Sunny & warm here to day too, supposed to be almost 90 degrees tomorrow. But, like you say, it’s all downhill from there.
We are over taxed, our healthcare system is broken, our government and national police are corrupt, and our people are apathetic. I can’t wait to get out of here.
This sounds like the Good Ol’ US of A. Canada has been taking lessons!
Glad the voting process went well even if the results don’t promise well. I hope it doesn’t come to divorce, though. You’ve taught me to love Haven in spite of the hassles surrounding it.
Haven is turning out to be exactly what it was meant to be — a place to retire to, not a place to live out my life. And that’s okay.
Glad you got to vote. I had to wait 40 minutes but the deed is done. Two people came to register but did not have the paperwork they needed. Hopefully they will go back. Also saw a very young looking first time voter 🙂
I can’t figure out how someone cannot have the paperwork they need. Do your research, people!
So glad there was a first time voter! My first time voting was June of ’97, just two and a half months after my 18th birthday! I voted Liberal, for Chrétien! Can’t believe I remember that!
(I once stood in line ahead of Chrétien at the grocery store. He was dressed like a lumberjack. But I digress. Oh, and I once literally ran into Brian Mulroney.)
Glad you got out to vote and I hope more did. But, you didn’t tell us about your lunch? Always good to hear that. 🙂
I really hope my candidate gets in…
Lunch wasn’t anything special (but delicious!), so not really worth mentioning in the post — a garden salad with ranch dressing on the side and a hamburger steak with sautéd onions over a slice of garlic toast with gravy over top. The beef at this restaurant is really good and the peppery gravy is what makes this so special. I could practically drink it straight. 😀 I also had about a gallon of coffee!