Home | WebMail | Register or Login

      Calgary | Regions | Local Traffic Report | Advertise on Action News | Contact

Politics

Incorrect voter information cards sent out to hundreds of Canadians

CBC News has learned that hundreds, perhaps thousands, of people may have difficulty casting a ballot in this election after receiving incorrect voter information cards.

Some cards advise people to travel hundreds of kilometres from their home to vote

Hundreds of voter information cards will have to be reissued after some of the cards advised people to travel hundreds of kilometres from their home on election day or in advance polls. (Philippe Morin/CBC)

CBC News has learned thathundreds, perhaps thousands, of people may have difficulty casting a ballot in this election after receiving incorrect voter information cards.

Elections Canada says there's a problem in various parts of the country.

Voters in Yukon, B.C., and Saskatchewan say mistakes were made about polling station locations by the body that runs elections in this country. Elections Canada says more than 300people in Yukon will be receiving new cards.

Some voters in Yukon who live in Watson Lake were give voter information cards which directed them to a polling station in Haines Junction, which is almost 600 kilometres away. (Google)

Some of the cards advised peopleto travel hundreds of kilometres from their home to vote on election day or in advance polls.

Elections Canada says it's investigating.Officials say they plan to reissue hundreds of voter information cardsbut they admit time is running out.

Diane Benson,a spokeswomanatElections Canada, said reaching every elector is a complex process, and mistakes can happen. She said they rely on electors to reach out if they think there is a problem.

"If you get that voter info card,you're registered, but you think that that address doesn't seem right or the voting location doesn't seem right, we certainly want to hear from you and we encourage you to contact the returning office," she said.

Benson added that they are working to send out corrected voter information cards, whichneed to be mailed byOct. 13in order to get there by voting day.

Benson said voters can also check where their polling station is online.

Voter information cards are not required in order to cast a ballot, but contain information about the polling station's location.