Seniors’ advocate calls decision not to print voter cards for N.S. election short-sighted
A group advocating for seniors in Nova Scotia is expressing concerns over the decision made by the province’s elections agency to not mail out voter information cards for the current campaign. CARP, the Canadian Association of Retired Persons, believes that this move is short-sighted and could potentially exclude a significant demographic from the voting process.
According to CARP, many seniors do not regularly use the internet and rely on the postal service for important voting information. Spokesperson Bill VanGorder emphasized that older voters are at a unique disadvantage due to Elections Nova Scotia’s decision not to send out voter information cards in the mail.
The provincial elections agency cited a potential strike by Canada Post workers as the reason for not mailing out the voter information cards. The Canadian Union of Postal Workers has announced that its members have voted in favor of strike action if negotiations do not progress. While no strike action has been initiated yet, the agency decided to take precautionary measures.
Nova Scotia Liberal Party Leader Zach Churchill criticized the agency’s decision, stating that it will make voting challenging for seniors and individuals with limited or no internet access. Churchill expressed concerns about the negative impact this move could have on voter engagement and the democratic process.
On the other hand, Tara Miller, campaign co-chair for the Progressive Conservative Party of Nova Scotia, defended Elections Nova Scotia’s decision and urged political parties not to interfere with the agency’s operations. She emphasized that all parties have the same tools available to encourage voter turnout, even without the voter information cards.
Despite the challenges posed by the lack of mailed voter information cards, Nova Scotia NDP Leader Claudia Chender reassured that party candidates would continue to engage with voters through door-to-door campaigning. Green Party Leader Anthony Edmonds expressed concerns about potential low voter turnout in the upcoming election, attributing it to election fatigue.
Elections Nova Scotia spokesperson Naomi Shelton acknowledged the difficulty of the decision not to send out voter information cards but highlighted alternative ways for voters to access polling information, such as the agency’s website and a dedicated phone line. The agency is also planning an awareness campaign to inform underserved voters about how to vote on election day.
While CARP appreciates the efforts of Elections Nova Scotia to reach out to seniors, VanGorder emphasized the importance of regular and strong advertising across various media channels to ensure that seniors receive the necessary information. He also urged the agency to collaborate with major organizations serving seniors to disseminate voting information effectively.
In conclusion, the decision not to mail out voter information cards has raised concerns among seniors and advocacy groups in Nova Scotia. While efforts are being made to mitigate the impact of this decision, there is a need for comprehensive outreach strategies to ensure that all eligible voters, especially seniors, are informed and able to participate in the upcoming election.
