Voting in Vancouver

It’s the first of three times I’ll be hitting the polls this fall and even though I didn’t receive my voter card, I called to make sure a) I’m registered b) I know where I need to go.

In case you’re looking to find out where to go, what you need to bring to vote etc. here’s some information that might help since the Elections Canada website has been getting a little overloaded.

Although there is an embargo on results coverage in the media out West (since polls will be closing in the East before we’re done over here) I assume the internet – blogs, Twitter – will host discussions tonight. Watching Global News this morning they’ve also been advertising a live blog this evening on their site, which I’ve noticed will be conducted using Cover It Live, liveblogging tool starting at 5:30pm PT.

At any rate, check the elections Canada website to make sure where you need to be and most importantly, get out there and exercise your democratic right to have a voice in shaping your country.

Update: I have now cast my vote. Since I didn’t receive my voter card I had to go to the “Voter Registration” table and show them my license (which is sufficient for ID since it has your name, photo, address). They will then assign you a station where you can go get your ballot and vote – not as scary a process as some may think although make sure you call or check the website if you have any questions or unusual circumstances.

Update: If you’re looking for results the CBC has an interactive map that is being updated every few seconds.

The CBC is also going to Twitter spikes in discussions (#canadavotes) by the hour although some of the tweets noted were longer than 130 characters hmmm. If you want to get your thoughts on Harper, Dion or others on the CBC’s live “Twitter” coverage, use hashtag #ormistonvote.

Update: The top topics on Twitter right now 1) #Canadavotes 2) #gno 3) #ormistonvote 4) #Obama 5)#redsox. You can follow along (without an account) on Summize or follow me @miss604.

Update: Quick stats – we could have 70 women elected to seats in the house, the highest number in history. On the flip side – possibly the lowest voter turnout, missing 10 million Canadians at the polls. Do you think we’ve been too busy telling Americans to vote in their election, that we forgot about our own?

Stephane Dion isn’t too happy with CTV (apparently they aired outtakes of an interview with him that didn’t make him look very good) but it’s been a pretty long night, and a tough one for him.

The map of Canada is becoming increasingly blue (which stands for the Conservative Party) and although they still have a minority government, most people I’m talking to on Twitter are not too happy about a) the outcome b) the entire election itself (thinking it was a waste of time at this point).