Ken, I also think this is a good solution, but there will be some serious issues. Having scrutineered a number of times, including in a recount, some of the write-ins end up being lulus! Elections Canada will have set clear rules as to what is an acceptable approximation of a candidate’s name. Is PP close enough? If so, what if more than one candidate has the same initials? What if someone simply writes in “Bonnie”, or “the guy who lost in Ottawa”? It will be difficult to draw appropriate lines, and the initial count will be a real slog! So many people show up who neither know the name of their preferred candidate nor the party. (Not sure exactly how they cast a ballot; that’s a different issue.) What if someone simply writes “Conservative”, or, as I have seen “Progressive Conservative” when no such party exists? It’s the right decision, but there are many steps to be taken between here and there!
Came here to say the same thing. Even telling people to mark a single 'x' inside the circle beside your choice ends up with disuputes. Trying to decipher a) handwriting b) what constutes a vote for whom (who? I'm befuddled now) as you outlined above, ... yeah, no. Also having worked many elections, I would really not want to work that one. Kudos to those who have agreed run those polls/stations. It's going to be an experience.
Ken, I also think this is a good solution, but there will be some serious issues. Having scrutineered a number of times, including in a recount, some of the write-ins end up being lulus! Elections Canada will have set clear rules as to what is an acceptable approximation of a candidate’s name. Is PP close enough? If so, what if more than one candidate has the same initials? What if someone simply writes in “Bonnie”, or “the guy who lost in Ottawa”? It will be difficult to draw appropriate lines, and the initial count will be a real slog! So many people show up who neither know the name of their preferred candidate nor the party. (Not sure exactly how they cast a ballot; that’s a different issue.) What if someone simply writes “Conservative”, or, as I have seen “Progressive Conservative” when no such party exists? It’s the right decision, but there are many steps to be taken between here and there!
Reported yesterday that just the word liberal party or authoritarian party won’t cut it. It has to be reasonable and clear who they are voting for.
Came here to say the same thing. Even telling people to mark a single 'x' inside the circle beside your choice ends up with disuputes. Trying to decipher a) handwriting b) what constutes a vote for whom (who? I'm befuddled now) as you outlined above, ... yeah, no. Also having worked many elections, I would really not want to work that one. Kudos to those who have agreed run those polls/stations. It's going to be an experience.