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Letter: Too many barriers in the way of voting

Dear Editor, I voted (Monday), but it wasn’t easy, and it was almost in spite of Elections Canada. I am a senior and disabled, being full-time in a wheel chair.
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It's down to the finish line for candidates vying for your vote in New Westminster-Burnaby for the Oct. 21 federal election.

Dear Editor,

I voted (Monday), but it wasn’t easy, and it was almost in spite of Elections Canada.

I am a senior and disabled, being full-time in a wheel chair. 

I received my voter information card, which gave me only two options: Advanced voting, four kilometres away, or election day voting, three kilometres away.

Initially, I was surprised to see that there were no voting options in my neighbourhood, but then heard that there was a voting location at the Seniors’ Centre, only 0.9 km away. I confirmed that by telephone. 

I assumed that that had been set up as a convenience to seniors (if not, why was my designated station three kilometres away!). 

But that seems to be wrong. It appeared to be a regular voting station. Given my mobility challenges, that seemed to be a much better option.

I was seriously ticked off when I arrived at the Seniors’ Centre and the Elections Canada staff refused to allow me to vote.

They said that I had to go to the voting location another two kilometres away. Fortunately, I had a ride in a wheelchair accessible van so I could get there, but others were undoubtedly not so fortunate.

Elections Canada and the politicians say that they want us to vote. 

But I have always held that you do not measure one’s intent by what one says but by what one actually does.

In this case, they clearly did not want seniors or the disabled to be able to easily vote.

So sad and aggravating.

Ian MacLeod

RICHMOND