Elections Canada is trying to ease registration for young voters and is pushing for more civic education in elementary classrooms, according to the federal elections watchdog. But online voting is still out of the question. Marc Mayrand, Canada’s chief electoral officer, delivered the remarks in an online discussion with Globe and Mail readers Thursday night. “Online voting would certainly make voting more convenient for everyone, including young voters,” Mr. Mayrand wrote. “That being said, there are still issues surrounding the integrity, verifiability and secrecy of the vote.” As for the robocalls affair – alleged misleading automated calls during the 2011 federal election – Mr. Mayrand said the investigation continues but he couldn’t give a timeline.
Mr. Mayrand did say he plans to report to Parliament on the “improper use of telecommunications” during last year’s election. According to a recent Canadian Press report, that will include possible regulation of parties’ voter databases and the use of automated phone messages. “In the context of that report I will raise issues regarding the data collected on electors, how this information is kept and what assurances are given regarding the privacy of electors,” Mr. Mayrand wrote in the discussion.
Full Article: Elections Canada wants more people to cast ballots, but online voting is still out – The Globe and Mail.