Voting in Canadian Federal Election from US

[TwoChickies 105]

I was wondering if anyone had any insight into voting from abroad in the coming election. I (a Canadian citizen) immigrated to the US with a CR-1 visa in May of this year and was under the impression that I could vote by mail with a special/international ballot while residing outside of Canada. However, upon looking into registering for said ballot, I read that just last week two Ontario courts upheld rulings that deny Canadians living abroad for 5 years or more the right to vote. This is concerning and confusing as when I filled out the questionnaire on elections.ca, they informed me that I was "not eligible to be in the International Register and vote by special ballot" due to my answering "No" to the question "Do you intend to return to live in Canada?" despite my not having lived outside of the country for 5 years or more. Does anyone else have any experience with voting in a Canadian while abroad?

Here are some articles on the voting ban for those interested (not promising they are all unbiased):

CBC

Huffpost

Rabble

Any insight on any of this situation would be much appreciated.

Also please note: I am not asking if you believe I should or shouldn't have the right to vote, only if you have any further information on the situation.

Thanks.

- Mr. Chickie (Canadian husband)

[Ontarkie 13,884]

I just signed the petition that is going around.

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/expat-canadians-deserve-the-right-to-vote-in

[TwoChickies 105]

Thank you, Ontarkie! I appreciate the link. Signed.

[Transborderwife 4,666]

I'll be honest, I do not understand voting in absentia however believe in the right to do so.

[Udella&Wiz 325]

It wasn't until last year that the ability to vote while an expat was granted and now it has been repealed from my understanding. Unless that changes, none of us will be voting in October.

I applied for and received my voter's registration (can't exactly remember but late 2014/early 2015) but unless something changes, I guess it will be a moment only.

[NikLR 13,220]

I'm not sure why we'd vote for a country we don't live in?

[TwoChickies 105]

Also please note: I am not asking if you believe I should or shouldn't have the right to vote, only if you have any further information on the situation.

Thanks.

[Transborderwife 4,666]

I'm not sure why we'd vote for a country we don't live in?

That's my opinion as well. However I don't think that the right should be taken away.

[NikLR 13,220]

That's my opinion as well. However I don't think that the right should be taken away.

I agree. I wasn't stating anything about the "right" to be able to; merely asking why you'd want to.

[Lemonslice 4,544]

I'm not sure why we'd vote for a country we don't live in?

For me, it is because I am Canadian. I still pay plenty/most of my taxes in Canada, own property and live there part time. If I felt my move to the U.S. was permanent and/or I didn't pay taxes and had so many ties, my views might be different.

A bit like this: I am Canadian

[NikLR 13,220]

Okay that makes sense for you. I do hope you get the right to vote.

[Lemonslice 4,544]

I would certainly be against forcing people to continue to vote or get fined, lose their right to get a passport or consular services.

[Kimbear 53]

So I just received a letter from elections Canada saying I am no longer able to vote..####### didn't I just fill out something last year to make it so I COULD vote?? What the hell..i do intend to go back when Caihla is older and if she wants to move there on her own I want to be able to have imput in my home country.. This is just stupid.

[Udella&Wiz 325]

Yepper - got my letter yesterday as well - no more voting for us unless you plan to return to Canada AND have not been a non resident for more then 5 yrs (bummer - I've been gone almost 8 )

At least if we're US citizens we can always vote for the rest of our lives wherever we live....lots of countries allow it.

Just not Canada...or should we say Mr Harper???????

So I just received a letter from elections Canada saying I am no longer able to vote..####### didn't I just fill out something last year to make it so I COULD vote?? What the hell..i do intend to go back when Caihla is older and if she wants to move there on her own I want to be able to have imput in my home country.. This is just stupid.

[oncefuturealien 45]

Definitely blame Harper for this one.