Editor:
As we come up to this year’s municipal elections, I would like to whole-heartedly endorse editor Ian Jacques’ call for absentee election options for the Sunshine Coast Regional District in his editorial Oct. 30.
I have lived on Gambier for 21 years, and have voted in every local election. This was possible by a half-day poll on-island. However, as a full-timer, I am privileged. Although my part-time neighbours can vote too, unless they make the long November trek to Gambier or the even longer one to Cardinall Hall in Area F, they can’t take part in SCRD elections.
For non-resident Gambier property-owners, the poll locations are very challenging. Voters not here through winter must take a Langdale ferry, then a Gambier one, walk up the hill to the hall, vote, go back, catch the boat off Gambier, and finally catch the Langdale ferry again. And remember, the island poll is only open until noon!
Or they can catch a ferry to Langdale, bus part way and then walk over to Cardinall Hall and back, assuming they even know the local geography.
Ironically, during elections that include Islands Trust candidates as well, the SCRD runs a remote poll in West Van on behalf of the Trust. But SCRD staff have stated that they will not run a poll there for Area F at the same time. Why not?
More than five years ago, I asked the SCRD why we couldn’t have absentee voting for islanders, plus other SCRD non-residents. I did not get a satisfactory answer then, and nothing has changed. Time for the SCRD to open up voting for all its taxpayers, not just those here in November.
Kathy McTaggart, West Bay, Gambier Island
