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Voting process overly complex

To The Editor:

Yesterday I went to fulfill my democratic right by voting at the advanced poll.

The first worker took my voter's card and asked me to verify that the information was correct.

He then put it in a box for shredding.

Next I was told that it would be 25 to 30 minutes wait. There were seven people ahead of me.

As I waited I noticed the poll worker pulling the proper voters list for that poll. She then found their name and drew a line through it and initialed it.

Next she took a "write-in" list and proceeded to print the person's name and address on it -- the exact same information that was on the enumerated list.

Why change the system from past elections? You went in, presented your voter's card and ID and got your ballot, your name was entered on the "write-in" list and you signed it. Why this extra unnecessary step?

When it was my turn I produced my drivers licence as ID and I was asked "what is your name". My reply of course was, "it's on the ID."

I was then told I had "to say your name". I found this to be ludicrous.

Also it begs the question -- what happens if the voter should be hearing or speech impaired? I believe this would be against the Human Rights Act to ask a person to do something they are unable to preform.

If I was not a person who believes we should all vote, then this process could easily turn voters away. Why should I wait 30 minutes to go through a double-process of name verification and writing? Then I'm told I have to say my name besides showing ID. I would have liked to call Elections Canada and complain -- but their contact information is on the card put in the shredder box.

I am not faulting the workers in the polling station. After all they are following the rules set by the Returning Office/Elections Canada. But it does beg the question -- are we encouraging or discouraging voters by this process?

Dee Dee Daigle,

Moncton