Comments on: Canada’s Election System Doesn’t Get Social Media

By: Robert Sanzalone

Robert Sanzalone — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 11:55:16 +0000

It’s not a matter of not “getting” it. Social media is understood. It’s just less easily controlled. This was inavitable. People for YEARS have been able to send messages or phone people on the Wet Coast to tell them how the voting went. It’s just illegal to BROADCAST it. Social media tweeting is a grey area of “broadcasting” since it is to a select group of followers. If I had a house party election night, and someone called me from the East before the polls were closed to tell me what just went on, and I screamed it to my friends in the house, should I be carted off to jail or fined? Interesting question.

By: Mark Dykeman

Mark Dykeman — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 22:22:46 +0000

Saw a similar post on this very topic today. It’s quite a challenge and almost impossible to police or prevent.

By: buzzbishop

buzzbishop — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 21:26:34 +0000

I retweeted some early returns in the May/McKay battle and IMMEDIATELY had an NDP freak from Ontario on my ass. She was calling me out for breaking the law, saying I was trying to frighten voters from voting NDP in BC.

Insane. I get the spirit of the law, and think its good – in theory.

The change of ballot closings to be within 30mins from eastern to western Canada was good, but when you have 5 time zones across the country, it can be hard to synchronize it all.

The only solution is a uniform poll closing time, or to get them as close as possible, and remove all publication bans realizing that people are not likely to be consuming MSM 45mins before a poll closes, they’re likely in line with other last minute shoppers.

If polls are 6a-6p in BC, and 10a-10p in Maritimes, then you could get it done.