(March 16, 2021) – Lela Evans, PC Candidate for Torngat Mountains, says Elections NL officials have ignored her concerns that voting deadline format changes are further silencing Indigenous voices in Torngat Mountains.

Evans says ballots mailed before the original March 12 deadline are at risk of going uncounted.

Elections NL moved to a new deadline format without any consultation about the unique logistical issues in Torngat Mountains and throughout Labrador, putting many valid ballots in jeopardy.

Evans and Shannon Tobin, PC Candidate for Lake Melville jointly wrote Elections NL letter immediately after hearing of the change. The letter requested the postmark format deadline remain in place. Elections NL has yet to respond to the letter.

“Postmarking is a fairer process for voters in Labrador,” said Evans. “It would return control to our residents to ensure their votes are counted and their voice is heard,” said Evans.

Evans says keeping the postmarked date process for ballots coming from Labrador will ensure every vote is counted.

“I am concerned that many voters will become so disillusioned that they were giving up on voting," said Evans "We trusted Elections NL to be fair and make corrections quickly."

Evans says Elections NL should honour Labrador ballots postmarked by March 25, and accommodations should be made to account for the unique conditions of the region. Evans wants a commitment that ballots mailed by the original deadline be honoured if that is not possible.

“Our right to vote and our spirit to vote are continuously being eroded by the chaos in this election,” said Evans. “Honour our ballots, honour our voices is all I ask,” said Evans.
 

Contacts:

David Maher

Director of Communications

(p) (709) 769-2216

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