Well, I'm off to church in a few minutes. I'm really trying to get in the habit. I went maybe a dozen times in 2005 - let's see if I can do better this year. I have a lot to be thankful for - I have been blessed in the past several months.

After church, I have a scrutineer's meeting. I will be taught the basics of checking the voter list, and counting and approving/junking ballots. This sounds like a rather important responsibility, even if it is fairly easy to do. A lot like church.

The thought of scrutineering made me think of Lost Budgie's post regarding official ballots being used as teaching aids in classrooms. How easy is it to get hold of these things in advance, and what does that mean for the validity of votes?

Judi McLeod at Canada Free Press reports on multiple incidents of Election Canada Official Ballots being used in classrooms for mock student elections. The obvious questions concern their origins, and how the Canadian people are supposed to know that none will be used to commit election fraud.

I realize that the subject is topical, and now is a great time to teach students about elections and voting (I myself remember drafting fake Charters in class back in the day), but wouldn't it be better to use mock ballots? If these ballots accidentally fall into the hands of counters after Monday's election, will they actually be counted as being votes for one party or another?

Voice your concern at Elections Canada during business hours: 1 800 463-6868 or by emailing the Commissioner's Office
Elections Canada's website does have a section to order materials for schools, but the ordering process is closed during an election period. Makes sense to me.