Nomination Process

 Over the past few days I have ben trying to contact people in the district who are willing to sign my nomination to run in the upcoming election. I was given a "Master List", supposedly containing the names of NDP supporters gathered in previous election campaigns, together with their phone numbers and addresses. I had thought that the process would be straightforward; a call to identify myself, to request for help, and to set a convenient time to meet. Not so simple.

In the last Provincial election in 2019, the NDP could not find a candidate to run, but there was both a federal and a provincial campaign in 2015. Sadly, nearly 30% of the phone numbers were no longer valid. I left messages for a dozen or so electors to call me back. So far, none has.

For many of the other people I reached, my identification as the NDP candidate was enough to end the call abruptly. Some of the others were reluctant to discuss the matter, indicating that they had not yet made up their mind about who to vote for, and so declined my request. Others could not understand how they came to be on a list of NDP supporters since they had never supported the party. This last group was understandable; canvassers, in conversation at the door or on the phone, are eager to identify potential supporters for an election, and may mark an individual with a 1 (definite supporter) or a 2 (leaning towards the party) when such may not be the case. And of course, it may bear out what I wrote in the previous blog about "traditionalists" and "swing voters."

Tomorrow (Tuesday 19 January) I am, with the help of my friend, going into the district to garner, I hope, the required number of signatures. But the process has left me reflecting on the nomination process. Signing a nomination paper does not necessarily mean support for that candidate. Nowhere on the form is the signer required to indicate party support. It is a politically neutral process, but one which can weed out unsavoury characters. However, it does work against someone like myself who is not known in the district or who does not have a large public profile. It is possible that my attempt will not succeed, in which case voters in the Harbour Main District will not have the opportunity to express their displeasure with the current administration, or to show support for a party that stands in line with their own desires.

Stay safe!

Tony Chadwick

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