Mailing It In

Like everyone, I am eagerly (and simultaneously, nervously) awaiting the results of the Presidential Election, and for all of those folks counting mail-in votes to finish their tabulating.

We recently underwent a snap provincial election here in British Columbia. Due to COVID-19 and the surprise nature of the campaign, more than 700,000 votes were cast by mail; in our 2017 provincial election, only 6,500 voters requested a mail-in ballot. 

Of course, our elections in Canada are not nearly as exciting as anything that happens with U.S. politics - and thank f*ck for that! No investigations into Russian interference, no conspiracies about mailboxes being pulled from city streets to obstruct the mailing-in of ballots, no protests to either stop or ensure the counting of all the votes that were sent by mail.

In BC, our provincial election was held on October 24. Voters have been told that, due to the time it will take to count all of the mail-in ballots, final results are not expected until November 16 or so. 

And you know what? That's totally fine with everyone. Full stop. End of discussion.

Our country may not be perfect; certainly, our electoral systems could do with a refresh themselves. But in contrast to what is happening in the U.S. right now, I am grateful to have what we have. 

Relative peace and non-controversy during these strange times. It may not be much, but I'll take it!

(My apologies, American friends.)

Grant Hindsley for The New York Times