Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Sam Hester @calgaryhester.bsky.social · 12h

One more note. To pick up a ballot, you need a signed authorization from the person you're picking up for, saying that they're letting you pick up the ballot. & when you request the ballot online, you must give their address, to confirm they're on the voter list.
Ok, end of rant, happy voting! 7/7

Sam Hester @calgaryhester.bsky.social · 12h

You’d think that in an election that bodes extremely low turnout, Elections Calgary might want to... TELL PEOPLE it's possible to pick up a ballot? Anytime up until election day, at a fairly central location (1212 31 Ave NE)? Maybe folks could benefit from that info? Ok, my rant's almost done. 6/7

Sam Hester @calgaryhester.bsky.social · 12h

But here’s the weird part. On the Elections Calgary site, this helpful service is referred to as a "Mail-In Ballot," or “Special (Mail-in) Ballot package" (see my screenshots). How is anyone supposed to learn that a pick-up option is available? There's no mention of it! 5/7

1 2

Sam Hester @calgaryhester.bsky.social · 12h

You’d think that in an election that bodes extremely low turnout, Elections Calgary might want to... TELL PEOPLE it's possible to pick up a ballot? Anytime up until election day, at a fairly central location (1212 31 Ave NE)? Maybe folks could benefit from that info? Ok, my rant's almost done. 6/7

Sam Hester @calgaryhester.bsky.social · 12h

But here’s the weird part. On the Elections Calgary site, this helpful service is referred to as a "Mail-In Ballot," or “Special (Mail-in) Ballot package" (see my screenshots). How is anyone supposed to learn that a pick-up option is available? There's no mention of it! 5/7

Screenshot of a screen that says "Register to vote by mail."

Screenshot of a screen that says, "Request a mail-in ballot."

1 1

Sam Hester @calgaryhester.bsky.social · 12h

But here’s the weird part. On the Elections Calgary site, this helpful service is referred to as a "Mail-In Ballot," or “Special (Mail-in) Ballot package" (see my screenshots). How is anyone supposed to learn that a pick-up option is available? There's no mention of it! 5/7

1

Sam Hester @calgaryhester.bsky.social · 12h

If you can’t make it to the polls, you can request a mail-in ballot, which is usually sent to you by Canada Post (or by self-paid courier, if there happens to be a postal strike). However, I was surprised to learn that there’s another option. You can request a ballot, and go pick it up! 4/7

Sam Hester @calgaryhester.bsky.social · 12h

But which continuing care residences actually do get on that list? The Elections Calgary website says that, of the 150-ish residences, 58 are on the list:
elections-prd.calgary.ca/for-voters/a...
I'm curious about how that list is made! But, that's another story. On to special ballots! 3/7

1 2

Sam Hester @calgaryhester.bsky.social · 12h

But which continuing care residences actually do get on that list? The Elections Calgary website says that, of the 150-ish residences, 58 are on the list:
elections-prd.calgary.ca/for-voters/a...
I'm curious about how that list is made! But, that's another story. On to special ballots! 3/7

2

Sam Hester @calgaryhester.bsky.social · 12h

This year, I was surprised to learn that Elections Calgary was not bringing ballots to the folks at my mom’s continuing care residence. Apparently, a request for ballots had to be issued in June (earlier than usual), so maybe they missed the date, and that’s why they aren’t on the list? 2/7

Sam Hester @calgaryhester.bsky.social · 12h

Hey #yyc! If you can't get to the polls on election day, you can PICK UP a ballot from Elections Calgary anytime until Oct. 20, & bring it back. You have to request your ballot here:
sb.calgaryelections.ca
I wrote a comic about this for @sprawlcalgary.bsky.social. But I have some more thoughts. 1/7

A black & white comic strip on a bright green background telling the story of how I found out that I could pick up a ballot from Elections Calgary, so my mom could vote at her continuing care residence... but I was confused that this was called a "mail-in ballot." There is no mail involved!

2

Sam Hester @calgaryhester.bsky.social · 12h

Hey #yyc! If you can't get to the polls on election day, you can PICK UP a ballot from Elections Calgary anytime until Oct. 20, & bring it back. You have to request your ballot here:
sb.calgaryelections.ca
I wrote a comic about this for @sprawlcalgary.bsky.social. But I have some more thoughts. 1/7

4 8

Sam Hester @calgaryhester.bsky.social · 1d

Hi, Drawing Book readers! I posted some new #comics yesterday, but forgot to share the link here. Just a few more pages from my long-ago travel sketchbook.

samhester.substack.com/p/people-on-...

People on airplanes, and people who smoke

Comics about my travel adventures long ago.

samhester.substack.com

1

Sam Hester @calgaryhester.bsky.social · 2d

I've been writing #comics about #yyc election stuff for @sprawlcalgary.bsky.social! Sharing today's, because I loved learning about J. M. Miller. I visited his grave at Union Cemetery. His institutional memory must have been incredible!

Check out more election comics at sprawlcalgary.com! #yyccc

Black & white text and images on a bright green background. "Did you know? J. M. Miller was Calgary's city clerk from 1913-1955."

3 12

Sam Hester @calgaryhester.bsky.social · 8d

Big #moon in Ramsay! #yyc

1 2 17

Sam Hester @calgaryhester.bsky.social · 11d

The supervisor said vaccine administrators wouldn't have access to Netcare, because logistically impossible as well as a privacy breach. She said it's an honour system, to ensure people with health issues are prioritized over "healthy" people. Seems like documentation of prescriptions couldn't hurt!

1

Sam Hester @calgaryhester.bsky.social · 11d

811 told me the people giving vaccines would be confirming health conditions by checking Netcare. That seemed... problematic! Ended up talking to a supervisor who said that was absolutely not the case, but that it might be helpful to bring documentation to confirm health conditions. Confusing!

1 1

Reposted by Sam Hester

The Sprawl @sprawlcalgary.bsky.social · 12d

❌ No votes for you! Calgary had a very limited local democracy in its early days…

Every day in October, until Election Day (Oct 20), we're sharing a new @calgaryhester.bsky.social comic about Calgary’s election history. Stay tuned for more! #yyccc

Cartoon of a voter from 1884: male, over 21 and a British subject with property worth $300, as a woman (not allowed to vote) looks on

4 41 150

Reposted by Sam Hester

The Sprawl @sprawlcalgary.bsky.social · 13d

TONIGHT! Mayoral candidate forum at the Central Library with 8 candidates, moderated by MRU political scientist Lori Williams and Sprawl editor Jeremy Klaszus. If you didn't snag a seat you can watch the livestream starting at 6:30pm. #yyccc

LIVE TONIGHT: Calgary mayoral forum at Central Library | The Sprawl

Watch The Sprawl's livestream.

www.sprawlcalgary.com

8 23

Sam Hester @calgaryhester.bsky.social · 13d

Yes, same here! Thanks for posting about it.

1

Sam Hester @calgaryhester.bsky.social · 13d

I called 811 to ask how those conditions would be verified at the vaccination appointment, and was told it was an honour system. It's also my understanding that folks with those conditions do not have to pay. I'm guessing many Albertans don't realize they are eligible for a free vaccine!

1 1 1

Sam Hester @calgaryhester.bsky.social · 13d

The #yyc municipal election is coming up soon! I've been working with @sprawlcalgary.bsky.social on some new #comics, to get you thinking about how much your vote counts. Tune in for a new panel every day!

The Sprawl @sprawlcalgary.bsky.social · 13d

Today we're kicking off a new Calgary election comics series by @calgaryhester.bsky.social! Every day from now until Oct 20, we'll be posting a new panel. Think of it as a local election Advent calendar—with a new surprise each day about Calgary's political history! #yyccc

A cartoon of Calgary's first mayor, George Murdoch, elected in 1884

5 22

Sam Hester @calgaryhester.bsky.social · 15d

@jvipondmd.bsky.social According to 811, vaccine bookings are available on alberta.ca. If you have an underlying health condition, it's FREE. The list of eligible conditions is broad (ie. ADHD & obesity) & I was told no documentation is needed: it's an "honour system."
www.alberta.ca/coronavirus-...

COVID-19 info for Albertans

Learn about COVID-19 and how to protect yourself and your family.

www.alberta.ca

2 4 9

Sam Hester @calgaryhester.bsky.social · 19d

I just showed this art to somebody and only just now noticed the #StreetLegal reference on the other side... now I love this even more!

1 1

Sam Hester @calgaryhester.bsky.social · 19d

I love that artwork!!

1 3

Sam Hester @calgaryhester.bsky.social · 20d

Who knows? Once I wrote a comic about the possibility that God reads the Ramsay newsletter...! 🙂

2

Sam Hester @calgaryhester.bsky.social · 23d

Oh! I totally know you. And I remember that office very well! Thanks for solving this mystery for me! 😊

1

Sam Hester @calgaryhester.bsky.social · 23d

Just a few have been new drawings. Usually I scan original pages and then format them in Photoshop (remove the page edges and blur out the names)!
I'M always curious about who's behind your account, but whoever you are, glad to be able to let you know how much I appreciate all the likes! 🙂

Photograph of four sketchbooks with colourful covers, on a wooden table surface. One book is open to show a page with comics-style illustrations in ink and pencil crayon.

1 1

Sam Hester @calgaryhester.bsky.social · 23d

Hi, drawing book readers! I'm back this week to share another newsletter featuring illustrated anecdotes about my long-ago life in Calgary! Here's a picture of me waking up on a couch on top of an Edmonton Trail garage...!
samhester.substack.com/p/time-to-ri...

1 2 6

Sam Hester @calgaryhester.bsky.social · 28d

Congrats to Bill and boblinks!!! ❤️