elections

so I guess this will be a two post day since there is nothing really happening today.  Santa Cruz is in the middle of a civic election.  It's quite a different process than we have in Canada.  First of all,  all their elections happen on Easter Sunday.  Secondly, if you are a permanent citizen, you HAVE to vote.  The city shuts down all transportation on that day so you are able to walk to your nearest voting station & vote.  There is no public transportation running & no vehicles allowed on the road.  IF there is an emergency involving hospital care, you can arrange for a cab to come pick you up.  

The consequences if you don't vote are harsh.  They put a hold of some kind on your passport so you are not allowed to travel.  I'm not quite sure how long that hold lasts but I mean it's one fairly effective way of getting their way!  Could you imagine if they tried to implement that in Canada.  haha.  makes me laugh inside.  oh the confusion.