Some P.E.I. voters annoyed by plebiscite robocalls

Ken Williams says he can make up his own mind on how to vote in P.E.I.'s upcoming plebiscite on electoral reform.

That's why he was annoyed to get an automated phone call or robocall from someone promoting proportional representation, which is included in two of the five options on the ballot.

"I don't need robocalls to make up my mind, and that's why I'm on the no-call list," he said.

• Voting options: The 5 choices in the electoral reform plebiscite

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Williams is one of about a half dozen Islanders who called Elections P.E.I. this week to complain.

No one really likes to receive a lot of these automated calls at your home. I don't know anybody who does. Paul Alan, Elections P.E.I.

Paul Alan, director of communications for Elections P.E.I., said many were confused about who the calls were from.

"They were initially concerned that it was us doing it and they called to voice their opinion," he said.

The calls, in fact, were coming from the PEI Coalition for Proportional Representation.

Canvassing coordinator Sacia Burton said the grassroots group has called about 40,000 homes on the Island over the past week. It used the automated calls, she said, because it can reach a lot of people in a relatively cheap way.

"We want to make sure that people feel like they're informed and ready to make a choice when the plebiscite comes around," she said.

Callers identify themselves

She said the callers clearly identify themselves, and do not follow the do-not-call list which applies to telemarketers because they aren't selling anything.

"Most people, if they're not interested in the call, will just hang up," she said.

Not breaking any rules

The calls don't go against any Elections P.E.I. policy, Alan said, but he understands why people would be annoyed.

"No one really likes to receive a lot of these automated calls at your home," he said. "I don't know anybody who does."

Islanders can vote on the plebiscite between Oct. 29 and Nov. 7. There are five options for electoral reform on the ballot: First past the post, first past the post plus leaders, mixed member proportional, dual member proportional and preferential ballot.

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