European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - December 11, 1988, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Page 2 the stars and stripes sunday december 11,19bb Many canadians overseas did t vote cafe says fewer than half cast ballots by Joseph owe staff writer fewer than half of the Canadian forces Europe personnel and dependents eligible to vote in Canada s nov. 21 fed eral election actually did so. The forces voting coordinator said. Army Cape. Duck Buchanan said Fri Day that a restrictive ejection Law and distance to the polls May explain Why voting Rales at cafe bases and other nato forces installations ranged be tween to percent and 45 percent while nearly three quarters Oral eligible voter Back in Canada East ballots. The Low participation occurred de spite an unusually controversial election Campaign and the fact thai mfg polls were open for six Days. And the  t even include Hundred of locally hired Canadian civilian cafe workers who by Law May not Vole unless the return to their Home districts on election Day. About 3,600 of the 8,300 eligible Vot ers affiliated Wilh Canadian forces Baselar cast ballots As did 1,785 of 3,961 eligible voters at the forces Baden sol temperatures Tingin base. Reporting similar turnout were polling stations in Grilc Skirchen Heidelberg and Ramstein West Ger Many Brun sum Netherlands and Brussels. Belgium. Polls were open nov. 7-12 for several hours each Day. Of those who voted about 4s percent were in the military 35 percent were military dependents and 20 percent were Canadian forces dependents schools teachers other civilians recruited in Canada and their family members. Postelection reports reveal that Dis Tance to the polls often discouraged peo ple from voting Buchanan said. Some of our communities Are quite spread out and it s difficult for the de Pendents to gel in to vote he said. Fam Ilies associated with inc Lahr and Badin s81lingen bases live up to 25 Miles away making it difficult for adults in a one car family to go to the polling stations he said. Distance is not the Only Issue for Mili tary family members however. Canad an election Law requires a dependent Liv ing overseas to vote in the same District where the family s military member is december 10 Hilo 3 in 41 2 Tuntti Turmol b.uiuicmb04e.c Bdl on  c .1 Cox Rinh i Tom Tatj Cima curd  it Tanh c Ekuni  44 20 51 ?4 14 ii j9