No, This Video Does Not Show Squirrels Flying Ballots in Ontario
- A video circulating online showing election workers in Hamilton, ontario, placing boxes in their vehicles triggered a wave of reactions among Canadian internet users.
- The controversy began when a Canadian youtuber posted a video online, stating, "I surprised electoral agents winning ballots at home." the user further claimed, "By pure chance, I...
- The original video, approximately 30 minutes in length, garnered around 160,000 views on YouTube.Shorter clips extracted from the video began circulating on other platforms, including a tweet that...
Video of Election Workers Sparks Misinformation in Canada
Table of Contents
- Video of Election Workers Sparks Misinformation in Canada
- Video of Election Workers Sparks Misinformation in Canada: A Q&A
- What’s the story behind the viral video?
- What did the video show?
- What did the person filming the video allege?
- What did the election worker say about the boxes?
- How did elections Canada respond to the allegations in the video?
- what did Elections Canada say the boxes actually contained?
- What security measures are in place for ballot boxes?
- Did the longer version of the video provide further context?
- What did the longer video version reveal about the contents of the boxes?
- What did Elections Canada say about the actions of the election officials?
- Summary of Key points
A video circulating online showing election workers in Hamilton, ontario, placing boxes in their vehicles triggered a wave of reactions among Canadian internet users. Claims quickly spread alleging the workers were transporting filled ballots, but Elections Canada has refuted these claims.
The controversy began when a Canadian youtuber posted a video online, stating, “I surprised electoral agents winning ballots at home.” the user further claimed, “By pure chance, I saw five Canada election employees taking boxes, which contained votes according to Elections Canada, and bringing them home. I followed one of them and I confronted it.”
The original video, approximately 30 minutes in length, garnered around 160,000 views on YouTube.Shorter clips extracted from the video began circulating on other platforms, including a tweet that was viewed over a million times. The tweet warned, “Alert: A Canadian surprised scrupitors while bringing boxes of ballot to the house. The left is still trying to steal the election!”
The circulating extract shows a man filming as individuals place boxes labeled “canada Elections” into the trunks of their cars. The man in the video exclaims, “A box of votes. And again other boxes of votes… they stack them in their cars, just like that.”
The man filming then approaches one of the election workers at their home, questioning the contents of the boxes.
“Are there no ballots in the box?” the man asks.
The worker replies, “No.”
The man filming then asks, “Why do they send you home with the box, then?”
The worker responds, “Because we have to bring it back on monday morning.”
This exchange fueled accusations of electoral fraud online.
Elections Canada Responds to Allegations
Elections Canada has publicly addressed the video, stating that the details presented is inaccurate. The organization refuted the allegations on its official X and Facebook accounts, acknowledging that they had received numerous inquiries from concerned citizens.
Matthew McKenna, an Elections Canada spokesperson, stated, “The video captures an example of the work done before the election day.Scrutors or polling station supervisors recover the equipment necessary for the installation of polling stations on the day of the election with the local office of the ballot director. The equipment includes articles such as signaling, commentary forms and activity registers. Employees bring everything to them if they do not have access to the polling station in advance, as some polling stations are only rented for a day. Empty ballot boxes that can be seen in the video can be used to transport the equipment. the video shows no box containing votes.”
Elections Canada further clarified that ballot boxes containing advance ballots are sealed and subject to security measures, including “the signature of witnesses on the seal and the recording of the number of each seal on an official register.”
Longer Video Clarifies Contents
The boxes depicted in the video are not sealed. A longer version of the video available on YouTube provides further context, indicating that the boxes do not contain ballots.
In the extended version, the election worker explains to the person filming that they are transporting office equipment to be used at the polling station the following day.
The man filming asks, “So your box is not filled with voting ballots?”
The worker replies, “No.”
the man filming responds, “Thank God.”
The worker then offers to show the contents of the box, stating, “It is empty, I’ll show it to you!” The man filming appears to inspect the box off-camera.
The worker adds, “They are just office supplies… you see?”
The man filming then asks again, “Are there any virgin voting ballots in there?”
The worker reiterates, “No!” before displaying the contents of the box.
The man filming concludes the interaction by saying, “Ok … thank you for your time,” before departing.
Elections Canada reminds the public that “electoral officials swear under the oath not to alter the electoral material or the vote” and that they “Sign an official register at the Local Office of Elections Canada when they receive the notebooks of unmarked voting ballots.”
Video of Election Workers Sparks Misinformation in Canada: A Q&A
This article provides key information on a video that sparked controversy and misinformation regarding Canadian election workers.
The controversy began with a video showing Canadian election workers placing boxes into their vehicles. The video was shared on social media platforms,and shorter clips went viral,leading to accusations of electoral fraud.
What did the video show?
The video extract showed election workers loading boxes labeled “Canada Elections” into their cars. The person filming the video claimed the boxes contained votes. The man filmed then approached one of the election workers and questioned the contents of the boxes.
What did the person filming the video allege?
The person filming, claimed to have “surprised electoral agents winning ballots at home,” further stating they saw canada election employees taking boxes of “votes” home.
What did the election worker say about the boxes?
The election worker stated that there were no ballots in the boxes and that they were transporting the boxes back on Monday morning.
How did elections Canada respond to the allegations in the video?
Elections Canada refuted the claims made in the video and stated in a public statement that the details presented were inaccurate. Elections Canada acknowledged and addressed the volume of inquiries from concerned citizens on its official X and Facebook pages.
what did Elections Canada say the boxes actually contained?
According to Elections Canada, the boxes contained equipment for the installation of polling stations. The equipment includes signaling, commentary forms, and activity registers. the equipment is not used for transporting votes.
What security measures are in place for ballot boxes?
Elections Canada clarified that ballot boxes containing advance ballots are sealed and subject to security measures,including the signature of witnesses on the seal and the recording of the number of each seal on an official register.
Did the longer version of the video provide further context?
Yes, the longer version of the video available on YouTube clarifies that the boxes did not contain ballots.
In the extended version, a worker explained that they were transporting office equipment to be used at the polling station the following day.
What did the longer video version reveal about the contents of the boxes?
The longer version of the video reveals that the boxes contained office supplies
What did Elections Canada say about the actions of the election officials?
Elections Canada reminds the public that “electoral officials swear under the oath not to alter the electoral material or the vote” and that they “Sign an official register at the Local Office of Elections Canada when they receive the notebooks of unmarked voting ballots.”
Summary of Key points
Here’s a rapid summary of the main points:
| Issue | Description | Elections Canada Response |
|——————————————|———————————————————————————–|————————————————————————————————————————–|
| Allegation: Boxes contained filled ballots | A video showed election workers transporting boxes. | Elections Canada refuted the claims, saying the video was inaccurate. |
| Actual Contents | The boxes contained equipment for setting up polling stations, such as office supplies. | Ballot boxes with advanced ballots are sealed with security measures, including witness signatures and seal recording. |
| Worker’s Clarification | Workers stated the boxes didn’t contain ballots and the boxes would be transported back on Monday morning | Provided a clear explanation regarding the office supplies being used for day-to-day functions. |