Did you join the NDP after Jack Layton's death? You might not be eligible to vote for the next leader.

I just noticed on the NDP's website the early and late cut-off dates that one must obtain an NDP membership in order to vote for the next leader of the federal NDP.  While all those who want to vote for the next leader must obtain a membership by February 18, 2012, NDP membership holders will have had to obtain their memberships after different dates depending on the province or territory where they live.

From the NDP website: http://leadership2012.ndp.ca/convention/how-vote

• Individuals who take out memberships on or before February 18th 2012 are eligible to vote in Leadership 2012.
• See the chart below for the membership cut-off date in your province/ territory. You must have joined or renewed your membership AFTER the following dates:
•  
• Newfoundland and Labrador September 15th, 2011
• Prince Edward Island January 1st, 2011
• Nova Scotia October 1st, 2011
• New Brunswick February 18th, 2011
• Quebec February 18th, 2011
• Ontario September 15th, 2011
• Manitoba September 1st, 2010
• Saskatchewan September 15th, 2011
• Alberta September 1st, 2011
• British Columbia February 18th, 2011
• Yukon November 20th, 2010
• Northwest Territories February 18th, 2011
• Nunavut February 18th, 2011

I live in Ontario.  I also signed up for a membership on August 24, 2011 just after the death of Jack Layton.  According to the membership sign-up requirements, I will not be eligible to vote unless I choose to renew my membership.  Since I signed up for a membership 23 days too early, I will not be eligible to vote.  I hope that the party will rectify this situation as I may choose not to renew my membership out of principle.  There may be a few members who may suddenly realize that they will not be eligible to vote if they joined the party a few days too early.

And here's to you, Attawapiskat

And Here's to You, Attawapiskat
[Sung to Simon and Garfunkel's Mrs. Robinson]

And here's to you, Attawapiskat

Harper loves you more than you will know (Wo, wo, wo)

God bless you please, Attawapiskat

Harperland’s a place for those who pray

(Hey, hey, hey...hey, hey, hey)

I'd like to know a little bit about you for my files

I'd like to see you learn to help yourself

Look around you, all you see are lazy eyes

Stroll around the cruddy shacks that you call home

And here's to you, Attawapiskat

Harper loves you more than you will know (Wo, wo, wo)

God bless you please, Attawapiskat

Harperland’s a place for those who pray

(Hey, hey, hey...hey, hey, hey)

Hide it in a hiding place where no one ever goes

Put it in your mind that is far away.

It's a little secret, just the ‘Wapiskat affair

Most of all, you've got to hide it from the kids

Coo, coo, ca-choo, Attawapiskat

Harper loves you more than you will know (Wo, wo, wo)

God bless you please, Attawapiskat

Harperland’s a place for those who pray

(Hey, hey, hey...hey, hey, hey)

Sitting on a sofa on a Sunday afternoon

Gonna watch the candidates debate

Laugh about it, shout about it

When you've got to choose

Ev'ry way you look at it, you lose

Where have you gone, Attawapiskat

A nation turns its lonely eyes to you (Woo, woo, woo)

What's that you say, Attawapiskat

Harperland has left you, gone away

(Hey, hey, hey...hey, hey, hey)

Participate in my federal NDP leadership rank ballot poll

Watch the federal NDP leadership debate on CPAC or on the NDP website at 2 p.m. Eastern or 11 a.m. Pacific.  At anytime, particpate in my rank ballot poll at Demochoice NDP2012NPD. Rank your preferred choices 1, 2, 3, and so on.  Vote once every hour if you wish.  The results will accumulate until March 24, 2012.  You don't need to be an NDP supporter to vote.

Vote here.