Anything But Conservative

The site that has gotten a lot of media attention and seems to be the main hub for vote swapping is the facebook group known as 'Anti-Harper Vote Swap Canada' and can be found here:

www.new.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=25808609138 Note: you have to be a member of facebook to view or join the group.

Another vote swapping site: www.votepair.ca

But here's the intro text for the facebook group, so you can get the general idea:

This group is a forum for those who oppose Stephen Harper and the Conservative Party. It is imperative that they do not obtain a majority in the 2008 federal election. To prevent this from happening, those on the broad left and those concerned about the environment must cooperate.

The concept of the vote swap is simple: in a completely legal fashion, it allows voters in different ridings to swap votes to best ensure the Conservatives don't win. Almost anyone who is opposed the Conservatives can take part. If your preferred party has no chance in your riding (or if they are absolutely certain of winning) you can use your vote elsewhere to help candidates from the same party beat the Tories, while at the same time voting strategically to stop the Tories in your own riding.

Some visual examples and scenarios:

Example 1:

Example 2:

Example 3:

Written examples:
Let's pretend I'm an NDP supporter in the riding of Winnipeg South. Seeing as the Tories only managed to beat the Liberals by less than 150 votes in the 2006 election, the Liberals almost surely have the best chance of winning. I use the "anti-Harper Vote Swap" facebook application to indicate that I'm an NDP supporter who is willing to vote for anyone but the Conservatives. Even if you don't know the latest polling data in your riding, we can help.

We will then match you up with another member of the group (in this example, a Liberal in a strong NDP riding who is willing to swap). Assuming we find you a match, you'll receive a message a few days before the election letting you know that your vote can be swapped.

Use the "anti-Harper Vote Swap" application here: http://apps.new.facebook.com/ah_vote_swap/

Our three primary goals:
1) Allow third parties to flourish and maintain Canada's multi-party system.
2) Help stop a Harper Majority! If the Tories win big, we all lose equally.
3) Raise awareness about the need for electoral reform - people should not have to go to such lengths to ensure that their vote is not 'wasted.' No party should be elected to a majority with less than 50% of the popular vote.