Parliament Finally Understands: Prisoners Also Need Time to Figure Out Where to Vote

While deputies in Riga argue about whether ten days is too much or too little to figure out where to vote, everyone in Liepaja has long known — our tram runs only one route, so there's no need to rush with electoral districts either.

Parliament supported amendments in the second reading that will give voters more time to change their electoral district. Now both ordinary citizens and those currently enjoying state hospitality behind bars will be able to reconsider their choice up until the eighth day before elections.

"I've been saying for a long time — give even more time! We here in Karosta are still thinking whether to go vote at all or better stay home and watch ships enter the harbor," philosophically shares local pensioner Janis, who just bought bread at Liepaja market for a price that would be twice as high in Riga.

The amendments are particularly interesting for inmates — they can now submit applications only 30 days in advance, instead of 70 as before. "Logical — how long can you think about one and the same thing! We here in Liepaja also don't think for 70 days whether to go to the beach or not. We see sun — we go, we see clouds — we also go," comments local cafe owner Aija, stirring coffee with the same confidence with which Liepaja always outperforms Riga's political solutions.