Members of the Manitoba NDP living in remote locations won’t have to make the long journey to Winnipeg to cast a ballot in the party’s March 8 leadership vote.

The party’s provincial council voted to overturn an earlier ruling of the party executive requiring all delegates to vote in person. Delegates in northern communities now have the option of mailing in their ballots.

Leadership candidate Steve Ashton said the move will make the leadership contest more inclusive. “It was a victory for fairness, it was a victory for democracy, good news for Manitoba,” he said.

It could also be a victory for his campaign. The Thompson MLA has a concentrated support base in northern Manitoba.

“Is this a victory for our campaign? Well, I’m certainly proud of the support I have in northern Manitoba, and I certainly am pleased that many of our supporters will be able to vote,” he said.

Both Premier Greg Selinger and Theresa Oswald, the other two leadership candidates, had also expressed concern about the fairness of the voting process.

The new rule allows party members to vote by mail for delegates to the party convention. Those delegates can likewise cast their vote for party leader by mail. 

Provincial council member and Steve Ashton supporter Tyler Duncan called the decision “a giant step” for fairness and equality.

“This party truly does stand for the northerner, truly does stand for the common guy, the little guy, that needs a voice,” said the Norway House resident.