Local residents will continue the recent practice of voting by mail for the municipal election in 2014.
Council passed a bylaw confirming the practice at the Dec. 3 meeting.
In a report to council, CAO Bill White explained council passed a resolution on April 9, 2011 indicating the intent to use the vote-by-mail system and the bylaw passed on Dec. 3 simply confirms that intent.
While procedures are being “updated and refined” the basic approach from the 2010 vote-by-mail process will be applied in 2014, the report states.
The report also notes the town office will remain open on election day until 8pm and the Harriston Community Hall will be the main location for counting ballots. Prior to election day three ballot collection locations will be set up, one each in Clifford, Harriston and Palmerston.
In addition, voting places on election day are being considered for retirement homes to facilitate ease of ballot collection for those residents. Further information will be brought forward on how this will be implemented, White stated.
One new suggestion is to have the council chamber open for the public, candidates and media to view preliminary results as they are called in from the Harriston Community Centre. Results would be called in and updated on the laptop and projector, and would be preliminary until verified by the clerk.
“The chambers can also function as a reception area and interview location should there be such interest. Ballot packages dropped off at the town office would be counted in the public works portable,” stated White.
“This would not prevent the Legion or any other location from hosting candidates, but adds a key public location for monitoring results.”
White pointed the Association of Municipal Clerk’s and Treasurers recommended staff remind all potential candidates on council of the need to separate the current business of the town from campaign activities.
This includes everything from bank accounts, websites, emails, cell phones and council meetings.
“For example, the town blackberry should not be used for campaign purposes during the election period. Candidates’ websites or printed materials are to refer to other numbers and email addresses,” he explained.
White also cautioned councillors about using their current position for campaign leverage.
“This council has been excellent focussing on issues at hand and making decisions based on the collective good of the town,” White stated.
“The platform of being on council could be perceived or taken as an unfair advantage over candidates not on council, if the approach to issues differs as we approach the election.”
Council approved the recommendations in White’s report, with only councillor Ron Elliott opposed.
