MAPLETON – Residents here will be voting online and by phone in next year’s municipal election.
Mapleton council unanimously approved the voting methods, on township staff’s recommendation, during a Nov. 25 regular meeting of council.
According to a staff report, more than half of Ontario’s municipalities offered internet or phone voting as an option during the 2022 election.
That included Mapleton, where 61 per cent of votes were cast by internet and 39% by mail. Overall 1,843 Mapleton residents voted in 2022.
Next year, internet and phone will be the only voting methods in Mapleton.
Residents will be able to receive support with online voting from the township office, the Drayton library, the Seniors Centre for Excellence and Maryborough Terrace, where staff will be trained to assist.
Voting by mail will not be an option in Mapleton next year, primarily due to concerns about the reliability of Canada Post.
“There remains the possibility of a postal strike or lockout during or in the lead-up to the Ontario municipal election,” the report states.
Councillor Amanda Reid asked if Mapleton staff is concerned about a postal strike preventing the township from mailing out the necessary information for residents to vote online or by telephone.
Clerk Larry Wheeler said, “I think that risk is reasonably low because there’s no date the union could use as a weapon because everybody would be moving that out in a different way.”
Councillor Michael Martin said, “Canada Post has proven to be a very unreliable partner over time and that needs to be acknowledged.”
Centre Wellington has also opted to use internet and phone for next year’s election, while Minto, Wellington North, Guelph/Eramosa, Puslinch, Erin and Guelph will vote by mail.
Mapleton has budgeted $62,000 for the election.
Staff say voting by internet and phone is less costly than other options and has less environmental implications and less risk of failure.
Staff also say voting by internet and phone should increase voter turnout by increasing convenience and flexibility.
People will be able to vote from their computers or telephones at home, or from smart phones or tablets from anywhere, including overseas.
For assistance with voting people can go to the Drayton library, Seniors Centre for Excellence or Maryborough Terrace.
People who are “housebound or disenfranchised due to advanced age, illness, injury, disability, or inexperienced and without the required technology” can arrange for a home visit from municipal staff.
Martin said what stood out in the staff report is the above supports the township will offer, which he said could go a long way in increasing voter turnout.
