ABERFOYLE – Voters in Puslinch Township will receive their ballots by mail rather than vote at a polling station for the municipal election next fall.
Council approved the vote-by-mail option recommended by staff on Oct. 8.
Clerk Justine Brotherson told council that in-person voting at polling stations is expensive in terms of renting facilities and tabulators and hiring staff to run and oversee voting.
While there were in-person polling stations in the 2022 election, mail-in voting was allowed and was very popular in Puslinch, she said.
Advantages of voting by mail for individuals include the convenience of voting at home, less confusion about where and when to vote and increased voter access, though not necessarily voter turnout officials say.
For the township there are savings in time and financial outlay.
The township will set up various locations for voters to drop off their ballots ahead of or on election day.
Brotherson mentioned the Mini Lakes community and Morriston Park Nursing Home as two suitable locations, as well as at the township office.
Councillor Sara Bailey suggested there should be a drop-off location on the west side of the township as well, which staff will explore.
Brotherson said Erin, Centre Wellington, Mapleton, Minto and Guelph/Eramosa all use mail-in voting and there is potential for sharing resources and expertise with those municipalities.
In the event of a postal strike, vote-by-mail kits would be available for pick up at the drop-off sites.
“The drop-off sites provide a direct, reliable method for ballot return, enhancing timely receipt and processing” of ballots, Brotherson wrote in her report.
Because internet service can be spotty in Puslinch, staff do not recommend online voting at this time, she added.
The 2022 election cost $62,640 and Brotherson anticipates the 2026 election will cost about the same.
“I look forward to having more voter turnout and no more standing in line,” said councillor John Sepulis.
CAO Courtenay Hoytfox said tabulating ballots would be done at the municipal office, where candidates could gather and hear the results when they are known.
Council voted in favour of the vote-by-mail option.
