This fall, voters in five Wellington County municipalities will cast their ballot for municipal and school board elections through Canada Post.
The Town of Erin, Town of Minto, Township of Guelph-Eramosa, Township of Centre Wellington and Township of Mapleton will all use a vote-by-mail system to elect municipal councillors and school board trustees.
In Puslinch and Wellington North, voting will be conducted in the traditional manner though polling stations.
Under the vote-by-mail system, eligible voters should expect to receive a voting kit in the mail by Oct. 6. Voters may complete their voting kit and send their ballot back by prepaid return mail prior to Oct. 18.
After the deadline, ballots can be returned by dropping them off in person at designated locations in each municipality.
“Vote by mail helps voters cast a ballot that might not have been able to vote otherwise and voter turnout is increased by this process,” stated Minto CAO Bill White, adding voters are reminded to place their ballot in the secrecy envelope provided and include the signed declaration in the return envelope before mailing.
Guelph-Eramosa clerk Meaghen Reid explained, “Our goal with vote by mail was to find an alternative way to engage voters.”
Voting by mail has some history in both Wellington County and across the province.
It has been used by several Wellington municipalities for the past three municipal elections and provincially for over a decade. Municipal officials state the system has continuously been improved and clarified to provide a more accessible and secure experience for voters.
Over 60 municipalities will be voting by mail as part of their election this October.
“We have used vote by mail for the past three elections. Our voters are familiar with vote by mail and it has been successful in our community,” stated Centre Wellington clerk Kerri O’Kane.
Proponents of the mail-in ballot system say it provides numerous benefits to the voter, including:
– convenience, as ballots can be cast anytime, anywhere for weeks before election day;
– accessibility; for voters who have mobility or transportation issues, there is no need to travel to a physical poll to cast a ballot; and
– there is no need to be in the municipality on election day to vote, making it easier for voters who live far away to cast their ballots.
In vote by mail municipalities, any eligible voter who does not receive a voter kit can do so at their local municipal office during regular office hours by signing the appropriate declaration and providing proof of address.
Eligible voters who do not receive a kit are encouraged to obtain their voter kits prior to election day.
Vote-by-mail municipalities
In Centre Wellington electors can drop off ballots at the municipal office. Election officials will also be present at the Victoria Park Seniors Centre in Fergus on Oct. 21 from 1 to 4pm and Oct. 24 from 9am to 12pm to:
– assist with voting (bring vote-by-mail kit with you);
– assist with corrections to the voters’ list;
– issue voters’ kits if lost, misplaced or not received (bring photo identification and proof of residency); and
– answer questions.
Municipal office hours will be extended to 8pm from Oct. 20 through 24, and open on Oct. 25 from 10am to 2pm.
In Erin municipal office hours will be extended on Oct. 23 to 8pm and the office and will be open on Oct. 25 from 10am to 2pm. Voters may also deposit kits after hours through the mail slot at the main entrance of the office.
Voters can also return kits to the municipal office up until 8pm on election day (Oct. 27).
In Guelph-Eramosa voters can return their completed kits directly to the municipal office anytime before 8pm on Oct. 27. The township will have extended office hours (until 8pm) during the week prior to election day (Oct. 20 to 24), and an after-hours drop box that will be secured for the purpose of accepting returned, completed kits. Guelph-Eramosa will also have two ballot return stations on Oct. 23 and Oct. 25, from 2 to 8pm, at both the Marden Community Centre and the Rockmosa Community Centre.
In Mapleton ballot return envelopes may be dropped off at the municipal office on Sideroad 16 anytime between Oct. 6 and 24 from 8:30am and 4:30pm and on election day, Oct. 27 from 10am to 8pm.
In Minto, after the mail-in deadline, ballots may be dropped off at the municipal office during regular office hours.
On election day, Oct. 27, ballots will be accepted until 8pm. Ballot return stations will be set up in the lobbies of the Clifford, Harriston and Palmerston arenas between noon and 4pm on Oct. 25.
Traditional ballot municipalities
In Puslinch advance voting will be held on Oct. 18 from 9am to 6pm at the township office on Wellington Road 34. On election day, polls will be open at two locations between 10am and 8pm. Voters in poll districts 1 to 4 will cast their ballots at the Clifford Evans Training Centre on Ellis Road and residents of districts 5 to 8 will vote at the Puslinch Community Centre. Poll district maps are available at the township office or at twp.puslinch.on.ca. Voters are advised to bring photo identification.
In Wellington North an advance vote will be held on Oct. 11 from 10am to 6pm at the municipal office in Kenilworth. On election day voting locations at the Mount Forest and District Sports Complex and Arthur and Area Community Centre are open from 10am to 8pm.
