Townships hone in on electronic voting
Posted Feb 19, 2010 By John Nelson
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Tweet ThisEMC News Area voters will have the opportunity to cast their ballots from the comfort of their own homes in the upcoming election, after five local townships agreed to make use of an electronic voting service provider.
North Dundas council approved a proposal by Intelivote, as recommended by township clerk Jo-Anne McCaslin, which will allow voters to make their choices by telephone or over the Internet.
In addition to North Dundas, the townships of North Stormont, South Dundas, South Stormont and South Glengarry are to make use of the system.
Ms. McCaslin told the EMC that electronic voting was nothing new for the township, explaining that this would be the third municipal election during which phone and Internet votes will be accepted.
"It's gone very well," she said of previous electronic voting efforts. "It's greatly improved the voter turnout."
Ms. McCaslin said that during the last municipal election in 2006, 55%-60% of eligible voters made their choices.
According to a report prepared by the Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks and Treasurers, the average turnout across the province in 2006 was 41.9%, with the highest turnout at 80.3% and 7.8% the lowest.
Less than 10% of Ontario municipalities utilize phone or Internet voting.
"It helps rural people," Ms. McCaslin said. "You can vote at any time" during the designated periods. Phone and Internet votes can cast 24 hours a day.
The 2010 municipal elections will be held on Oct. 25. As of the EMC deadline, no candidates had been nominated in North Dundas.
Ms. McCaslin said that North Dundas does not offer polling stations throughout the township, but anyone wishing to vote in the traditional manner could do so at the township offices on St. Lawrence St. in Winchester.
She described the setup at the municipal offices as a "help centre" where voters could receive assistance, if required, in casting their ballots.
Advance polls are open the Saturday and Sunday before the Monday election.
Intelivote is charging North Dundas $3 per elector. The amount is based on eligible voters, not those who use the system. A second bid was received from CanVote at the price of $3.39 per elector.
"We feel Intelivote Systems will provide the technology we need to run the election properly," Ms. McCaslin told council in presenting her report on Jan. 26. Council approved the recommendation.
The five municipal clerks met on Jan. 8 to review each proposal. Factors assessed included cost, experience in delivering such service and the ability to meet specifications, among other elements.
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