For the first time, there will be no paper ballots for this year’s municipal election in Bradford West Gwillimbury.
Instead, residents will have to cast their votes by phone or Internet.
“We’re here to help people with the voting process,” said Bradford deputy clerk Tara Reynolds at an election information meeting Tuesday night. “There are several municipalities across Ontario that do use this method.”
There is also no designated voting day this year. Instead, residents can vote between Oct. 12 at 10 a.m. and Oct. 22 at 8 p.m.
If anyone needs help voting, checking if they are on the voter’s list, or is confused by the new changes, they can visit two voter help centres in the Zima Room of the Bradford West Gwillimbury Public Library, and at the town’s administration office at 100 Dissette St., units seven and eight.
Bradford clerk Rebecca Murphy said no one should be concerned about privacy of Internet voting because residents will receive a voter ID and a pin number in the mail to cast their ballot — they do not enter their names.
If someone is in the process of voting and their computer shuts down or they accidentally leave the website, they can still use their pin number to log back in to finish voting, she added.
As well, the voting kiosks that will be available for residents to use at the voter help centres are all touchscreen, which will help for anyone concerned about accessibility or mobility issues, she said.
Several current town councillors attended the election information meeting and said not all of their constituents know about the changes yet.
“Some will love it. Others will hate it,” said Ward 2 Coun. Gary Baynes.
Ward 7 Coun. Peter Dykie Jr. said he welcomes some of the changes for candidates, such as the requirement to get 25 signatures to endorse a nomination.
“It shows involvement,” he said.
Also new this year, corporations and trade unions are no longer allowed to donate to campaigns, and a person’s donation limit has increased from $750 to $1,200.
For more information on all the changes for this year’s municipal election for voters, candidates and third-party advertisers, visit the town’s election website.
Changes for voters:
- No paper ballots. Voting now done by phone or Internet.
- No designated voting day. Must be done between Oct. 12 at 10 a.m. and Oct. 22 at 8 p.m.
- Proxy voting not allowed because voting can be done from anywhere in the world using the Internet.
- Residents can check if they are on the voter’s list by visiting VoterLookup.ca and entering their name and address.
Voter Help Centres will run:
BWG Library
Oct. 13, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Oct. 15, 4-8 p.m.
Oct. 16, 4-8 p.m.
Oct. 17, 4-8 p.m.
Oct. 18, 4-8 p.m.
Oct. 19, 4-8 p.m.
Oct. 20, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Administration office
Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
This video shows how the voting process will work:
