Council Votes to Continue Using Internet and Telephone Voting Methods in 2024 By-Election

SOUTH BRUCE, ON – Council voted to continue the use of electronic voting via phone and internet for the 2024 by-election, as permitted under the Municipal Elections Act. The Municipality of South Bruce has used internet and telephone voting in local elections since 2010. Electronic methods are used in more than half of Ontario municipalities.

Why did Council decide to continue using internet and telephone voting methods?

In light of a recent delegation requesting a paper ballot process, municipal staff presented a number of options for Council’s consideration including Internet voting, paper ballot, telephone voting, and vote by mail.

Council voted to continue using the internet and telephone voting. Electronic methods offer several advantages in conducting a fair, accessible and accurate election. These include:

• Accessibility and equity: Improves ease and access to vote, by allowing the use of personal devices and assistive technologies, removing barriers like time and travel. All eligible voters can vote from a location of their convenience, even if they are out of town.
• Accuracy: Ensures accurate results and reduces manual tabulating errors.
• Efficiency: Reduces staffing need for voting locations and saves time in vote counting. Reduces the amount of printing, postage fees and paper used.
• Automatic Tabulation: 100% of the results will be available upon the close of voting once all voters have completed their voting.
• Cost-effective: Internet and Telephone voting has the potential to reduce election costs due to reduced election staff and time requirements.

“In 2022, South Bruce used internet and telephone voting and we had a voter turnout of 59.33%, which is 23% higher than the provincial average,” said Mayor Mark Goetz. “By sticking with internet and telephone voting, it is our hope to see a high voter turnout in this year’s referendum.”

Why is South Bruce holding a 2024 by-election?

The Municipality of South Bruce has been participating in the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO)'s Site Selection process to host a deep geological repository since 2012.

In response to community input, South Bruce Council decided to hold a by-election to determine the community’s willingness to host the Project. Although no by-law has been passed and the voting day has not yet been set, staff are continuing to prepare for a 2024 by-election.

More information on by-election voting methods is available in report Clerk-03-03-24, on the municipal website.

-30-

For more information:

Tyler Robinson,
Communications/Public Relations Officer
Municipality of South Bruce
trobinson@southbruce.ca
519-901-3959