Correction: The date of a planned virtual open house was incorrectly listed on the city's website. The correct date is Nov. 18.
Should the 2022 municipal election allow online or mail-in voting, or stick with in-person ballots? Perhaps you feel it should be a combination of the three options.
Now’s your chance to speak up and contribute to the decision-making process.
“It’s important any election, but it’s especially important this election given the COVID-19 environment,” said Jennifer Slater, deputy city clerk and manager of information, privacy and elections. “We really want to get input this time around remote voting methods.”
City officials launched an online survey Monday and a telephone survey is expected to start on Tuesday. Questions ask about peoples’ understanding, comfort level and concerns with the three voting methods.
To take the online survey, visit www.haveyoursay.guelph.ca/voting-methods. The survey will be live through Dec. 4.
A virtual open house and panel discussion is scheduled for Nov. 18 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The session will be live streamed at guelph.ca/live and on the city’s Facebook page.
Input gathered through the surveys and the open house will be used by city staff in coming up with a recommendation to council. That report and recommendation will be made public on Feb. 4. A council discussion and potential decision is anticipated on Feb. 17.
Council approved online voting for the 2014 municipal election but eliminated it as an option for 2018. Voter participation saw an 11 per cent jump in 2014 compared to 2010.
The potential of moving from the first-past-the-post system to ranked ballots was to be part of the review, but the provincial government announced last month that it plans to introduce legislation that would remove that as an option.
