By Katie Strachan
The Oshawa Express
In an effort to increase voter turnout for
next year’s municipal election, the city may
implement Internet-based voting technologies
for advanced polling.
According to a report from Rick Stockman,
the commissioner of corporate services, voter
turnout continues to fall even in the face of
aggressive communication campaigns at all
levels of government, which is why some
councillors are pushing for the addition of the
new voting method that is more in-line with
ever-changing societal trends.
Voter turnout has declined by more than 50
per cent in the last 60 years in Oshawa, states
the report.“I truly believe that in the future voting poll
stations won’t exist,” says Councillor John
Henry, adding technology has advanced greatly
over the past few years and the generation
going forward is familiar with it.
Councillor April Cullen says she is all for it
as well.
“My view of it is not only do I want people
who live in challenging neighbourhoods, but I
want the youth to have the advantage,” she
says.
But not all councillors are convinced the
electronic method is a positive route for
Oshawa to take.
Councillor Brian Nicholson is concerned
that electronic voting can create loopholes for
those hoping to take advantage of the system.“There better be an absolute paper trail and
electronic voting hasn’t got to that point yet
where there is a paper trail and that scares me
as a candidate and a citizen,” he says.
Electronic voting is currently being used in
the Town of Markham and the City of
Peterborough, states the report.
Voters receive their voting cards in the mail,
which includes information on how to register on-line to obtain a secret personal identification
number (PIN) either by mail or email.
After the voter receives the PIN, they can
log on to the site and enter in all their personal
information etc.
Once this information is verified, the voter
casts their ballot electronically.
According to a chart outlined in the report,
only the traditional method, which the City of
Oshawa currently uses, is in line with all the
Election Act Principals outlined by the
Municipal Elections Act.
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