Alternative voting measures such as online and telephone voting will officially be available for future municipal elections in Fort Frances, though balloting for byelections will remain a paper-based system for the time being.
The use of online and telephone voting began as a measure to address the social distancing requirements of the COVID-19 lockdowns and proved to be a success.
“[In] November 2021, a by-law was passed which authorized the use of telephone and internet voting (alternative voting) in the 2022 municipal and school board elections,” reads a report from Chelsea Greig, municipal clerk for the Town of Fort Frances.
“Telephone and internet were then utilized as voting for 2022. Administration would like to continue with having the option of conducting elections by telephone and internet voting for the 2026 Elections and beyond.”
These alternative measures are intended to have a host of benefits for voters, particularly those with mobility challenges or jobs that may take them out of town for long periods. Greig listed a variety of benefits for adopting this as a permanent option for future elections including better counting accuracy, immediacy and accessibility. She noted that it can also improve voter turnout and lessen or eliminate the need to count and recount ballots.
There was little discussion among town council members in Monday’s meeting on the topic. The only question from council was from Councillor Wendy Brunetta, who asked if there would be an option to have a computer available on-site for voters to use and get assistance with as needed. Greig confirmed that would indeed be an option.
Aside from that one minor alteration, the motion was unanimously passed as presented.
In the case of byelections, Grieg’s report noted that they “may have lower voter turnout, likely one office, and there could be money savings by going [with a] paper ballot. Council may want to consider these case-by-case.
