Brampton councillors pull plug on Internet voting

BramptonGuardian.com
Oct. 9, 2016
Peter Criscione

City councillors have pulled the plug on the idea of allowing voters to use the Internet to cast a ballot in municipal elections after experiencing ‘sticker shock’ over the cost.

At an Oct. 5 community meeting, Jordyn Lavecchia, coordinator of elections and special projects, tabled a report recommending the city introduce Internet voting for advance polls starting in 2018.

Alternate methods of voting are intended to make voting more accessible while, at the same time, helping to boost dismal voter turnout that has traditionally plagued municipal campaigns.

Lavecchia cited examples from neighbouring municipalities that have already adopted the Internet practice, such as Markham, Peterborough, Ajax and Vaughan.

But some councillors expressed concerns over the potential for voter fraud. They were also put off by the $1 million price tag.

“I question whether that expenditure of taxpayer dollars is good expenditure or not,” said Coun. Jeff Bowman, noting that voter turnout in advance polls would have to be significant in order for the added cost to be worth it.

City clerk Peter Fay acknowledged that there is no documented evidence to suggest Internet voting increases voter turnout. Fay noted the largest benefit to Internet voting is increased convenience and greater accessibility.

Voter turnout in Brampton’s advanced polls in 2014 increased significantly over the 2010 municipal election.

More than 11,190 residents cast ballots in early voting compared to the 8,368 people that participated in advanced polls in the 2010 election.

Overall, though, voter participation languished in 2014 despite the interest in the local campaign being particularly high in light of scandals and investigations involving the former mayor and councillors.

Of the 289,906 people eligible to vote in 2014, only 104,950, or 36.20 per cent, cast a ballot despite the city introducing several new initiatives aimed at increasing voter awareness.

Mobile apps, extended advanced polling dates and a voting bus set up at key locations across the city were all part of efforts to encourage residents to vote.

Coun. Gurpreet Dhillon was among the council group that spoke in favour of keeping the status quo.

“In my opinion, democracy is when a valid citizen is able to vote and we can verify it. There is no way to verify (via Internet) if that person is voting,” he said.

Committee voted 10-1 (Mayor Linda Jeffrey the lone vote against) to keep the status quo and require voters to mark paper ballots. The city will spend some $690,000 to lease new ballot tabulating machines.