Aurora residents can vote for municipal candidates online from Oct. 12 to 21

Yorkregion.com
August 14, 2018
Teresa Latchford

In an effort to make it more convenient for Aurora residents to vote, the town is offering electronic voting, leading up to Oct. 22.

For residents who have found it difficult to visit the polls on election day, the Town of Aurora has decided to offer an alternative that will allow those registered on the municipality’s voters list to vote from any location with an internet connection. From Oct. 12 to 21, electors can vote from their computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone.

“You could be on the GO train on the way to work in the morning and vote,” Aurora town clerk Mike de Rond said. “It’s just a more convenient option for people who can’t make it out to vote on Oct. 22.”

It also ensures those with mobility issues and those who need help getting to and from voting locations can now exercise their democratic right from the comfort of their own homes.

In this municipal election, Aurora voters will be voting for one mayor, six at-large councillors and a school board trustee.

Residents eligible to vote should ensure they are registered on the voters list, in preparation for the municipal and school board election this fall, by visiting voterlookup.ca. Voter information can be confirmed or updated, school support can be changed and names can be added to the elector’s address.

The town requires a two-step registration for security purposes, meaning voters looking to vote online will have to register on a specific website and will then be sent a PIN number to input when voting online.

“The actual voting portion is very similar to a traditional ballot,” de Rond said. “There are prompts and only one race per page. Residents will still have the option to spoil their ballot, as well.”

He couldn’t comment on whether or not this new voting option will increase voter turnout from the previous election, which saw 35 per cent of eligible Aurora voters visit the polls.

“There are so many factors that can have an impact on voter turnout,” he added. “It makes it very difficult to pinpoint what actually increases or decreases turnout.”

The 2014 municipal election had two referendum questions on the Aurora ballot, asking local voters if they support decreasing the number of councillors to six from eight, and if there was support for a ward system rather than town council being at large.

This time around, there are four candidates looking to earn the mayor’s seat, which could bring more people out, as well.

In 2003 there was only one Ontario municipality of 144 that introduced electronic voting, but the next year, there were 100.

“So far, there has never been a security incident in Ontario using electronic voting,” de Rond said.

Following the election, a debriefing will be conducted and reported to council.

Questions or concerns can be directed to elections@aurora.ca or 905-727-1375.