Richmond Hill introduces online voting for YRDSB trustee byelection in October

Here is what voters need to know

Yorkregion.com
August 14, 2020
Sheila Wang

The City of Richmond Hill will switch to online voting for the upcoming York Region District School Board (YRDSB) trustee byelection this fall.

It is going to be the first time the city conducts electronic voting, which is a “safe, secure and reliable” voting method that has been used in many Ontario municipal elections, according to a press release on Aug. 12.

Many other municipalities, such as Markham, Newmarket and Aurora, have offered online voting in past elections.

Online voting for the byelection in Richmond Hill will be open from 10 a.m. on Oct. 14 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 19, 2020.

The school board decided on July 6 to hold a byelection, which was one of four options to fill the seat left vacant following the resignation of Corrie McBain, former board trustee for Richmond Hill Wards 1, 2 and 4.

The byelection, scheduled for Oct. 19, 2020, is estimated to cost the city $207,000 via internet voting -- about $100,000 less than the cost of standard voting -- according to Richmond Hill.

HOW TO VOTE ONLINE

To cast your ballot online, you must be registered on the voters’ list.

You may check if you are on the list by visiting RichmondHill.ca/RHVotes and selecting “Voter Registration,” which will be available until 6 p.m. on October 1, or you can call the Voter Assistance Helpline at 905-771-5555.

Registered voters will receive the voter’s information package (VIP) with the necessary information you need to cast your ballot online. VIPs will be sent to registered voters in September.

WHO CAN VOTE?

To be eligible to vote in this byelection, you must be:

• at least 18 years of age;

• a Canadian citizen;

• a resident of Wards 1, 2 or 4 of Richmond Hill;

• an English public school board support voter; and

• not otherwise prohibited by law from voting.

WHERE TO FIND HELP

If you need help, two voter assistance centres will open during the voting period from Oct. 14 to Oct. 19.

They are located at Oak Ridges Community Centre and Pool (12895 Bayview Avenue) and Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts (10268 Yonge Street).

Hours of operation will be posted at Richmondhill.ca/RHVotes in September.