Concerns arise about potential voter fraud in Richmond Hill mayoral byelection

Yorkregion.com
Jan. 12, 2022

After receiving outdated voter information packages for the upcoming mayoral byelection, Richmond Hill resident Linda Herriott became worried about potential fraudulent voting.

"Many households are getting voting slips for people who no longer live in the house (or in the city)," said Herriott, who talked to some neighbours.

"A few households received four while only two people currently live there. This opens up this election to a great deal of fraudulent voting."

Herriott believes that should be an indication that in-person voting should be the only option with proof of address required.

For the mayoral byelection slated for Jan. 24, residents can vote online from Jan. 18 to 24 and in person from Jan. 22 to 24.

Resident Pat Pollock also received voter cards for her two grown children, including one who has not lived in Richmond Hill for 16 years.

"I was hoping that mine was an isolated occurrence, but it seems that it is at least widespread in my area," said Pollock, who found 17 of 22 households she surveyed have received voting cards for their moved-out children, amounting to 41 possible extra votes from non-residents.

The voters' list for any election or byelection is supplied by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) and overseen through the Ontario Elections Act, according to city clerk Stephen Huycke.

To be removed from the voters list, a person is required to apply to be removed during a regular election and notice of this is provided by the clerk to MPAC, said Huycke.

He believes MPAC has internal processes to remove or move voters in between elections, which are related to real-estate transactions.

Regarding Pollock's fraud concerns, Huycke said both in-person and online voting require an eligible voter to provide some proof that they are who they say they are.

In online voting, an eligible voter is required to provide both identification (voter ID, voting PIN, and birthdate) and a declaration of qualification.

With in-person voting, an eligible voter is required to provide identification or a declaration of qualification.

The internet voting system will ensure that one person can only vote once, the city clerk explained.

However, Pollock is still concerned that if a parent has received a child's voting information, the parent could potentially vote for the child.

"We just have to hope that the parent is honest and will not use that strategy," she said.

According to the Elections Act, it is illegal to vote if you are not a current resident. The penalties for convicted fraud voting include a fine of up to $25,000 and up to six months in prison.

Pollock wants this byelection, with a price tag of $625,000, to be an honest election without cause for manipulation nor charges of fraud afterwards.

"What we want is a fair, honest, democratic election. The last thing we need is an election that sows doubts and divisions."