keoadmin
02-10-2010, 01:03 PM
Recently the Township of Leeds and Thousand Islands council voted to introducing internet and telephone voting to supplement the traditional paper ballot. They expect this action will open the election to more voters - see below.
Would a similar move by Kingston City Council encourage more people to vote in the October civic election?
-- Kingston Electors
TLTI adds electronic voting to the mix
Posted By LJ Matheson
The Gananoque Reporter, 2010-02-10
http://www.gananoquereporter.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2443484&auth=LJ%20Matheson
The Township of Leeds and Thousand Islands council voted Monday night in favour of introducing internet and telephone voting as well as using the traditional paper ballot citing that it would open the election to a wider range of voters and possibly a higher turnout rate of 50-60 per cent.
In a recorded vote, Councillor Geri Dickson was the only naysayer citing that voters may be a little wary of giving out personal information over the internet, or on the telephone.
"I don't think it's secure," she said. "If it was, then it would be used at the provincial and federal levels. You don't always know who is at the other end of the telephone."
The remaining councillors, including Mayor Frank Kinsella said it was a positive step in a forward direction, with Councillor Charlie Kellington requesting full communication to those who may need further explanation. "I think communication is paramount so the electorate feels a comfort level," he said.
Councillor Andrew Hodge said he felt it opened accessibility to those voters who may not use the traditional method. "It's a better demonstration of democracy," he said.
Council passed the motion to go to electronic voting. They have used the vote-by-mail as their method of voting and area municipalities have been using alternative methods in past elections including internet and telephone.
"I have spoke with (CAO) Steve Clark and we have reviewed alternative methods," said clerk Vanessa Latimer.
"This methods was used successfully in the 2006 municipal election by the Townships of Edwardsburgh/Cardinal and Augusta."
Latimer said both townships reported higher voter turnouts. "Both reported turnouts of 48 per cent in 206 with 60 per cent of those voting using internet or telephone," she said.
This provides voter choice and flexibility; voters don't need to in the municipality, province or country to cast a ballot. It also provides opportunity for military, business travelers, students, snowbirds and non-resident voters.
The results of internet and telephone voting is available following the closure of the polls and the use of tabulators will provide the same result for paper ballots. The single ballot will be canned as it goes into the ballot box. Ballot errors will be identified so the elector can ensure the ballot is correct, and this will eliminate spoiled ballots, the clerk explained.
It's also part of a recommendation that the municipality will require steps to ensure voters with mobility issues have access to the process and telephone and internet voting will address this requirement.
Councillor Tom Lawler this will be inclusive to the traditional process.
"This way, it will give a voter the opportunity to vote from home," he said. "
Would a similar move by Kingston City Council encourage more people to vote in the October civic election?
-- Kingston Electors
TLTI adds electronic voting to the mix
Posted By LJ Matheson
The Gananoque Reporter, 2010-02-10
http://www.gananoquereporter.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2443484&auth=LJ%20Matheson
The Township of Leeds and Thousand Islands council voted Monday night in favour of introducing internet and telephone voting as well as using the traditional paper ballot citing that it would open the election to a wider range of voters and possibly a higher turnout rate of 50-60 per cent.
In a recorded vote, Councillor Geri Dickson was the only naysayer citing that voters may be a little wary of giving out personal information over the internet, or on the telephone.
"I don't think it's secure," she said. "If it was, then it would be used at the provincial and federal levels. You don't always know who is at the other end of the telephone."
The remaining councillors, including Mayor Frank Kinsella said it was a positive step in a forward direction, with Councillor Charlie Kellington requesting full communication to those who may need further explanation. "I think communication is paramount so the electorate feels a comfort level," he said.
Councillor Andrew Hodge said he felt it opened accessibility to those voters who may not use the traditional method. "It's a better demonstration of democracy," he said.
Council passed the motion to go to electronic voting. They have used the vote-by-mail as their method of voting and area municipalities have been using alternative methods in past elections including internet and telephone.
"I have spoke with (CAO) Steve Clark and we have reviewed alternative methods," said clerk Vanessa Latimer.
"This methods was used successfully in the 2006 municipal election by the Townships of Edwardsburgh/Cardinal and Augusta."
Latimer said both townships reported higher voter turnouts. "Both reported turnouts of 48 per cent in 206 with 60 per cent of those voting using internet or telephone," she said.
This provides voter choice and flexibility; voters don't need to in the municipality, province or country to cast a ballot. It also provides opportunity for military, business travelers, students, snowbirds and non-resident voters.
The results of internet and telephone voting is available following the closure of the polls and the use of tabulators will provide the same result for paper ballots. The single ballot will be canned as it goes into the ballot box. Ballot errors will be identified so the elector can ensure the ballot is correct, and this will eliminate spoiled ballots, the clerk explained.
It's also part of a recommendation that the municipality will require steps to ensure voters with mobility issues have access to the process and telephone and internet voting will address this requirement.
Councillor Tom Lawler this will be inclusive to the traditional process.
"This way, it will give a voter the opportunity to vote from home," he said. "