Committee of the Whole

 

 

 

 

 

TO:

Mayor and Members of Council

 

 

 

 

FROM:

Sheila Birrell, Town Clerk; and

Andy Taylor, Commissioner of Corporate Services

 

 

 

 

PREPARED BY:

Sheila Birrell, Town Clerk

 

 

 

 

DATE OF MEETING:

2005-11-15

 

 

 

 

SUBJECT:

Elections – Advance Polling Hours and Polling Hours in Institutions

 

 

 

 

RECOMMENDATION:

That a by-law be adopted to establish the 2006 advance voting dates, times and locations within the Town in the form attached hereto as Schedule “A”;

 

And that a by-law be adopted to establish modified voting hours for institutions and retirement homes in the form attached hereto as Schedule “B”.

 

PURPOSE:

In preparation for the 2006 municipal election, obtain approval for advance voting dates and modified voting hours for institutions and retirement homes.

 

BACKGROUND:

Section 43(1) of The Municipal Act requires municipalities to pass a by-law establishing one or more dates for an advance vote and for the hours during which voting places shall be open on that date or dates.  Section 46(3) of The Municipal Act provides for a by-law to establish reduced hours for voting in institutions and retirement homes.

 

The municipal election day in 2003 was November 10, 2003 and polling hours were 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.  In-Line Advance Voting in the 2003 municipal election was held on Saturday and Sunday, November 1st and 2nd in four locations and the following Monday to Friday at the Civic Centre.  On-Line Advance Voting was held from Monday, November 3rd to Friday, November 7th for all wards.

 

Voting Hours in Institutions and Retirement Homes with reduced hours of voting were 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Election Day.

OPTIONS/DISCUSSION:

Advance Voting is necessary to provide the public with the opportunity to vote in advance of Election Day.  The only other alternative is proxy voting and that process is cumbersome and does not provide good customer service.  However, advance voting does not eliminate the ability for someone wishing to take advantage of proxy voting.  2003 advance voting turnout is as follows:

 

Advance Polling                                                                        Votes Cast

Internet Voting -- November 3 to 7                                            7,210

In-Line Voting --  November 1 and 2                                         2,577

In-Line Voting --  November 3 to 7                                               756

 

The 2006 election day is November 13th, 2006.  Staff is recommending that the 2006 in-line advance voting dates, times and locations be as follows:

            Saturday, November 4 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

            Sunday, November 5                10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

 

            Locations:         Wards 1 & 2 – Thornhill Community Centre

                                    Wards 3 & 6 -- Civic Centre, Canada Room

                                    Wards 4 & 5 – Markham Museum Reception Centre

                                    Wards 7 & 8 – Milliken Mills Community Centre;

 

Monday to Thursday, November 6th to 9th – Noon to 8:00 p.m. in the Civic Centre, Canada Room.

 

The recommendation represents one less day of in-line advance polling due to problems associated with the advance voting extending right up to and including the Friday prior to Election Day in 2003.  The process of compiling a list of persons who voted at advance poll, printing it, and delivering it to every poll on Election morning, was cumbersome.  In fact, Supervisors observed D.R.O’s. striking names of advance voters off their lists mid afternoon on Election Day.  It is therefore being recommended that the last date for advance voting be Thursday, thereby allowing for more time to process the amended list.  A new software package will assist in improving the process in 2006.

 

Staff are also recommending the 2006 on-line advance voting dates be Saturday, November 4th 10:00 a.m. to Thursday, November 9th  at 8:00 p.m.., which would be one additional day over 2003.

 

General Committee requested staff to consider a later commencement date for advance polling, in order to allow more time for campaigning.  The recommended hours would allow candidates a full six weeks to campaign following the final nomination day of September 29, 2006 prior to any voting taking place.  Other contributing factors to the recommendation are: (1) the significant number of residents who took advantage of advance voting on the preceding Saturday and Sunday in 2003 and the likelihood they would be unable to vote during the week, (2) the additional risks and costs of $156,000 associated with internet voting; and (3) the added OPTIONS/DISCUSSION:  (cont’d.)

administrative workload related to a second method of alternative voting may not make economic sense for a shorter advance voting period. 

 

Institutions and Retirement Homes – Section 46(3) of The Municipal Act provides that a municipality may pass a by-law providing for reduced opening hours with respect to a voting place where the place is only for the use of residents of the institution or retirement home.

 

Staff will work with the Administrators of the facilities to ensure all residents that are eligible have the opportunity to vote.  As in 2003, these locations will not have vote tabulating equipment because of the low numbers of eligible voters.  Election Staff will go room to room, if necessary, to assist the electors to cast their vote.  They will remain at the location until close of poll.  They will then proceed to the Civic Centre for the insertion and tabulation of the votes at 8:00 p.m.

 

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS:

None

 

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS:

None

 

ACCESSIBILITY CONSIDERATIONS:

None

 

ENGAGE 21ST CONSIDERATIONS:

None

 

BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:

None

 

ATTACHMENTS:

Schedule “A” By-Law Providing for Advance Voting

Schedule “B” By-Law Providing for Modified Hours of Voting for Institutions and Retirement

           Homes

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sheila Birrell,

Town Clerk

 

Andy Taylor, Commissioner,

Corporate Services