Uxbridge to use internet voting in next municipal election

Roger Varley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Council agreed Monday to allow internet voting in the next municipal election after receiving a report from deputy clerk Emily Elliott. Elliott recommended that "the Alternative Voting Method of internet voting (be used) as a pilot for the 2026 Municipal Election."

In discussing the report, councillor Pam Beach said she was concerned about the number of seniors without computers and with little knowledge of today’s technology. Clerk Debbie Leroux said computers and laptops will be made available at various locations and there would always be someone there to assist the voter.

Chief Administrative Officer Kristi Honey said the Township will have a "good communication program" in place before the election.

When asked if using the internet would increase the number of people casting ballots, Leroux said neighbouring municipalities have used internet voting but said turnout was low. She said she hoped voter involvement would increase but noted the low turnout in the last election as likely the result of some positions on council being filled by acclamation. She confirmed that with internet voting there would be no paper ballots.

With reference to the tornado of a couple of years ago and the recent ice storm, Leroux was asked what would happen if there was an extensive power outage during the election. She said in such an event, the clerk has the power to declare an emergency and delay the election.

Leroux said using the internet would probably have little effect on the election budget, noting fewer staff would be needed to run the election.