General Information

On April 5, 2017, Council approved the use of a Internet and Telephone voting methods for the 2018 Municipal Election. These voting methods will replace the Vote-By-Mail method which was used by the Township for the 2010 and 2014 Municipal Elections. By moving to Internet and Telephone voting methods, electors will have an opportunity to participate in an even more accessible, environmentally-friendly, and convenient method of voting.Similar to the previous Vote-By-Mail elections, there will be no polling stations for the 2018 election. However, voting can be done from home or virtually anywhere else in the world with access to Internet or Telephone, and the use of a personal computer, mobile phone or tablet. Public Internet access is available in the Township at the Tavistock and Innerkip Library branches, during their regular hours of operation.

The Township will be working with Intelivote Systems Inc. to provide for Internet and Telephone voting. Here are some common questions and answers to questions electors may have regarding Internet and Telephone voting:

Internet and Telephone Voting - Common Questions & Answers

"Voter Instruction Letters" will be mailed to eligible electors included on the Voters List toward the end of September, 2018.  If you do not receive a letter it means you were not on the Voter's List and would need to be added. Included in the letter will be voting instructions, as well as a unique Personal Identification Number (PIN). Voters using the Internet method will log on to the election website, enter their PIN, then proceed to mark their ballots electronically. Voters using the Telephone method will dial into a toll free number, enter their PIN, then proceed to follow a touch tone menu to enter their votes. The PIN contained in the Letter will be required in order to Vote! Voting using the Internet or Telephone will be available starting October 12th at 9:00 a.m. and will be permitted up until 8:00 p.m. on October 22nd (Voting Day).

PLEASE NOTE:  If you receive a VIL and are not a qualified elector at the qualifying address noted in the letter, DO NOT use the credentials contained in the letter to vote.  Instead, please return the letter to the Voter Help Centre (Township Office - 90 Loveys Street, Hickson).  It is illegal to represent yourself as an eligible elector when you are not and vote.  It is also illegal to open another person’s mail and/or represent yourself as another person and steal their right to vote.  All of these acts carry serious penalties, as defined by law.  Please see the list of corrupt practices and statutory provisions regulating voting procedures:

                                                          Notice of Offence - Corrupt Practice

                                                           Statutory Provisions Regulating Voting Procedures

Please see the following videos showing how easy it is to vote by Internet or Telephone:

INTERNET VOTING:

TELEPHONE VOTING:

The Township's Internet & Telephone Voting Policy and Procedures are posted here

A third party is any person or entity that is not a political party, candidate or constituency association, and that engages in political advertising. Third parties include corporations, partnerships, unincorporated businesses and associations, and many other groups.

A third party advertisement is a message in any medium (billboard, newspaper, radio, etc.) that supports or opposes a candidate or a “yes” or “no” vote on a question on the ballot. Third party advertising does not include issues-based advertising so groups that do public outreach can continue their issued-based advocacy work throughout the municipal election period. Advertising that does not cost money to post or broadcast, such as comments made on social media, will not be considered to be third party advertising.

Individuals, corporations and unions can register as third party advertisers and can also make contributions to third party advertisers. Third party advertisers will need to register with the municipality where they want to advertise. If they want to advertise in more than one municipality, they have to register in each municipality. Registration allows a third party advertiser to promote or oppose any candidate that the electors in the municipality can vote for (local council, school board trustee positions and regional or county council offices). Third party advertising must be done independently of candidates, who are not able to direct a third party advertiser. Candidates are not able to register as third party advertisers.

If approached by Third Party Advertisers, it is very important that you adhere to the following mandatory rules:

• By Section 88.4 of the Act, broadcasters and publishers may only permit third party advertisements to appear between May 1, 2018 and Election Day (October 22, 2018);
• A registered third party must provide the following information to the broadcasters or publisher in writing before the third party advertisements appears:
  • The name of the registered third party;
  • The name of the business address and telephone number of the individual who deals with the broadcaster or publisher under the direction of the registered third party;
  • The municipality where the registered third party is registered;