Belleville city staff are recommending council continue to look at the use of phone and internet as alternative voting methods in the 2022 election.
A report coming to council on Monday outlines how the alternative voting methods would work and notes that in 2018, 194 municipalities in Ontario used the alternative methods, with more anticipated to do the same for the vote on October 24 of next year.
All eligible voters would be mailed an information card that includes a pin number and polling location, giving them the option to go to that poll, or use the PIN to vote through their computer, smart phone, telephone, or tablet.
Staff say “internet and telephone voting provides for a convenient and secure method of voting and allows electors to cast their ballot online anywhere with internet access”.
If council approves, staff recommends a six-week public consultation period before a final decision is made.
Staff estimate it will cost between $80,000 and $115,000 to operate an election with those methods, plus other administration costs, with an estimated total of between $235,000 and $270,000.
