HomeMy WebLinkAboutCLD-051-02
'!'- '1>
.
.
Cfn!il!gtoo
REPORT
CLERK'S DEPARTMENT
Meeting:
GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
Report #: CLD-051-02
File#: Co 1
{;P 11-'15(-0 :J--..
By-law #:
Date: November 18, 2002
Subject:
MUNICIPAL ELECTION - 2003
RECOMMENDATIONS:
It is respectfully recommended to Council the following:
1. THAT Report CLD-051-02 be received;
2. THAT the Municipality of Clarington utilize the "Vote by Mail" method of voting for the
2003 Municipal election: and
3, THAT, in accordance with Section 42 of Municipal Elections Act, the appropriate by-law
be forwarded to Council for passage.
Submitted by:
Q ~..;:- -4r-.
Reviewed by: Franklin Wu,
Chief Administrative Officer
PLB*hk
CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON
40 TEMPERANCE STREET, BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO L 1C 3A6 T 905-623-3379 F 905-623-6506
1109
. .
REPORT NO.: CLD-051-02
PAGE 2 of3
For the 2000 municipal election, the "Vote by Mail" method of voting was utilized. In
recommending the use of this method of election, three main benefits were identified, ie:
. Increased voter tumout
. Decrease in costs to the municipality
. Convenience for the electors
As outlined in Report CD-37-01, all three of these benefits were realized. Also identified in that
report were areas of improvement which were common to all municipalities who used the "Vote
by Mail" process, as follows:
. Timing - Many municipalities were concemed with the timing of the process as it
shortens the campaign period for the candidates by one to two weeks. As electors
were asked to have their ballots in the mail by November 3 to ensure delivery by 8:00
p.m. on November 13, and Nomination Day was October 13, there were only three
weeks for campaigning, all-candidates' meetings, etc, Bill 177, which received first
reading on September 24, 2002, amends the Municipal Elections Act to extend the
period between Nomination Day and Election Day from 31 days to 45 days. This will
provide a further two weeks for campaigning purposes.
. Ballots and Ballot Kits - Canada Post was made aware that many municipalities were
not satisfied with the wording, font and setup of some ballot faces and the ballot kit.
Canada Post has established an Elections Project Team which will be working
diligently over the next few months to develop a ballot kit design and clear instructions
for the elector. The Municipal Clerk is a member of this Project Team. Canada Post
will be using the services of an outside printer for the 2003 election, which will enable
some customizing of ballots for the various municipalities. They are also working on
new pricing arrangements.
. Report CD-37-01 identified the fact that the Vote by Mail system cannot be utilized with
automatic vote tabulators and, given the size of the Municipality of Clarington, a hand
count is becoming very onerous. Canada Post is working closely with the
manufacturers of the tabulating equipment in an effort to integrate the two systems.
They are confident that the integration will be available for the 2003 municipal election.
1110
..'
REPORT NO.: CLD-051-02
PAGE 3 OF 3
It is staff's recommendation that the Vote by Mail system be used again for the 2003 municipal
election. As with any new system, some areas of improvement were found, however, the
system did prove to be a success. Changing the system after using it for only one election
would be extremely confusing to the electorate. We will continue to work closely with Canada
Post to ensure clear, precise instructions are included in the ballot kits and to assist with the
integration of the vote tabulators.
The Townships of Brock, Scugog and Uxbridge all used vote by mail in the 2000 election.
The Clerks of these municipalities have indicated that they will be recommending to their
Councils that the system be used again in 2003.
Bill 177 makes numerous amendments to the Municipal Elections Act, mostly which are of an
administrative nature. However, some highlights which Council should be aware of, are:
. The nomination filing fee is no longer required to be paid from a candidate's campaign
account;
. Candidates are required to keep a record of their campaign financial statement for a
period of up to three years after the campaign; and
. The Ministry will develop regulations that raise the filing fee from $100 to $200 for the
head of council. As well, the per-elector amount candidates can spend on their
campaigns will be raised from $0.50 to $0.70 per elector and the base amount will
also be raised to $7,500 for heads of council and to $5,000 for others. The change
reflects the increase in the Consumer Price Index since 1988, when the current limit
was established.
In accordance with Section 33(4) of the Municipal Elections Act, nominations may be filed
starting January 2, 2003.
1111