HomeMy WebLinkAboutCD-32-91 2 THE CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF NEWCASTLE
REPORT
Meeting: GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE Filet
Date: SEPTEMBER 9 , 1991 Res. #
Report#: CD-32-91 By-Law#
File#:
Subject: USE OF COMPOSITE BALLOTS FOR MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS
Recommendations:
It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and
Administration Committee recommend to Council the following:
1. THAT Report CD-32-91 be received; and
2 . THAT a by-law authorizing the use of a composite ballot for
future municipal elections be forwarded to Council.
BACKGROUND AND COMMENT:
In past elections in the Town, separate ballots have always been
used, ie: one ballot is produced for each office. This method of
ballot preparation requires that each elector is given five
ballots upon entering the poll, those being Mayor, Regional
Councillor, Local Councillor, Hydro Commissioner and School Board
Trustee.
Section 45( 1) of the Municipal Elections Act, 1980, allows for a
municipality to pass a by-law authorizing the use of composite
ballots, provided such by-law is passed prior to the first day of
October in an election year.
With a composite ballot, all offices are printed on one ballot.
Clerks from other municipalities who have experience with both
types of ballot have indicated that the composite ballot makes
the entire process easier for the Deputy Returning Officers
(D.R.O. 's) and most have said they would not revert to the
separate ballot method. The fact that the D.R.O. is dealing with
one composite ballot versus five separate ballots, speeds the
election process up at the poll as well as during the tallying of
the votes . With the composite ballot, a spoiled ballot for one
office does not invalidate the entire ballot.
Continued . . . . . /2
Report CD-32-91 - 2 - September 9, 1991
The individual who has printed the ballots in the past has
indicated that the cost of printing would be comparable for
either type of ballot.
Because of the benefits which may be realized in dealing with the
composite ballot, it is recommended that a by-law be presented to
Council authorizing the use of same for the 1991 elections . This
by-law will remain in effect for all future elections, until such
time as it is repealed.
Respectfully submitted Recommended for Presentation
to Committee
f
Patti Barre, A.M.C.T. Lawrenc MV Kotseff, M.C.I .P.
TowryClerk Chief A istrative Officer
PLB/ms
THE CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF NEWCASTLE
BY-LAW 91-
being a by-law to authorize the use of composite
ballots for municipal elections
WHEREAS Section 45(1) of the Municipal Elections Act, 1980, as
amended, allows that the Council of a municipality may, by
by-law passed prior to the 1st day of October in an election
year, authorize the use at a municipal election of composite
ballots;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF
NEWCASTLE:
1. THAT a composite ballot for each ward be used for future
municipal elections containing the following information:
a.) The names of candidates for the following offices:
i) Mayor;
ii) Member of Regional Council;
iii) Member of Local Council;
iv) In the case of a public school elector, members of
the Northumberland and Newcastle Board of
Education;
v) In the case of a separate school elector, members
of the Peterborough-Victoria-Northumberland and
Newcastle Roman Catholic Separate School Board;
vi) Members of the Newcastle Hydro-Electric
Commission; and
b) Any by-law or question authorized or required by law to
be submitted to the electors for their assent or
opinion.
2. THAT the composite ballot shall be prepared subject to
subsection 43(1) to (8) of the Municipal Elections Act,
1980, as amended.
By-law read a first and second time this 16th day of
September 1991
By-law read a third time and finally passed this 16th day of
September 1991
MAYOR
CLERK