As has been the case for the past two decades, voters in Southwold will cast their ballot by mail in this year’s municipal vote. Township council voted Monday to continue using mail-in ballots, as per a recommendation from CAO Jeff Carswell.
While admitting vote by mail has potential complications due to the reliance on Canada Post, Carswell advises there are contingencies to ensure a successful election.
It’s a system that provides an appropriate balance between simplicity, familiarity, east of voting, security, inclusion of a physical ballot and efficient, accurate counting, stresses Carswell.
He adds, “If somebody wants to come to the municipal office, we will have a spot set up for them to use their vote by mail package to vote.”
The voting packages will be sent out in late September or the first week of October, giving residents plenty of time to return their ballot.
Carswell notes individuals do not have to return their ballots via the mail.
“We have a secure drop box. They can drop it off overnight. They can come in during the day, drop it off, and we’ll get it into our secure storage. So you don’t have to rely on the return mail to get it back. You could still physically deliver it.”
As to the high cost of postage related to this method of voting, Carswell notes, “Through all of the voting methods, you have to send something out to the people on the voters list. If you’re doing the newer electronic voting, internet voting, those still typically have a component where you mail to people on the voters list.”
He advises the overall voter turnout in the 2022 municipal vote was in the range of 38 per cent using mail-in ballots.
This year’s municipal vote will be held Oct. 26.
Written by Ian McCallum
