St. Thomas voters will again experience a paperless municipal vote in the 2026 municipal election.
During Monday’s council meeting, members approved the use of internet and telephone voting, employing the same firm, Simply Voting Inc., which provided the service in 2022.
In that election, electors could vote at any time and place from October 11 to October 24.
In addition, electors could attend at one of five mobile voter help centres to vote electronically at an iPad kiosk and to amend the voters’ list.
According to a report to council from Jon Hindley, Deputy City Clerk, approximately 73% of electors voted prior to voting day. Of this number, 84% voted by internet, 9% voted by kiosk at help centres and 7% voted by telephone.
The expenses related to the 2022 vote totalled just under $106,000 while the proposed budget for next year’s vote is $127,000.
The report goes on to note, “The city had a positive experience working with Simply Voting Inc., who ensured a smooth transition in offering internet and telephone voting in 2018 and 2022 and did not encounter any of the slowdowns or shutdowns that were experienced by some municipalities with other providers.”
The motion to allow the use of internet and telephone voting as an alternative voting method for the 2026 municipal election was approved by a 7-1 vote.
Coun. Steve Peters was the lone dissenting vote based on a single-source process with Simply Voting Inc. Coun. Peters sought to open up the process to other potential bidders.
Coun. Gary Clarke was absent from the council meeting.
Written by Ian McCallum
