In preparation for the upcoming 2022 municipal election, the City of Belleville is researching the possibility of providing residents with the option to vote online or by phone. During the past year, as our community wrestled with the ongoing health and safety issues of COVID-19, it became necessary for the city to add online options for numerous services to ensure residents were able to have continued access in a safe, dependable way. The response referenced not only the current circumstances, but resulted in positive feedback for the simple convenience of being able to access these services when it was most convenient for the individual needing them.
With this in mind, the city feels this may be an opportune time to transition away from the traditional paper ballot election and bring online and phone voting to our municipal election process. To help us make this decision, we are asking for resident feedback. There are several options for you to submit this information.
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Complete the online survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GLL2HT7
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Pick up a hard copy of the survey at City Hall, then complete and submit it between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
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Contact City Clerk Matt MacDonald by email: mtmacdonald@belleville.ca or 613-967-3256
If these changes were to be made, residents would still be provided the option of going to a polling station in the city to cast their vote, but when entering the voting booth, would cast their vote electronically on a tablet as paper ballots would not be used. However, voters would no longer be limited to specific polling hours and would be able to cast their vote any time, day or night, on their computer, smart phone or iPad. The online process is accessible and allows residents to vote from the comfort of their homes without weather or lineup challenges.
This is a decision we need to make together so please take the time to share your thoughts regarding this transition, enabling the city to make a decision that respects the community’s wishes.
Survey or other opinion submissions will be accepted until Friday, April 2 at noon.
THE ABOVE IS A PRESS RELEASE FROM THE CITY OF BELLEVILLE
