East Hawkesbury Township begins preparations for next year’s municipal election.
Township council has to approve a bylaw by May 2026 on whether alternative methods of voting, like electronic voting through the Internet, will be used in next year’s municipal elections. The election will take place in October 2026.
In Ontario municipalities have a choice of using the traditional paper ballot for voting or using alternative voting methods like mail-in ballots, electronic methods that involve either the telephone or Internet or both, or a combination of methods.
In a report to council April 14, administration recommended East Hawkesbury Township use electronic voting through the Internet and also set up a help centre to assist residents who either do not have access to the Internet at their home or through a mobile phone or other device. Residents would also be able to get advice at the help centre on the procedure for electronic voting.
During the 2022 municipal elections, East Hawkesbury Township used the electronic voting method, with a help centre setup provided. Overall response from residents was “very positive” the report noted because the voting process was “quick and convenient” and allowed residents to cast their ballots anywhere they were at the time the election window was open.
During the 2018 municipal election East Hawkesbury residents had the choice of casting their ballots via the Internet or by phoning in their vote. The telephone voting method proved less popular and was discarded for the 2022 election.
Right now the township has $15,000 in a special reserve fund to cover expenses for the 2026 municipal election.
Administration has asked for council to decide what voting method it wants residents to use for the 2026 election. If the electronic vote method is chosen then municipal staff can start working with their counterparts in other municipalities in Prescott-Russell on preparing a joint tender call for companies that provide electronic voting services to submit bids to provide Prescott-Russell municipalities with an electronic voting system for the 2026 elections.
