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Newmarket scraps paper ballots in favour of digital democracy

Town doubles down on efforts to help residents vote online, by telephone
20180906 Lisa Lyons Vote Newmarket
Lisa Lyons, director of legislative services and town clerk legislative services, is leading Newmarket's first foray into a paperless municipal election.

Like it or not, the only way to flex your democratic muscle in the upcoming Oct. 22 municipal election is to vote by internet or telephone.

Town council decided last year to scrap the paper ballots and polling stations in favour of what it says is a more accessible, environmentally friendly and convenient way to vote.

Casting your ballot for mayor, deputy mayor and regional councillor, ward councillors and school trustees should take no more than five minutes from start to finish.

Just remember this simple message: 10 days, three ways.

All blushing aside, that quirky sense of humour that works so well for the York Regional Police Twitter feed is driving engagement at the town.

“So many people call and ask what that’s all about?” said Lisa Lyons, director of legislative services and town clerk legislative services. ”Newmarket is known for being innovative.”

Ten days, three ways means that between Oct. 13 to 22, voters can cast their electronic ballot on a computer, mobile device such as a cellphone or iPad, or telephone.

The town has partnered with Markham on its first foray into digital democracy. The southeastern municipal neighbour was one of the first of Ontario’s 444 municipalities to introduce electronic ballots in 2003. A later 2006 proprietary study of voter experience showed 88 per cent cited convenience as their primary reason for voting, and 86 per cent said they voted online from home.

Further, Markham’s voting technology vendor, Scytl, who will also run Newmarket’s 2018 municipal election, reported a 20 per cent increase in voters who logged online to vote in the 2014 municipal election, as compared to 61 per cent from the previous 2010 municipal election.

There isn’t a clear consensus if online voting increases participation in the democratic process, but with municipal voter turnout in Newmarket’s 2014 municipal election at 36.78 per cent, it’s another tool to engage citizens, Lyons said.

For its part, the town is ramping up efforts to connect with municipal voters before they begin to cast ballots Oct. 13 in advance voting.

You may have already answered the door to a member of the town’s first-ever “election street team”, staff who have been going door-to-door to help residents get on the municipal voters’ list.

Marketing materials have been translated from English to the top five languages reflecting Newmarket’s demographics, including French, Italian, simple Chinese and traditional Chinese, Farsi and Russian. And, two voting assistance “super centres” will be open  from Oct. 19 to election day Oct. 22, at Ray Twinney Recreation Complex, 100 Eagle St. W., and the Magna Centre, 800 Mulock Dr.

So, what could go wrong? Plenty, according to computer scientists, cyber security experts and others who are studying the impact of technology on democracy.

Viruses, hackers, and the inability to prove the identity of the person voting online are but a few of the security issues identified over the past decade.

Newmarket has contingency plans in place, Lyons said, including conducting a system-wide security audit by a third-party vendor prior to election day.

“We’re very low risk as a municipality,” said Lyons. “And we have the authority to extend the election if we need to.”

Now You Know

  • First things first. The key to smooth sailing when casting your vote online or by telephone is to get on the municipal voters’ list. This ensures you receive a voter instruction letter that contains the PIN that’s required to make your choices for who you feel will best represent your interests on local council. If you haven’t received the letter by Oct. 2, call Newmarket’s election office at 905-953-5121 or visit them at 395 Mulock Dr. from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  • A voting demonstration session is planned for residents on Wednesday, Sept. 19 from 7 to 9 p.m. at 395 Mulock Dr. You can learn more about how to vote online, by telephone, and have your security concerns addressed by the vendor.
  • For help on how to vote, click here
  • This three-minute video walks you through the steps of voting online. Click here
  • Learn how to vote online or by telephone in free classes with the election team at the Seniors' Meeting Place computer lab, classes begin Sept. 10 (474 Davis Dr.) and Newmarket Public Library boardroom (438 Park Ave.). Visit the town's election site for more information.