Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCLK 03-17 Report to PiCKERING Executive Committee Report Number: CLK 03-17 Date: March 6, 2017 From: Paul Bigioni Director, Corporate Services & City Solicitor Subject: 2018 Municipal Election - Internet and Telephone Voting for the 2018 Municipal Election - File: A-2000 Recommendation: 1. That Report CLK 03-17.be received for information; and 2. That Council direct the City Clerk to implement an Internet/telephone Voting System for the 2018 Municipal Election. Executive Summary: The 2018 Municipal Election will take place on Monday, October 22, 2018. The Municipal Elections Act provides that the council of a Municipality may pass by-laws authorizing the use of alternative voting methods. Previously, the establishment of voting methods was completed by June of an election year, however, Bill 181 (the Municipal Elections Modernization Act) now, imposes a deadline of May 1, 2017 for the authorization of alternative voting methods for the 2018 election. Establishing the method of voting is the fundamental first step in planning for any municipal election. Additionally, given the numerous recent changes to the Municipal Elections Act, the City should allocate as much time as possible to ensure that we are adequately prepared for the 2018 Municipal Election. Financial Implications: The use of intemet/telephone voting reduces costs, as compared to traditional paper ballot voting, by reducing the number election workers, paper and supplies needed to conduct the election. Maintaining some polling locations on Election Day will unfortunately offset most of those cost savings. Cost savings will be realized, however, after several election cycles, when internet/telephone voting is expected to become more commonplace, and polling locations can be eliminated. The last municipal election cost the City approximately $200,000.00. For 2018, the introduction of intemet/telephone voting will not substantially change that cost. The approximate cost to run an internet/telephone election is $200,000.00. Discussion: This report details internet/telephone voting as an option for the City of Pickering for the 2018 Municipal Election. During the 2010 Municipal Election, there was an increase in the number of Ontario municipalities implementing Internet voting. Following the 2010 election, the Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks and Treasures of Ontario sent out a CLK 03-17 March 6, 2017 Subject: 2018 Municipal Election Page 2 survey regarding internet voting. Of the municipalities who responded, 30 noted use of the Internet as a complementary voting channel in the 2010 Municipal election. Of those respondents, 70% noted they were extremely satisfied, 26% were very satisfied and 4% were satisfied. None of the municipalities noted an unsatisfactory experience with any Internet voting product available at that time. During the 2014 Municipal Election, several more municipalities implemented internet/telephone voting successfully with many voters citing a positive voting experience. In the 2014 regular election, the Town of Ajax solely used internet/telephone voting and saw an increase in their overall voter turnout from 25 to 30 percent. In addition, a post-election survey concluded that 95% of voters were satisfied with using internet voting to cast their ballot. The 2016 Town of Whitby North Ward One By-election also used internet/telephone voting and saw a voter turnout of 29% compared to 26% in the regular election. The Town of Whitby also conducted a post-election survey, with 97% of voters indicating that they would likely use internet voting in the future. It is important to note that surveys and studies over the last few elections show that internet voting only increases voter turnout by about 3%, so internet voting should not be selected as a method to increase voter turnout. Those that already vote, will continue to do so, however, survey results indicate that voters like internet voting. The noted advantages of internet/telephone voting since its inception are: - Designed to encourage participation by those who may be less inclined to visit a physical voting place in order to vote; - Provides additional voting opportunities for students and vacationers who are unable to visit a voting place (e.g. more convenient than voting proxies); - Enhances accessibility and privacy for voters with disabilities; - Generates faster, more accurate results due to electronically automating tabulation; - Presents a "green" option for voting due to the reduced need to travel to and from a voting place and also due to not printing paper ballots; and - Improved administration and streamlined processes. Some of the concerns expressed about internet voting are the perception of security risks, concerns with voter authentication and the loss of transparency in the traditional sense, with reduced oversight of some components of the voting process by candidates and scrutineers. To date, of the 97 Ontario municipalities to use internet voting, none have identified a case of voter fraud or other process problems sufficient to challenge an election. Another concern pertaining to internet voting is the availability of internet access in the community, and the potential for power outages or loss of internet. These risks are mitigated with emergency procedures that detail back-up plans (e.g. back-up internet access at polling locations), and the addition of telephone voting as a secondary source of voting if an internet connection is lost or not available. CORP0227-07!01 revised CLK 03-17 March 6, 2017 Subject: 2018 Municipal Election Page 3 Internet/Telephone Voting and Internet-Voting Kiosks on Election Day If selected as the method of voting for the 2018 Municipal Election, internet and telephone voting would ideally be provided for an 8-day advance voting period. Voters would receive an information package in the mail, which would contain their elector identification number and information about the voting process, as well as a secure website address where they would go to register. The municipality must choose either a one or two-step registration process for voters to obtain their ballot. For a one-step process, electors receive their confidential PIN number in their package, which they then use to log into the system, along with another identifier (e.g. date of birth) to access their ballot. A two-step process requires that electors must pre-register, then wait to receive a PIN number to obtain their ballot, which can make the voting method overly complicated, especially for those with low levels of computer and internet literacy. There is a need to find a balance of security and convenience when choosing between a one-step or two-step system, so as to continue to realize the convenience of internet/telephone voting. On Election Day, there would be Polling Locations set up throughout the City. These Polling Locations would offer residents a place to vote if they do not have a computer, internet access, a telephone or a cell phone. This component also offers residents the ability to seek assistance voting and provides the "social" component of voting that some desire. The locations would be equipped with touchscreen voting kiosks, at which voters would be able to vote over the internet and would also have a telephone if the voter would like to vote by phone. Assistance would be available at all voting kiosks. Internet/telephone voting removes the need for residents to travel to the polls. It enables students that are away at school to vote by internet or telephone. It eliminates the need for proxy voting. It is accessible to all, and provides faster and more accurate election results. In addition, having polling locations with voting kiosks on Election Day will satisfy those that are either unable to vote online, or prefer to vote in person. The approximate cost for this option is $200,000.00. Although this estimate is similar to previous election costs, the significant benefit of providing internet and telephone voting is an important convenience for the electorate. In addition, a robust communications plan would be put into place to ensure that residents are informed about the voting methods available to them. If Council authorizes the use of internet and telephone voting for the 2018 Municipal Elections, the by-law set out in Attachment 2, will need to be approved. If Council decides not to approve internet/telephone voting for the 2018 Municipal Election, then the City of Pickering will conduct the election using ballot tabulator machines and paper ballots as in previous years, and no action is required. Please recall that in 2014, the number of polling locations was reduced due to school closures and a lack of accessible locations, and voters expressed concern regarding the distance they had to travel to get to their voting location. The cost to conduct an election using ballot tabulator machines and paper ballots will be approximately $200,000.00. CORP0227-07/01 revised CLK 03-17 March 6, 2017 Subject: 2018 Municipal Election - Page 4 Attachments: 1. Draft By-law Prepared By: Approved/Endorsed By: off' /1'7n4/ 1,VLA11.0 Lisa Harker, MPA Debbie Shields Deputy Clerk City Clerk Appr k/Endorsed By: Paul Bigi a ni Director, ► orpor- e Services & City Solicitor LH Recommended for the consideration of Pickering C. Council Tony Prevedel, P.Eng. Chief Administrative Officer CORP0227-07/01 revised The Corporation of the City of Pickering By-law No. /17 Being a by-law to repeal By-law 6093/03 and By-law 4888/96 to authorize the use of internet and telephone voting. Whereas Section 42 (1) of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, as amended, provides that a municipal council may pass a by-law authorizing an alternative voting method including internet voting; And whereas council deems it appropriate and in the public's interest to conduct the municipal elections using internet and telephone voting for the purpose of counting votes. Now therefore the Council of The Corporation of the City of Pickering hereby enacts as follows: 1. The use of Internet Voting and Telephone Voting are hereby authorized for the 2018 Municipal Election and all future elections. By-law passed this day of , 2017. David Ryan, Mayor Debbie Shields, City Clerk