Oshawa could soon be voting from home

By Chris Jones/The Oshawa Express

The city is debating using phones and Internet as its primary voting method in the next municipal election.

Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter wants council to endorse the option of Internet and telephone voting, as the city is required to pass a bylaw determining its method of voting by May 1, 2021.

Council was provided with four options, and the corporate services committee has voted to endorse the second option.

“This gives people the opportunity to vote from home,” says Carter, adding it also helps those living in long-term care facilities to have an option to vote without leaving their residence.

Residents would also have the option of a voter assistance centre, where they can cast their ballot in person.

However, a motivating factor for many committee members to find a new method of voting is the COVID-19 pandemic, and the safety of Oshawa residents.

“I am truly an optimist, but I do believe we may be in a precarious position for a long period of time,” says Carter.

The mayor also hopes the new method helps engage the public, as Oshawa had a low turnout at the last municipal election.

“This is only one step in regards to hopefully getting more people engaged,” he says.

Ward 4 City Councillor Derek Giberson supports the motion, but made an amendment to add an additional $100,000 to the budget for the new method.

Originally set at $800,000, the city will be providing $900,000 after the amendment.

However, while the amendment did pass, Ward 5 City and Regional Councillor Brian Nicholson called the amount “woefully inadequate.”

Ward 1 City Councillor Rosemary McConkey disagreed with Nicholson’s assessment, saying she endorses the amendment and the motion “100 per cent.”

She also asked staff what the extra $100,000 would go towards.

According to Commissioner of Corporate Services Tracy Adams, the extra funding would go towards increasing public education and communication regarding the new voting methods.

However, in the end Nicholson was the only one to vote against the motion, as he wants consultation with the public as well as municipal partners such as Durham Region.

The veteran councillor attempted to have an amendment passed which would delay council’s final vote on the matter until its November meeting, but it was ultimately defeated.

Ward 1 City and Regional Councillor John Neal, who voted in favour of the motion, agreed with Nicholson.

“This is a very important activity that takes place every four years,” he says.

However, Nicholson was the only one to vote against the motion, and the issue now heads to council.