2018 MUNICIPAL ELECTION Candidate Information Meeting June 27, 2018 - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

June 27, 2018 6:00 – 8:00 PM Markham Civic Centre Canada Room

2018 MUNICIPAL ELECTION Candidate Information Meeting

• 1. Introduction & General Overview
• 2. Candidate Responsibilities
• 3. Candidate Contribution Rebate Program (CCRP)
• 4. Election Sign Regulations
• 5. Markham’s 2018 Election Model
• 6. Markham’s Online Voting Program
• 7. Markham’s In-Person Paper Ballot Program (with Vote Tabulators)
• 8. Election Communications & Community Engagement
• 9. Questions

Agenda

• What are your top 3 questions for our “parking lot”?
• If your questions have not been answered over the course of this

presentation, we will re-visit them or provide the information via e- mail.

• Your feedback is important! Please complete our Comment Sheet

at the conclusion of the session.

Before We Start….

INTRODUCTION & GENERAL OVERVIEW

Section 1

• Kimberley Kitteringham, City Clerk (ext. 4729)
• Martha Pettit, Deputy Clerk (ext. 8220)
• Carlie Turpin, Manager, Elections (ext. 2083)
• Chris Alexander, Acting Manager, By-law Enforcement & Licensing

(ext. 2128)

• Scott Chapman, Grace Lombardi & Abid Mirza, Election Assistants
• General Information (905) 477-7000, ext. VOTE (8683)

Markham’s Election Team

Municipal Elections Act, 1996 (MEA)

• This Provincial legislation governs all municipal elections & by-

elections in Ontario.

• Principles inherent in the Act include:
• Secrecy & confidentiality of vote is paramount; &
• Election must be fair & unbiased & accessible to all voters; &
• The integrity of the process must be maintained throughout the

election; &

• There should be certainty of results; voters & candidates

should be treated fairly & consistently.

Legislative Framework

Role of City Clerk

• The City Clerk is the Returning Officer & responsible for conducting municipal

& school board elections & by-elections (Section 11, MEA).

• Prepares for Voting Day, maintains peace & order, conducts recounts, etc.
• Role of Clerk is statutory function - responsibility & accountability rests with the

City Clerk alone.

• The City Clerk may provide for any matter or procedure that is not otherwise

provided for in the MEA & in the City Clerk’s opinion is desirable for conducting the election (Section 12, MEA).

City of Markham Ward Map

City Wards

Municipal Offices to be Elected

• Office of Mayor (1 to be elected on City-wide basis)
• Office of Regional Councillor (4 to be elected on City-wide basis)
• Office of Ward Councillor (1 to be elected from each of the 8 Wards).
• Office of Regional Chair (1 to be elected on Region wide basis)

Municipal Offices

School Board Offices to be Elected

York Region District School Board

• Area 1 – Markham Ward 1 & Vaughan Ward 5
• Area 2 – Wards 2, 3 & 6
• Area 3 – Wards 4 & 5
• Area 4 – Wards 7 & 8

York Catholic District School Board

• Area 1 – Wards 1, 2, 3 & 6
• Area 2 – Wards 4, 5, 7 & 8

Le Conseil scolaire Viamonde (French Public) Le Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir (French Separate)

School Board Offices

• Successful candidates in the 2018 Municipal Election are

elected for a 4 year term that ends November 14, 2022.

• Candidates must maintain their eligibility for the duration of

the 4 year term.

Term of Office

KEY DATES Nomination Period begins - May 1, 2018, file with Clerk during regular business hours (8am-5pm); last day to file July 27, 2018 (between 9 AM & 2 PM) NOMINATION DAY – Nominations close on July 27th at 2 PM July 30, 2018 Nominations Certified by Returning Officer July 30, 2018 Returning Officer announces Acclamations (if any) September 4, 2018 Voters’ List available for candidates September 24, 2018 Election Signs can now be erected in Markham September 24, 2018 VIP Letters mailed out to all eligible voters September 25, 2018 Returning Officer to provide Final Maximum Campaign Expenses to all certified candidates October 12, 2018 Voting Period Begins – Online & Paper Ballot

Important Dates

KEY DATES October 12 – 19 Voting Period for Paper ballots only October 12 – 22 Voting Period for Online ballots October 22, 2018 Online Voting Only – Voter Assistance Centres open October 23 - 25 Proposed Declaration of Official Results October 25, 2018 Election Signs to be removed by end of day December 31, 2018 End of Campaign Period & last day to request extension to continue campaign if deficit present March 29, 2019 at 2pm Financial filing deadline for all candidates regardless if they requested extension or not

Important Dates (Cont’d)

• In accordance with the MEA, the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation

(MPAC) is responsible for providing the City with the Voters’ List.

• The List contains the names & addresses of eligible Markham voters.
• A voter’s name should only appear once on the List.
• A voter is entitled to vote only in the Ward in which they live – even if they own

multiple properties in Markham. The onus is on the voter to comply with the law!

• Voters’ List may be used for election purposes only.

Municipal Voters’ List

Voters’ List (Cont’d)

• Typical Voters’ List errors:
• Someone has recently moved to or within Markham
• Someone was not 18 years of age at the time MPAC produced the List
• Someone was not a Canadian citizen at the time MPAC produced the List
• Eligible Markham voters can revise the Voters’ List - either online or in-person
• between Tuesday, September 4 & Monday, October 22.
• In-person Voters’ List revisions will be available:
• At several planned “Revision Events” to be held in City Community Centres across

Markham.

• At special events such as Apple Fest, Children’s Festival & Canada Day.
• On an ongoing basis at all City Libraries during regular operating hours.

Voter Information Package (VIP)

• The VIP will be sent to each eligible voter listed on the Voters’ List the week
• f September 24, 2018.
• The VIP will outline:

– Voting dates for both paper & online voting. – Directions on how to cast an online ballot. – Direction on how to obtain assistance from an Election Office to online vote.

• The VIP does not constitute identification!

Accessibility

• Legislative requirements for accessibility in municipal elections are contained in the MEA

& the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).

• The City Clerk must consider the needs of voters & candidates with disabilities in creating

the election model & is required to prepare a Plan on the identification, removal & prevention of barriers that affect same (Section 12 MEA).

• This Plan will be available to the public before voting begins. Within 90 days of the end of

voting, the City Clerk must prepare a report about the success of the Plan & make this publically available (Section 12 MEA).

Accessibility (Cont’d)

• Markham Election staff consult with the City’s Accessibility Advisory & Race

Relations Committees on the 2018 Election Model.

• All Early Voting Places (for paper ballots) being used between October 12-19,

2018 & all 12 Voter Assistance Centres being used on October 22, 2018 are accessible & welcome service animals.

• All Early Voting Places (for paper ballots) will be equipped with special ballot

marking equipment to allow voters to cast a ballot independently.

• Other assistive tools available include:

 Magnifying sheets & pen grips available at all Early Voting Places.  Ability to request help from a friend or an Election Official to mark a ballot.

• Under the MEA, notices, forms & other information provided under the MEA

shall be made available in English only unless authorized by Markham City Council (Section 9, MEA).

• Council passed a by-law to allow for election information to be provided in

languages other than English.

• In the 2018 Municipal Election, key voter information such as frequently asked

questions, how to mark the ballot & the VIP letter will be translated into: Chinese (Simplified & Traditional), French, Persian, Punjabi, Tamil & Urdu (the top most spoken languages in Markham other than English).

Language Support

• Interpretation also available through City’s language line via 905-

477-7000, ext. VOTE (8683).

• Election officials with language skills have been recruited for their

language skills.

Language Support (Cont’d)

• An eligible voter who believes on reasonable grounds that a candidate has contravened the

campaign finance rules contained in the MEA may apply for a compliance audit of the candidate’s campaign finances – even if the candidate has not filed a financial statement (Section 88, MEA).

• As required by the MEA, the City of Markham is required to establish a Compliance Audit

Committee to consider requests for audits of candidates’ campaign finances. The Committee shall be composed of no fewer than 3 members.

• For the 2018 Municipal Election, all municipalities in York Region are participating in a Joint

Compliance Audit Committee (JCAC) - this approach ensures consistency across the Region in terms of the review & consideration of Compliance Audit Applications.

• The JCAC may be required to appoint an auditor & to determine if

legal proceedings are required as a result of its review.

Compliance Audit Committee

CANDIDATE RESPONSIBILITIES

Section 2

• Candidates must ensure they understand the MEA & what their responsibilities

are.

• Candidates for municipalities with more than 4,000 voters must collect 25

signatures endorsing their nominations.

• Nominations may be filed beginning May 1, 2018 until 2 PM on Nomination Day

(Friday, July 27, 2018).

• The Campaign Period begins as soon as a candidate files their nomination papers

& ends on December 31, 2018.

• If a candidate has a deficit & wishes to extend their campaign beyond the end of

2018 to erase it, they must file the prescribed form with the City Clerk prior to close of business on December 31, 2018.

Candidate Responsibilities

• Candidates must open a campaign bank

account before incurring any election expenses

• r accepting any contributions of money (including a contribution from themselves or

their spouse).*

• The campaign bank account must be used exclusively for campaign purposes.
• Candidates must ensure all contributions accepted to their campaign are done in

accordance with the MEA & that all contributions are deposited intact into the campaign bank account.

• Candidates should pay close attention to the financial requirements of the Act &

seek their own professional advice where required – City staff cannot provide legal advice to candidates.

*A candidate who does not spend any money or accept any contributions does not have to open a campaign bank account.

Candidate Responsibilities

Candidate Responsibilities (Cont’d)

• There is now a limit for contributions that a candidate for municipal council & their

spouse can make to the candidate’s own campaign. This limit does not apply to school board trustee candidates.

• The limit someone can contribute to one candidate is now $1,200 – increased from

$750 in the 2014 Municipal Election.

• Corporations & trade unions are not permitted to make contributions to candidates.
• A contributor may not contribute more than $5,000 to all candidates within a single

council or school board jurisdiction.

• There is a separate spending limit for expenses related to parties & expressions of

appreciation after the close of voting – this is a new change to the MEA.

• The City Clerk is now required to review contributions that are reported by

candidates to see if any contributors have given more than is permitted.

• Candidates must ensure:

– Campaign expenses are paid from the campaign bank account; – Contributions of goods or services are properly valued & recorded; – Receipts are issued for all contributions received; – Receipts are obtained for campaign expenses.

Candidate Responsibilities (Cont’d)

• Candidates should keep records of the following:
• Receipt issued for every contribution;
• The value of every contribution;
• Whether a contribution is money or goods or services;
• The contributor’s name & address;
• All expenses;
• Any payment claim of expense that the candidate disputes or refuses to

pay;

• Funds raised & expenses incurred at each fund-raising event; &,
• Money received at a fund-raising event by donations of $25 or less.

Candidate Responsibilities (Cont’d)

• Candidates should provide explicit instructions to persons incurring

campaign costs & accepting contributions on their behalf.

• Any improper contributions should be returned to the contributor or to the

City Clerk.

• All anonymous contributions & any campaign surplus must be retuned to

the City Clerk.

• If candidates use their own money to fund their campaign, they should

pay themselves back prior to returning surplus to the City Clerk - surplus can be used to offset recounts, controverted election & compliance audit.

Candidate Responsibilities (Cont’d)

Candidate Responsibilities (Cont’d)

• Candidates must file their prescribed Financial Statements by March

29, 2019, at 2 PM even if they:

• Were not elected; &
• Didn’t accept any contributions or spend any funds; &
• Withdrew, or
• Filed for an extension to their campaign beyond December 31,

2018 to erase a deficit.

Candidate Responsibilities (Cont’d)

• Scrutineers – candidates may appoint (using the prescribed form) a

scrutineer to represent them during voting & at the counting of the votes, including a recount (Section 16, MEA). Candidates do not have to appoint any scrutineers.

• Scrutineers are required to show the Appointment Form to Election

Official(s) upon request.

• Both Scrutineers & candidates must take “Oath of Secrecy” at each

Voting Place (Early Voting) or Voting Assistance Centre (Voting Day) visited.

• Only 1 Scrutineer per candidate is allowed at each ballot issuer (DRO).
• Scrutineers may observe but they are not allowed to interfere with voters,

attempt to influence how they vote, or ask a voter how they voted.

• Scrutineers may not touch ballots or stand beside Vote Tabulators or

Voting Tablets.

CANDIDATE CONTRIBUTION REBATE PROGRAM (CCRP)

Section 3

Applies to Municipal Council Office contributions only! To receive a rebate:

• Contributors must be an individual resident in Ontario
• Contribution must be cheque, money order, or credit card
• Minimum contribution is $50.00

CCRP

Contribution Rebate $50.00 to $300.00 75% of contribution, maximum $225.00 $301.00 to $550.00 $225.00 plus 50% of the contribution amount exceeding $300.00 $551.00 - $1,200.00 $350.00 maximum

EXAMPLE:

• Contribution: $350.00
• Rebate: $225.00 (75% of $300.00) + $25.00 (50% of difference
• ver $300.00)
• Total Rebate: $250.00

CCRP (Cont’d)

Fundraising Events

• Candidate must provide breakdown of event cost, as well as total

contributions.

• Receipt to contributors must show cost of event entry & any

contributions.

• The net contribution from a contributor shall qualify for a rebate.
• (Individual ticket cost – Event cost per person = Net

contribution from donor)

CCRP (Cont’d)

• Copies of all contribution receipts ARE NOT to be submitted

with the Financial Statement

• Two separate lists of contributors must be submitted with the

Financial Statement – All contributors who have donated more than $100.00 to comply with the filing under the Act – All contributors, as required under By-law 2018-17, whose net contribution is $50.00 & more & who are applying for the rebate – Use Excel file provided

CCRP (Cont’d)

• Candidates participating in Rebate Program must submit completed

Financial Statement with Auditor's Report regardless of total contributions received & total expenses incurred in campaign

• Cost of Auditor (approx. $2000-3000) is Election expense but not

included in maximum expenditure limits

• Auditor must be Licensed under the Public Accounting Act
• Rebate cheques will be issued by the City in summer 2019

(approximately) to all eligible contributors NOTE: Rebates not issued if Financial Statement is not submitted by deadline

CCRP (Cont’d)

ELECTION SIGN REGULATIONS

Section 4

• Election Signs are regulated by Markham’s Election Sign By-law 2018-8.
• To place signs on private & City of Markham property - a $250 sign permit

fee as well as an application (submit to By-law Division).

• To place signs on Regional Roads, an additional $250 permit fee is

required.

• The first day to erect election signs in Markham is September 24th at 10

AM

• Signs must be removed by midnight on Thursday, October 25th (72 hrs.

after the election).

• Only 2 election signs per candidate or Third Party permitted at any

designated intersection.

Election Sign Regulations

Obtaining an Election Sign Permit

• Permits can be obtained from Licensing & Standards (Clerk’s Counter)

located at the Civic Centre starting on Monday, July 16, 2018

• Contact Chris

Alexander, Acting Manager, By-law & Regulatory Services at calexander@Markham.ca

What candidates Require to Obtain a Permit

• Proof of candidacy (Nomination Form duly signed by Election Staff)
• Identification
• Completed Application form & applicable permit fees

Election Sign Regulations (Cont’d)

Election Signs are permitted on private property, provided that:

– Property owner, tenant or occupant consents; – Only 1 election sign per Registered candidate or Third Party; – Sign does not interfere or obstruct vehicular traffic or pedestrians; – Sign adheres to the By-law.

Election Sign Regulations (Cont’d)

• Sign Area – Maximum – 16 square feet (1.49m2)
• Height – Maximum – 4 square feet (1.22m2)
• Width – Maximum – 4 square feet (1.22m2)
• Height off the Ground – 6.6 feet above ground (2m)

Maximum Size & Height of Election Signs

Campaign Headquarters

• In

accordance with the City’s Election Sign By-law, each candidate is permitted to use signage at 1 designated Election Campaign Office, except for mobile, portable, & banner signage.

• A single election sign, displaying the words “Campaign Headquarters” may

be placed on private property.

• Within 42 days of October 22, 2018, election signs may be placed in windows
• f

the portion

• f

the building

• ccupied

by the registered candidates’ Election Campaign Office.

• Only Election Campaign Offices located in a residential or institutional zone

are permitted signage (Sign By-law 2002-94).

Election Sign Regulations (Cont’d)

Removal of Election Signs in Contravention

• By-law Officers will be enforcing compliance with both City & Region

Sign By-laws

• $25 service fee will be administered for each election sign found in

contravention & removed by City staff.

• Candidates will receive a weekly report on status of signs removed
• Signs that are seized will not be returned until after Voting Day

Election Sign Regulations (Cont’d)

• 1. Place signs between the sidewalk & curb;
• 2. Attach to a street pole, fence, post, tree
• 3. Place on a centre median, traffic islands, etc.
• 4. Place on a City boulevard in a Heritage District
• 5. Place at a Voting Place or Voter Assistance Centre
• 6. Place at a park, school, government building
• 7. Place on vacant lands
• 8. Place in office/commercial buildings
• 9. Place within 5m hydrant/bus stop & 10m commercial driveway

10.Obstruct sight lines for traffic/pedestrians

Top 10 “Don’t Dos” for

Election Signs

• Markham has a dedicated Election Sign Enforcement Team for the 2018

Municipal Election.

• The City will not investigate reports of sign theft or damage - these concerns

should be reported to the police.

• There is a $25 service fee for each sign removed.
• Candidates will be provided updates on the number of election signs

removed on a weekly basis.

Election Sign Enforcement

2018 ELECTION MODEL

Section 5

2018 Election Model

• Markham’s online voting program is expanding to Voting Day in 2018!
• As in previous elections, voters will have the choice of casting a paper or

an online ballot in 2018.

• For maximum convenience, a total of 315 hours of voting will be offered as

follows: – Early Voting Period: 2 voting channels to be offered: 1) in-person voting using paper ballots (“vote anywhere”); & 2) online voting – Voting Day: 1 voting channel to be offered - online voting (no paper ballots); eligible voters may cast an online ballot at any one of the City’s 12 Voter Assistance Centres, or at one of the City’s eight libraries, or from home, work, train, etc.

Oct 12–19 Paper Ballot Voting

Voting Period for Paper Ballots will run for 8 consecutive days - eligible Markham voters may attend at any of the 7 Voting Places noted below.

Location Friday Oct. 12

• Sat. Oct. 13 – Sun. Oct. 14
• Mon. Oct 15 – Fri. Oct. 19

Aaniin Community Centre (Ward 7) 10 AM – 8 PM 9 AM – 5 PM 10 AM – 8 PM Angus Glen Community Centre (Ward 6) 10 AM – 8 PM 9 AM – 5 PM 10 AM – 8 PM Centennial Community Centre (Ward 3) 10 AM – 8 PM 9 AM – 5 PM 10 AM – 8 PM Cornell Community Centre (Ward 5) 10 AM – 8 PM 9 AM – 5 PM 10 AM – 8 PM Milliken Mills Community Centre (Ward 8) 10 AM – 8 PM 9 AM – 5 PM 10 AM – 8 PM Pan Am Centre (Ward 3) 10 AM – 8 PM Thornhill Community Centre (Ward 1) 10 AM – 8 PM 9 AM – 5 PM 10 AM – 8 PM

Early Voting Place (Paper Ballot) - Voter Experience

Online Voting - Voter Experience

Eligible voters may vote from anywhere! Online voting will be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, from October 12-22, 2018.

Voter Assistance Centres (VACs) Voters who require assistance may attend at a VAC at the time specified below:

Voter Assistance Centres (VACs)

Location Hours Aaniin Community Centre (Ward 7) 10 AM – 8 PM Angus Glen Community Centre (Ward 6) 10 AM – 8 PM Armadale Community Centre (Ward 8) 10 AM – 8 PM Centennial Community Centre (Ward 3) 10 AM – 8 PM Cornell Community Centre (Ward 5) 10 AM – 8 PM Flato Markham Theatre (Ward 2) 10 AM – 8 PM Markham Museum (Ward 4) 10 AM – 8 PM Markham Village Community Centre (Ward 4) 10 AM – 8 PM Milliken Mills Community Centre (Ward 8) 10 AM – 8 PM Pan Am Centre (Ward 3) 10 AM – 8 PM Thornhill Community Centre (Ward 1) 10 AM – 8 PM Varley Art Gallery (Ward 3) 10 AM – 8 PM

• On October 22, 2018, a voter needing assistance to cast a ballot online

may attend any 1 of the 12 VACs noted below.

Voting Day – User Experience at a VAC

2018 Election Model (Cont’d)

Voters who need assistance

• All City Libraries will be designated as Voter Assistance Centers

during the entire Voting Period (Oct. 12 – Oct. 22)

• Services available will include:

– Additions to the Voters’ List – Revisions to the Voters’ List – Online voting stations – Assistance with the online voting process/platform – General information about the election

2018 Election Model (Cont’d)

• On October 22, 2018, the City will provide a Special Voting Place on the premises
• f:

– An institution in which, on September 1, 2018, 20 or more beds are occupied by persons who are disabled, chronically ill or infirm; & – A retirement home in which, on September 1, 2018, 50 or more beds are

• ccupied.
• In the 2014 Municipal Election, Special Voting Places were provided in the following

facilities: – St. Luke’s Lodge, Glynnwood Retirement Residence, Bethany Lodge, Sunrise

• f Unionville, Union Villa, Rouge Valley Retirement Residence, Markhaven,

Markham Stouffville Hospital, The Woodhaven, Yee Hong Centre, Amica at Swan Lake, Amica at Unionville.

• Special Voting Places for the 2018 Municipal Election have not yet been confirmed.
• Residents of these facilities will vote using a paper ballot (with a vote tabulator).

MARKHAM’S ONLINE VOTING PROGRAM

Section 6

• Ontario is a global leader in online voting.
• In the 2014 Municipal Election in Ontario:

– 97 municipalities (21.8%) offered online voting (up from 44 in 2010) – 62 municipalities (14%) ran fully electronic elections – Online voting was made available to 2.4 million voters

• According to the report: Cyber Threats To Canada’s Democratic Process

prepared by the Communications Security Establishment (CSE) for the Federal Government in 2017, the cyber threat to Canada’s democratic process at the sub-national level (including municipalities) is very low. *The CSE is one of Canada’s key security & intelligence organizations.

Online Voting

• In 2018, Newmarket & Aurora will be joining Markham & offering online voting

to their voters.

• Newmarket offering online voting only (no paper ballots); Aurora offering
• nline voting during the Early Voting Period only (paper ballots only on Voting

Day).

• Scytl is providing the online voting platform to both Newmarket & Markham in

2018 - Scytl provided Markham’s online voting platform in the 2014 Municipal Election.

Online Voting (Cont’d)

• Markham first implemented online voting for 2003 Municipal Election – as

part of a multi-channel service delivery strategy.

• Online voting has now been successfully deployed in 4 consecutive binding

municipal elections in Markham (2003, 2006, 2010, 2014) – the City is a leader in multi-channel voting.

• Why Online Vote? Because it:
• Supports Markham’s digital leadership goals
• Supports the City’s accessibility & diversity objectives
• Is “greener” than in-person voting
• Is convenient for residents
• Is cost effective

Online Voting (Cont’d)

• Markham’s Online Voting model has evolved considerably since 2003 & is

informed by:

• Municipal Elections Act (principles).
• Rigorous testing & lessons learned from 2003, 2006, 2010 & 2014 Municipal Elections.
• 2017

Communications Security Establishment report entitled “Cyber Threats To Canada’s Democratic Process”.

• 2014 & 2010 independent security assessments.
• 2014, 2010 & 2006 user experience surveys (of voters).
• 2010 Literature review undertaken by Dr. Henry Kim, York University (review examined

academic & professional literature regarding online voting especially with respect to security & accessibility).

• 2006 Risk Assessment conducted by Dr. Kim (assessment examined risks associated

with various voting channels).

• Markham City Council approved use of online voting for the 2018 Municipal

Election from October 12-22 (until close of voting at 8 PM - 24 hour access).

Online Voting (Cont’d)

• Online voting does not relieve voters, candidates or others from acting in

accordance with the MEA [Section 49(2)] which states that no person shall:

• Interfere or attempt to interfere with an elector who is marking the ballot.
• Obtain or attempt to obtain information about how a voter intends to vote or

has voted.

• Communicate any information obtained about how a voter intends to vote or

has voted.

• All election models (paper, vote-by-mail, touch screen, tabulators, telephone,
• nline) have inherent risks - the key for election administrators is to identify,

understand & manage risks.

• Greater public awareness of internet security & privacy requires more rigour

around risk management/mitigation.

Online Voting (Cont’d)

2018 Online Voting Process

• Eligible voters on the Voters’ List will be sent their Voter Information

Package (VIP) the week of September 24, 2018; includes instruction

• n how to vote online (includes individual Voting PIN).
• Voting URL will be indicated on letter.
• Online voting procedures are available on Markham’s website.
• Voting opens October 12, 2018 & closes October 22, 2018 (8

PM) – 24 hour access during this period.

Online Voting (Cont’d)

• Does not allow over-votes (warning message appears).
• Allows under-votes (warning message appears).
• Allows blank ballots (warning message appears).
• Allows voters to decline their ballot (warning message appears).
• Voter may re-examine their choice(s) prior to casting their ballot.
• Selections made by clicking on box to right of candidate’s name .
• ‘Submit Ballot’ equivalent to dropping paper ballot in ballot box.

Online Voting (Cont’d)

Online Voting (Cont’d)

• Voters must click on “I Accept” button for the Declaration of

Qualification & Acknowledgement of Offences Statement.

• Voters cannot advance beyond this screen if they do not

accept.

• If Voters choose the “Decline Ballot” button, they will be

provided a warning message & advised they will not be given another ballot if they choose this option.

Declaration of Qualification

Decline Ballot

Office of Mayor

Office of Regional Councillor

Office of Ward Councillor

Office of Regional Chair

CHAIR REGIONAL CHAIR

School Board Trustee

Ballot Review Screen

Confirmation Receipt & Survey

MARKHAM’S IN-PERSON PAPER BALLOT PROGRAM (USING VOTE TABULATORS)

Section 7

• Markham has now used vote tabulators for several binding municipal

elections – our voters are very familiar with the equipment.

• Vote tabulators provide a quick, accurate way to count the votes on

paper ballots.

• Province of Ontario used vote tabulators for the first time in the June,

2018, Provincial Election.

In-Person Paper Ballot Program Vote Tabulators

• To mark a paper ballot, eligible Markham voters fill in the oval next to the

candidate(s) of their choice.

In-Person Paper Ballots (Cont’d)

Process:

• A Deputy Returning Officer (DRO) issues a ballot to the eligible voter - along

with a ballot secrecy folder.

• The eligible voter marks their ballot behind a voting screen.
• The voter returns their ballot in the secrecy folder to the Technical DRO

(TDRO) who operates the vote tabulator.

• The TDRO will feed the ballot (while inside the ballot secrecy folder) into the

vote tabulator.

• The voter remains beside the vote tabulator until their ballot has been

processed.

Vote Tabulator – Paper Ballots

Testing of Online Voting System & Vote Tabulators

• Candidates will be informed by the City Clerk when the online voting system

& the vote tabulators testing will occur.

• Candidates are welcome to attend to observe the testing process.

ELECTION COMMUNICATIONS & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Section 8

Communications & Community Engagement

• The City’s comprehensive Communication & Public Outreach Plan

includes: Attendance at various Markham Advisory Committee meetings (including Accessibility Advisory Committee, Seniors Advisory Committee, Race Relations Committee). Presentations to community groups, newcomer associations, diversity organizations, ratepayer groups. Attendance at various high profile City special events. Advertisements in various media outlets. Extensive use

• f

social media channels (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, WeChat).

QUESTIONS?

How did we do tonight? Please Complete Comment Sheet?