REQUEST FOR DECISION
DATE: April 18, 2022 Report No. ADM-22-010
TO: Laurie Hurst, Chief Administrative Officer
FROM: Deb Hopkins, Manager of Corporate Services
SUBJECT:
Title
2022 General Local Elections Bylaws
End
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
That Council:
1. give first, second, and third readings to "Election and Assent Voting Procedures Bylaw, 2022, No. 3068"; and
2. give first, second, and third readings to "Automated Vote Counting System Authorization and Procedures Bylaw, 2022, No. 3069".
Body
RELEVANT POLICY:
Election Procedures and Automated Vote Counting System Authorization Bylaw, 2018, No. 2928
Local Government Act
Elections Act
Community Charter
STRATEGIC RELEVANCE:
This request for decision reflects statutory requirements pertaining to quadrennial local elections. It also supports the strategic priority to engage, respect and respond to the needs of our community.
BACKGROUND:
General local elections are held every four years. In the fourth year of the election cycle all applicable bylaws respecting the conduct of elections must be reviewed to ensure that changes in legislation are reflected and that prescribed procedures remain relevant. In addition, the Chief Election Officer should consider strengths and challenges from the previous election to enhance processes to increase voter turnout by reducing barriers for eligible voters to receive and cast ballots.
In 2022, amendments to the Local Government Act removed the restrictions previously in place that limited mail ballot voting eligibility. In 2018, Council requested that a special voting opportunity be established at Sunset Lodge, however voter turnout there was extremely low. Bylaw No. 3068 proposes to remove the mandated special voting opportunity at Sunset Lodge in favour of implementing mail ballot voting that will benefit all eligible voters, including residents of Sunset Lodge. These revisions are intended to expand voting opportunities so that as many people as p...
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