By Tina Comeau
THE VANGUARD
NovaNewsNow.com
Yarmouth Town Council approved first reading of a elections bylaw at its meeting last week to proceed with electronic voting over the Internet in the upcoming October municipal and school board election, with telephone voting also available to those who cast their vote.
The motion also calls for no paper ballots in the election, although Deputy Mayor Byron Boudreau expressed concerned about this at the Feb. 9 meeting.
“I have talked to people who have told me if there is no paper ballot they’re not going to vote,” Boudreau told council.
The town is moving forward with electronic and telephone voting for a number of reasons: convenience and accessibility for voters, less cost associated with running an election, faster results and higher voter turnout, being among the reasons.
As opposed to dozens of polling stations having to be set up throughout the town there will only be one polling station at the town hall.
Voters will be able to vote from the convenience of their home or elsewhere.
Boudreau had asked whether you could have electronic and telephone voting but still have a paper ballot. However it was stated at the council meeting that this would defeat the goal of saving costs.
The town says there will be information made available to the public about electronic and telephone voting in advance of the fall vote. And at the one polling station at the town hall there will be people available to help voters if they are having trouble with the computer or telephone voting, just as assistance was available to people when they voted with a paper ballot.
Councillor Neil MacKenzie said another great benefit to electronic and telephone voting is it eliminates spoiled ballots. MacKenzie said in past elections voters may have wanted to cast their vote but if their intentions were not clear on their ballot, then their ballot was spoiled and their vote didn’t count. Through this method of voting, everyone’s vote counts because there is no question over a voter’s intentions.
As for people not voting if there are no paper ballots, Mayor Phil Mooney said in all areas where electronic and telephone voting has been used the voter turnout has been higher.
The second reading, and possible approval of the elections bylaw, will take place at council's March 8 meeting.
