Slide Deck: The Voting Process (Municipal Elections)

Is voting in elections important? Why or why not? 2

Voter Criteria – Municipal Elections You are a Canadian citizen; You are at least 18 years of age on election day; You are qualified to vote in the municipality. Options include: If you live in the municipality You do not live there but you own or rent property in the municipality, or You are the spouse of someone who owns or rents property. This means that if you own property in more than one municipality, you can vote in each place.

Who organizes municipal elections? Each municipality is responsible for conducting the election for their municipal council, along with the school boards within their jurisdiction. This includes determining the voting method, such as online voting, voting by mail, voting by phone, paper ballots or a combination of these methods. However, the provincial government still sets out common rules that all voters and candidates must follow.

What is the Voters’ List? A voter’s name must be on the voters’ list in order to cast a ballot. While a voter’s name can be added on voting day, it is helpful to do this in advance. In some municipalities, being on the voters’ list ensures they receive a voter information card, which indicates where and when to vote.

What do I need in order to vote? When a voter arrives at a voting place, they must show identification to prove that they are the person whose name appears on the voters’ list. The identification must show their name and address. Photo identification is not required.

What is the voting process? Once you confirm your identity, you are given a ballot. Go behind a voting screen and mark your ballot. Hand your ballot back to the poll clerk to check that it is a verified ballot. Once the poll clerk gives you back the ballot, you can put it in the ballot box. Your ballot is recorded and counted. Done!

How do I mark my ballot? The ballot lists the names of the candidates running in each race in the municipality (i.e., head of council, council members, regional councillor, school trustee). In a ward system, you can only vote in the ward where you live. You can only vote for one type of school board trustee (English public, English catholic, French public, French Catholic). In First-Past‑the‑Post elections (not ranked ballot elections), voters are allowed to mark their choice for as many candidates as are elected in the race. Examples: One mayor is elected, so you can only choose one candidate If four council members are elected at-large or for one ward, you can choose four candidates

Sample ballot

Rejected and Declined Ballots A rejected ballot is a ballot that cannot be counted because the voter’s choice is not clear. (For example, if you try to vote for more than the number of candidates you are allowed to choose.) Voters can also decline their ballot. To decline their ballot, voters must inform the election official that they are declining their right to vote when they receive their ballot. This is a public process and it is done out loud.

What does voting by secret ballot mean?

What would be the consequences if voting choices were made public? Voting in elections is done by secret ballot, which means that only the voter knows their choice. What would be the consequences if voting choices were made public?

Which method does your municipality use to conduct elections? Where can you find this information?

Final Thoughts Do you think voting is easy? Do you feel ready to vote in the Student Vote election? Why or why not? How does your municipality conduct elections? Where can you find this information? How does voting in municipal elections differ from federal or provincial elections?