Even though municipal elections are still three years away, the Town of Kap’s Clerk is looking at changing the voting system. Chantal Guillemette says the current tabulator program is old technology from the 1990s and believes that online-voting is the way to go.
“People could probably vote from the comfort of their own homes, but we will have to send a voter information card out to every eligible elector in Kapuskasing,” she said. “That will also help with promotion and advertising of the municipal elections.”
The online voting system comes with a hefty price tag of over $30,000 but Guillemette says the platform can also offer computer and touch screen access for in person voting.
She adds that it may also help improve turnout. During the 2022 Municipal Election, Kapuskasing was just four points shy of the provincial average of 32 per cent.
Guillemette says the current system is problematic for town staff and voters.
“It also did not allow us to enlarge fonts, change up the format of the ballot,” she said. “And we have heard the complaint many times in previous elections that the font is small and harder to read and mark your ballot.”
Here is the complete interview with Chantal Guillemette:
