While election day in Ottawa is still days away, voting has begun in Perth, Ont. where residents are casting ballots online and over the phone. The town an hour south of Ottawa made the switch away from paper ballots in 2006 and says the change has increased voter turnout, allowing residents to cast votes from the comfort of their own home. “It does provide for additional accessibility for residents of the town,” says Amanda Noel, director of legislative services and clerk for the Town of Perth. “Instead of having to come into town hall to vote, you can simply use the phone to call in your vote, going through the steps provided, or over the internet.” To vote online, eligible voters are mailed a personalized pin code. When they log onto the provided election website, they enter their date of birth and provided code to cast their ballot. Perth isn’t the only community moving forward with a digital ballot box. According to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, 272 municipalities, or 66 percent, are using online voting this year in combination with other voting methods. A total of 174 municipalities, or 43 percent, are using internet and telephone voting. Just 87 municipalities in Ontario, or 21 percent, are still using the traditional paper-only ballot. The City of Ottawa has previously said it will not be moving towards internet or telephone voting this election, citing concerns around digital security, barriers to internet connectivity, the inability for recounts, and the quality of the voters’ list. But in a community such as Perth, home to an aging population, not all voters are sold on these modern methods. “I don’t know, I just don’t think it’s a very secure set up. I’m not impressed anyway with it,” said Perth resident Donna Moodie. “I’m fairly computer illiterate,” admits resident Ben Willis. “I have a laptop, but I don’t even know how to use the damn thing.” During the voting period from October 19 to 26, the Town of Perth has set up a voters help centre, where residents can attend for assistance casting their vote. “We do have kiosks set up for residents,” says Noel. “So, if they come in and they don’t have a voter information letter or need assistance with voting, or simply just need a computer or a telephone to vote, we provide all of those services for residents.” Other residents are embracing the new ways to decide the future of their communities. “I think the technology is good. I think we should be able to get a secure pin, much like you do with the banking system, and as long as we can make it secure, then I’m all for it,” said Perth resident Philip Clement. “I do think it allows for more accessibility,” adds resident Melissa Payne. “Whatever’s going to help people vote, that feels important to me.”
