Huron-Kinloss council

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Despite concerns that seniors in Lucknow will be at a disadvantage, Huron-Kinloss council is forging ahead with its E-voting process for the Oct. 25 municipal election.

At the June council meeting, staff noted a letter from a resident concerned about the proposed method of voting electronically.

The letter writer states she does not have a computer in her home and would not know how to use it if she did. "There are several senior citizens in our area in the same situation. We, the seniors of the community have helped to make this area what it is today, and you are taking away some of the simple privileges we should have."

She writes that ever since amalgamation, Lucknow has been neglected, compared to other parts of the township. "Now, if we want to vote and don't have a computer, we have to go to Ripley. Many seniors in town do not drive and would have to pay someone to take them to Ripley. If you have to go to electronic voting, please have at least one regular polling station in Lucknow whee we can cast our vote in the usual manner."

In a letter of reply, clerk/returning officer Sonya Watson explained that the electorate can vote by Internet or telephone with the E-voting process. Therefore, by using the telephone option, there is no need to drive to Ripley to exercise their right to vote.

"Your vote can be exercised, over an eight-day period, by way of a 1-800 number, following simple instructions with the push of a button," writes Watson. "Should a resident wish to vote by Internet but does not have an Internet connection in his/her home, free access will be provided at the Lucknow and Ripley libraries. Special measures will be taken by the returning officer for each of the homes-for-the-aged in the area to ensure they are able to vote in a secure and effective manner during the eight-day period."

Watson also notes that a voting place will be established at the municipal office in Ripley to assist anyone having difficulty voting from home.

Councillor Anne Eadie said council needs to guarantee that people can go to the library in Lucknow or somewhere else in the village to get help voting on Election Day.

"We'll have a voting place in Ripley on Election Day," said councillor Jim Hanna.

"We should guarantee one in Lucknow too," said Eadie. "This new procedure of voting will be difficult for older people. I said from the start that we need to help out the seniors so they can vote."

Watson said there is a lot of help for them. In fact, more than with any voting method, to date.

"We're asking the Bruce County Library for use of the Lucknow branch on Election Day," said Hanna, "but we can't guarantee it as of right now. There is a lot of assistance available, plus there will be help for residents in the seniors' centres."

"We still need someplace in Lucknow," argued Eadie.

"It's not just the computer and the Internet we're using," said councillor Don Murray. "Voters can use the phone too. But I understand the over-70 age group wants to go somewhere to vote."

"People are concerned about using the computer to vote, but once you tell them they can use the phone, they fine," said Hanna. "I realize it's change and people hate change. I think E-voting is a change for the better."

"As long as our senior citizens are going to be helped," said Eadie.

"We're checking into that (with the Bruce County Library)," said Watson.

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Saturday, July 03, 2010