Election methods decided for 2026

Amherstburg Municipal Building.

When voters go to the polls for the 2026 municipal election, they will be voting the same way they did in 2022.

Town council agreed with keeping traditional in-person voting with electronic tabulators and not put the issue of a ward system back on the ballot. Clerk Kevin Fox noted a post-election survey showed 78 per cent of people liked the in-person voting system with electronic tabulators.

Fox asked for a decision as quickly as possible, to ensure the Town of Amherstburg could procure the necessary equipment.

Linda Saxon was a delegate, and called for public consultation on the matter. She said in-person voting is the least accessible voting method and online voting increases independence. She said in-person is the most costly option, adding those with disabilities deserve to be consulted.

Councillor Diane Pouget said there was a poor turnout in the 2022 election and wondered if the matter could be deferred pending more consultation. Fox said a bylaw needs to be passed prior to May 1, 2026, but resources need to be secured as quickly as possible. He noted about two dozen homes were served in their homes due to accessibility needs, with the Municipal Elections Act requires municipalities to present safe and accessible elections.

Consultation would take place after town council provides direction on what election method is chosen, Fox said.

Deputy Mayor Chris Gibb asked about how many people were gi

ven in-home supports, adding that Amherstburg Community Services helped with accessible transportation to the polls in 2022. Fox added they hope to have a similar partnership in 2026, and that other providers could also be explored to ensure people have a safe way to get to the polls.

Councillor Linden Crain said he was “leery” of going with online or voting by mail, citing cybersecurity and ensuring the registered voter is actually voting among his concerns. He believed the in-person method should be continued.

“I think the system we have is working well,” he said. 

Pouget said she would like a hybrid option with in-person and online methods. 

“We had such a poor turnout and many people with disabilities were not able to attend because of that,” she said. 

Councillor Don McArthur agreed with Pouget. He said voting at the polls is “democracy in action” but acknowledged it is harder for some to get to the polling stations than others.

“It’s not 1920 anymore. We do have computers and secured networks,” said McArthur. “LaSalle is proving (online) can be done.”McArthur said he wants to keep in-person voting but a hybrid model could increase turnout. People could be unduly influenced if voting online but the benefit of greater participation is a greater benefit.

Gibb said he wanted to stick with in-person voting. He said “you can’t get more accessible than that” in response to learning of the in-home voting, stating accessibility options have been addressed. He added the transportation options provided in the past by ACS.

Gibb said there are issues with people trusting government, and said in-person was an efficient way to vote.

Councillor Molly Allaire liked in-person voting, noting she worked at Seasons and voting in-person gave residents a sense of independence. Allaire said online voters could be influenced if others are looking over their shoulders.

“To be honest, (in-person) is the successful way to trust the whole process,” she said.

Councillor Peter Courtney said he agreed with Gibb, stating it is “kind of a hybrid option already” with the in-home option for people with accessibility needs.

“I think we’re covering the bases there,” he said.

Mayor Michael Prue said he has been through many elections with a variety of methods. He believed the many in the public are skeptical with online voting and the ability for recounts. 

“I’m a little nervous about going with the computer system until I get a little more safeguards than I saw in the report,” he said.

Council voted 5-2 to keep the in-person only method, with McArthur and Pouget opposed.

Council also voted 6-1 against a Prue motion to hire a consultant to study a ward system for future elections. The mayor wanted to have a consultant look at a system with a mayor, deputy mayor and five wards with one councillor each.

Prue believed ward systems are becoming the way to go.

“It’s important to have a local person you can hold accountable,” he said, adding residents could still contact other council members if they believed their ward representative was unresponsive.

McArthur believed the at large system was best, noting that has been his position for several years. It may be a marginal improvement, but he believed at large to be the better option.

Noting the 2022 ballot question passed with 50.38 per cent favouring a ward system and 49.62 per cent opposed, Courtney and Allaire believed town council acted too late on the matter. Fox’s report pointed out because voter turnout was not 50 per cent, the result was not legally binding.

Crain questioned how a ward system would provide improvements over an at-large system, with Pouget adding she also prefers the at-large system.

“A large majority of people who contact me live in the county. I represent them just as much as I represent someone next to my home,” she said.

Allaire wondered about getting a report about putting the question back on the 2026 ballot, with a better explanation of a ward system method but that was defeated as opponents cited the voting results would likely be the same as 2022.

Election methods decided for 2026

By Ron Giofu