Participating municipalities encourage residents to prepare for online and telephone voting

The clerk at South-West Oxford Township provided the Echo with an explanation of its low voter turnout in the 2018 and 2022 elections. “We have six wards with one member of council representing each one and a mayor elected at large,” said Denny Giles. “The mayor has been acclaimed for the last three elections, so it’s only been based on ward votes.” He added in 2018 each councillor was acclaimed meaning there were no votes cast. The only votes taking place were for school board trustee positions. “In the 2022 election, the only ward having a race was Ward 1 so the voter turnout looks low,” he added. (Contributed Image)

Lee Griffi, Editor

“Your vote. Your choice. Your convenience.”

That’s the message from five Oxford County municipalities utilizing the same voting system for the upcoming municipal election.

The Town of Tillsonburg, Townships of Blandford-Blenheim, Zorra, South-West Oxford, and East Zorra-Tavistock, will each use secure internet and telephone voting from Oct. 13 to Oct. 26.

Eligible electors will be able to vote from anywhere using their own computer, tablet, smartphone, or telephone. The voting system will be available 24 hours a day throughout the voting period, providing residents with a convenient and accessible way to cast their ballot. Whether you're at home, at work, or travelling, you'll be able to securely cast your ballot during the voting period. Voting closes at 8 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 26.

Eligible electors will receive a Voter Information Letter (VIL) in the mail before voting begins. It will include your name and address, your unique voting PIN, and instructions on how to vote online or by telephone.

Your PIN is required to access the voting system and cast your ballot. If you do not receive your VIL, lose your PIN, or require assistance, you can contact your municipality's Voter Help Centre.

All residents are encouraged to confirm that they are on the Voters' List and that their information is correct before election day.

Do not assume you are already registered. If you are not on the Voters' List, you may still be eligible to vote. Election staff can help add eligible electors to the list or update voter information when required.

The Province of Ontario's 2026 Municipal Voters' Guide is also available online and provides information about voter eligibility, municipal elections, and the voting process.

Secure and Confidential Voting

The participating municipalities have partnered with Intelivote Systems Inc., a Canadian company specializing in municipal election technology, to deliver secure internet and telephone voting services.

The voting system allows eligible electors to vote online or by telephone, uses security safeguards and encryption to protect voter information, prevents multiple votes from being cast by the same elector, and is tested and monitored throughout the election period.

Most importantly, voter privacy is protected. Votes are anonymous, cannot be connected to an individual elector, and municipalities never see how a person voted.

For election information, voter resources, and important dates, visit your local municipality's website.