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RVC won't pursue mail-in ballots for upcoming election

Rocky View County (RVC) council has voted to not pursue mail-in ballots for the upcoming 2021 municipal election.
LN- Specialized Ballot web 1
Rocky View County council voted against using mail-in ballots for the 2021 municipal election. Photo by Metro Creative Connection

Rocky View County (RVC) council has voted to not pursue mail-in ballots for the upcoming 2021 municipal election.

At a regular meeting Nov. 24, the topic of ballot counting machines and specialized ballots – also known as mail-in ballots – came during council’s deliberations on a new Election Bylaw.

Karen Jiang with the Municipal Clerk’s Office said mail-in ballots are being used by eight municipalities in Alberta.

“Due to the possibility of safety protocols due to COVID-19, administration has identified the use of special ballots as a risk-response process to minimize the number of voters attending in-person on election day,” Jiang said.

While the County has previously used advanced voting during municipal elections, Jiang said it has never offered mail-in ballots. During the 2017 RVC election, advanced polling accounted for less than three percent of votes, Jiang said. She added mail-in ballots are different than advanced voting, which is why administration would need to be directed to pursue the specialized ballot route.

Administration also recommended adding ballot counting machines for the upcoming election as a cost-saving measure.

The recommendations accompanied a new Elections Bylaw, which established rules and addressed technical aspects of the upcoming municipal election in October 2021. The bylaw authorizes the County’s returning officer to fulfil a number of election duties, including counting advance votes in the evening of election day, designating more than one voting station in each division, collecting a nomination deposit and establishing County Hall as the only site for nominations, among other abilities.

While the bylaw received third and final reading unanimously, administration needed direction on how to proceed with specialized ballots. Coun. Kevin Hanson moved to direct administration to bring back amendments to authorize the use of special ballots by Dec. 31.

Deputy Reeve Kim McKylor spoke in support of the motion, saying these are “unique times.”

“In the past folks from the returning office have gone to people’s homes and that is simply not an option, at least with the information we have today,” she said. “There is nothing on the horizon that tells us the situation is going to change anytime soon. I do think we need to provide some flexibility.”

The majority of council disagreed, however. Coun. Greg Boehlke said he had concerns and would not support either the counting machines or the mail-in ballots.

“People can say I’m a wackjob if they wish – I could care less – but I think what we have seen in the United States should really lead us to pulling back on this,” he said. “Until this is somehow really secured, we need to really have a look at it. The vote counting machines are shown to be an absolute disaster.”

Coun. Crystal Kissel also expressed opposition to mail-in ballots.

“I think this is something that is very contentious, and we should just leave it alone for now,” she said.

Chief Administrative Officer Al Hoggan said one of the issues that will arise if the COVID-19 pandemic is still ongoing during the election would be shut-ins at seniors’ lodges.

“The problem is, if we are still where we are next year, we won’t be able to set up voting in those lodges,” he said. “If we can’t go into a seniors’ centre or a lodge, how do they get to vote?”

Boehlke said if it comes to that, provincial legislation will supersede anything the County does.

“If the sky falls all year long and it comes to next election that we still can’t have access to seniors’ homes, the province will come up with an alternative to the election process,” he said. “I urge that we stay away from special mail-in ballots and vote counting machines.”

Hanson’s motion ultimately failed 5-4, with only Couns. Samanntha Wright, Mark Kamachi, Hanson and McKylor in support.

Boehlke then made a motion arising that special ballots and vote counting machines not be pursued for the 2021 election. The motion passed 5-4, with Hanson, Mckylor, Wright and Kamachi opposed.

Jordan Stricker, AirdrieToday.com
Follow me on Twitter @Jay_Strickz



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