Good Isn't Good Enough: My Vote for Better Accessibility with Online Voting Option

Many Ontario municipalities have embraced online voting to boost accessibility and modernize their electoral process. In 2022, over half of Ontario's municipal elections (217 out of 417) offered some form of internet or telephone voting. Advantages include increased accessibility for seniors, those with disabilities, and people in rural and remote settings. However, the lack of provincial standards, reliance on private vendors, past system failures, and audit challenges means security and transparency concerns persist for some. Public sentiment remains mixed—some appreciate convenience, while others voice caution.

In our committee meeting, the motion to adopt online voting lost on a 4-4 tie. Council also defeated this transition in a 9-5 vote, deciding not to use online voting in the next election. I was one of the 5 that supported a move to online voting. I listened to the concerns raised by some Councillors and asked questions to staff and our clerk for clarification. In the end, I voted to support online voting. My comments at council are below:

"I went through COVID as an Principal. I went through online learning. I was part of the greatest acceleration in technical learning for educators and students ever. Were there issues? Yes, we had security breaches and we got through them. There were challenges and we overcame them.

Now five years later, I think the system is mature enough, hardy enough to deal with the concerns raised here today. As our council representative that sits on the Accessibility Committee for People with Disabilities, I will be voting today for greater accessibility. I heard today from some that accessibility is good enough (with current voting), but I always told my students, 'Good is the enemy of great.' The status quo is good, but striving for better accessibility is great, and I am working for great, not just good."

With that stated, I voted for online voting because I believe it will improve accessibility for seniors with transportation challenges, for those with disabilities and mobility issues, for those living a long drive from a polling station, and for families with small children that would need to be tagging along to just to stand in a long line-up.  

Let me know your thoughts, I am open to further dialogue if you care to share your point of view. Please send me your comments for review!

Thanks,

Cllr Mark T