Association of Manitoba Municipalities wanting online voting available in Manitoba
Voters in Winnipeg can start placing their mark on a ballot as advance voting is underway.
But unlike several civic elections in the province next door, voters here will be showing up in person.
With the exception of those using a mail-in ballot, most people making their choice for mayor, councillor, and school trustee have to physically attend a polling station.
This is not necessarily the case in several Ontario communities.
Of the 414 civic elections this year in Ontario, 217 will have voting online, on the phone or a combination of both options. That’s up from 175 in 2018.
Denys Volkov with the Association of Manitoba Municipalities says it, along with the Manitoba School Boards Association, has been lobbying the Province of Manitoba to make changes in legislation, that would allow for online voting, or at the very least a trial to test the technology.
“That would make it easier for everybody, for election staff, for voters, and also for candidates,” said Volkov.
Winnipeg’s Senior Election Official Marc Lemoine says if legislation allowed for this, the city would likely be an early adopter of the technology.
“Certainly we’re going to take advantage of every type of opportunity to make things easier to vote for citizens,” said Lemoine.
A 2017 federal report says the benefits of E-voting include convenience, a modest increase in voter turnout, fewer ballot errors, and increased efficiency. The downsides include barriers for those who aren’t tech literate, possibilities for fraud, coercion, and security threats, and issues around ballot secrecy.
Aleksander Essex is an associate professor of software engineering at Western University who studies the issue.
“We are finding things that are not ideal in terms of third-party internet providers or even the company themselves, knowing how you voted,” said Essex.
It appears the province is not looking at making any changes. In a statement, a provincial spokesperson says through the current system, checks are made by trained election officials confirming voter identity.
“A sealed and private ballot process has proven over time to be effective in ensuring fair and secure election processes.”
At the provincial election level, Elections Manitoba tells CTV News, it monitors what's happening with online voting in other jurisdictions, but it is not working on this for provincial elections.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Ontario to ban use of cellphones in school classrooms starting in September
Ontario is introducing a suite of measures that will crack down on cellphone use and vaping in schools.
'Do not consume': Gift Chocolate recalled due to undeclared milk, soy
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has issued a recall for a specific chocolate brand sold in Ontario and Quebec.
Kitchener family says their 10-year-old needs life-saving drug that cost $600,000
Raneem, 10, lives with a neurological condition and liver disease and needs Cholbam, a medication, for a longer and healthier life.
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
Murder charge laid after man falls to death from Toronto apartment balcony
One person has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with the death of a man who fell from a balcony following an altercation inside a Toronto apartment building.
Dozens in Italy give a fascist salute on the anniversary of Mussolini's execution
Dozens of people raised their arms in the fascist salute and shouted a fascist chant during ceremonies Sunday to honor Italian dictator Benito Mussolini on the 79th anniversary of his execution.
Japan's ruling party loses all 3 seats in special vote, seen as punishment for corruption scandal
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's governing party, stung by an extensive slush funds scandal, appeared to have lost all three seats in Sunday's parliamentary byelections, according to media exit polls and preliminary results.
Zendaya tennis movie ‘Challengers’ scores at weekend box office
Zendaya and castmates Mike Faist and Josh O’Connor have been on a globetrotting press tour to get the word out about Italian director Luca Guadagnino's original film, which opened in 3,477 locations in the U.S. and Canada.
Quebec to invest $603 million to protect the French language
Quebec will invest $603 million over five years to counter the decline of French in the province, French Language Minister Jean-Francois Roberge announced Sunday.