Press Release - City of Guelph Invites You to Learn to Vote Online

Despite my personal opinion about the somewhat audacious idea of bringing online voting to the hometown of the robocall, the City of Guelph is moving full steam ahead with it in this year's municipal election. If you're at all interested in learning more about the nuts and bolts of the computer-assisted democracy, then city hall is having a tutorial next week and you're invited to bring your favourite device along to see how it's all going to work.

Here's the city press release: 

The 2014 Municipal Election is just over two months away but eligible voters who would like a hands-on demonstration of the internet voting system are invited to attend a presentation on September 3.

“Online voting isn’t new to some Ontario municipalities but it is for Guelph. We have worked closely with our vendor to ensure the platform functions properly. This presentation will help assure the public of the voting process through a hands-on mock vote,” says Stephen O’Brien, City Clerk.

“The biggest advantage to online voting for residents is access. Electors can access the online voting platform from home, work or on the go through their mobile device. It only takes a few minutes and can be done anywhere you have access to the internet, at any time of the day.”

City staff will be joined by Dr. Nicole Goodman, Research Director, Centre for e-Democracy Assistant Professor, Munk School of Global Affairs, University of Toronto for a presentation on alternative voting processes in place across the province, highlighting the benefits of the online voting process. Following a demonstration of the internet voting system, residents will be provided mock voter profiles which can be used to vote for mock candidates in the demo election.

The online voting presentation will be held in Council Chambers, City Hall on Tuesday, September 3 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Residents wishing to attend are asked to bring their own personal devise – laptop, smartphone or tablet. A limited number of computers will also be available for those without a mobile device.

For more information on the 2014 Municipal Election, visit guelph.ca/vote.