By Pepper Parr
April 4, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Ontario will introduce changes to the Municipal Elections Act that would, if passed, modernize municipal elections and provide the option of using ranked ballots in future municipal elections.
Ontario consulted on potential changes to the Municipal Elections Act and received more than 3,400 submissions. Most submissions were from members of the public and supported giving municipalities the option of using ranked ballots in future elections, which would allow a voter to rank candidates in order of preference. The option to use ranked ballots would begin for the 2018 municipal elections.
Other proposed changes to the act would, if passed, increase transparency and accountability and make election rules clear and modern, by:
Shortening the campaign calendar by opening nominations for candidates on May
1 instead of January 1
Creating a framework to regulate third party advertising, including contribution and spending limits
Making campaign finance rules clearer and easier to follow for voters, candidates and contributors, including giving all municipalities the option to ban corporate and union donations
Removing barriers that could affect electors and candidates with disabilities
Making it easier to add or change information on the voters’ list
Ted McMeekin, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing said: “These proposals clarify the rules for voters and allow for more choice in how to run elections, including the option of using ranked ballots.
No Canadian jurisdiction currently uses ranked ballots. In Ontario there are 444 municipalities that will have to decide what they want to do.
Anyone interested in running for city council will want to see the regulations that will accompany the legislation.
Had there been ranked ballots in the last municipal election – only Blair Lancaster in ward 6 would have been at risk – she would probably have won.
The legislation will make significant changes to the way municipal elections are run – the shorter time frame will favour the incumbents.
