Online voting begins in Haldimand County on October 16. With that date approaching, I want to share some important information about protecting the privacy and security of your vote.

A recent article in The Haldimand Press raised concerns about candidates or campaign volunteers going door-to-door and offering residents a phone, tablet, or other device to cast their ballot.

The simplest advice is this: do not cast your ballot on a device supplied by a candidate, campaign volunteer, or political campaign.

Your vote should be cast privately, independently, and without a candidate or campaign representative standing nearby.

Protect Your Vote

When voting online:

• Vote privately. Take your time and cast your ballot without anyone watching or attempting to influence your decision.
• Protect your voting PIN. Your voter notification letter contains information needed to access your ballot. Do not provide it to a candidate or campaign volunteer.
• Use your own device whenever possible. Vote from your own computer, tablet, or smartphone in a place where you are comfortable and have privacy.
• Do not feel pressured to vote at the door. If a candidate or volunteer is canvassing your home, there is absolutely no reason you need to cast your ballot while they are there.
• Be cautious of unsolicited voting assistance. Candidates and campaign volunteers are not election officials.
• Contact Haldimand County if you need assistance. The County has specifically advised residents who require help voting to contact the Clerk’s Department to discuss available accommodations.
• Report concerning behaviour. If someone attempts to interfere with, influence, or determine how you are voting, contact Haldimand County election officials.

What the Law Says

Ontario’s Municipal Elections Act contains protections intended to preserve the secrecy and independence of your vote.

The Act prohibits interfering or attempting to interfere with an elector who is marking their ballot. It also prohibits attempts at a voting place to obtain information about how an elector intends to vote or has voted.

Haldimand County has confirmed to The Haldimand Press that attempting to influence the vote of an elector is contrary to the Municipal Elections Act and that appropriate enforcement steps will be taken if a violation occurs.

Norfolk County has gone further and issued specific instructions to its candidates that candidates, campaign teams, and anyone acting on their behalf must not go door-to-door and facilitate online voting using their own devices.

My Campaign

Neither I nor anyone acting on behalf of my campaign will provide residents with a device to cast their ballot or attempt to assist residents with completing their vote.

Our job ends when voting begins.

If we are at your door, we are there to speak with you, answer questions, and provide information. When it comes time to cast your ballot, we will leave you to make that decision privately.

Online Voting Begins October 16

Online voting in Haldimand County runs from Friday, October 16 at 9 a.m. until Sunday, October 25 at 5 p.m.

You can vote using a computer, tablet, or smartphone. You will need the voting PIN contained in your voter notification letter and your date of birth.

Advance in-person voting is also available from October 17 through October 21, and Election Day is Monday, October 26, with polls open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

However you choose to vote, protect your PIN, protect your privacy, and cast your ballot on your own terms.

Your vote belongs to you.

More information on how to vote and voting times/locations is available by clicking here.