Municipal Voting Technology in Canada
Across Canada, the administration of municipal elections is characterized by a decentralized approach. While some provinces mandate specific standards, individual municipalities often have the autonomy to select their own voting machines and standards. This flexibility has led to a diverse landscape of electoral technology, ranging from traditional paper ballots to advanced Internet voting—the process of casting a vote electronically via the web.
In provinces like Ontario and Nova Scotia, city councils have the authority to approve the use of online voting systems to increase accessibility and convenience for their residents.
Key Facts
- Ontario has seen a significant rise in online voting, with over 150 municipalities using it primarily in 2018.
- Quebec has maintained a moratorium on electronic voting in municipal elections since 2006 following a critical report on the 2005 elections.
- Nova Scotia has integrated internet and telephone voting across various communities since at least 2008.
- Alberta does not support online voting for municipal elections as of 2013.
- Technology types used across provinces include optical scanning, touch-screen machines (Direct Recording Electronics), and web-based portals.
Provincial Implementations and Trends
Ontario
Ontario has been a primary adopter of electronic voting. In 2018, over 150 municipalities shifted primarily to online systems, contracting firms such as Intelivote Systems, Dominion Voting Systems, and Simply Voting Inc. However, this transition has not been without challenges. On election day in 2018, 51 municipalities using Dominion Voting Systems experienced a technical failure caused by a colocation centre (a third-party data center) that capped internet connections. This outage forced cities like Greater Sudbury, Waterloo, Prince Edward County, and Pembroke to extend voting by up to 24 hours.
Earlier adoptions also faced hurdles. In 2010, Arnprior extended voting by 24 hours due to server hardware failure under high load, and Huntsville dealt with errors in the mailing of voter PINs. Despite these issues, some cities have moved toward fully digital models; for example, Leamington and Coburg offered only internet and telephone voting (no paper ballots) in 2014.
Beyond the internet, Ontario cities have utilized various hardware. St. Catharines has used optical scan technology (machines that read marked paper ballots) since 1988. Touch-screen machines have been deployed in Toronto, Vaughan, Brantford, Oakville, and Mississauga to assist voters, including those with visual impairments via audio ballots.
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia has steadily increased its use of internet voting. By 2016, 20 communities utilized the method through contractors Scytl and Intelivote Systems. Notably, the community of Digby (population ~2,000) eliminated paper ballots entirely in 2012 and 2016, offering only internet and telephone options.
The adoption has seen mixed results regarding participation. In Halifax, combined internet and telephone turnout dropped by more than 10,000 voters in 2016 compared to 2012. Earlier, in 2008, Halifax residents used a secure system requiring a unique PIN and date of birth for identification.
Other Provinces
In British Columbia, Vancouver partnered with Dominion Voting Systems on January 1, 2018, for software, tabulation, and related services. In New Brunswick, Saint John employed optical scanning machines during its 2004 municipal election.
Conversely, Alberta has remained cautious; as of 2013, it does not support online municipal voting, though Edmonton provided touch-screen machines for advance voting back in 2004.
Quebec presents a stark contrast to Ontario. After the 2005 municipal elections were marred by numerous problems, the Quebec Chief Electoral Officer issued a highly critical report. This led to a total ban on electronic voting in municipal elections starting in 2006.
Summary of Municipal Voting Adoption
| Province | Key Technologies Used | Notable Status/Trend |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario | Internet, Optical Scan, Touch-screen | High adoption; some cities eliminated paper ballots. |
| Nova Scotia | Internet, Telephone | Steady growth; Digby used no paper ballots in 2012/2016. |
| Quebec | Electronic (formerly) | Moratorium in place since 2006. |
| Alberta | Touch-screen (limited) | No support for online voting as of 2013. |
| British Columbia | Tabulation Software | Vancouver uses Dominion Voting Systems (2018). |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which provinces allow municipal internet voting?
Ontario and Nova Scotia permit municipal internet voting, provided it is approved by the individual city councils.
Why does Quebec not use electronic voting in municipal elections?
Following significant problems during the 2005 elections and a critical report from the Quebec Chief Electoral Officer, a moratorium on electronic voting was established in 2006.
What caused the 2018 voting outage in Ontario?
The outage affected 51 municipalities using Dominion Voting Systems. It was caused by a subcontracted colocation centre that capped internet connections without authorization, preventing voters from accessing servers between 5:00 and 7:30 p.m.
Have any Canadian municipalities completely removed paper ballots?
Yes. Digby, Nova Scotia, offered only internet and telephone voting in 2012 and 2016. In Ontario, Leamington and Coburg also provided only internet and telephone options during their 2014 elections.
What is the difference between optical scan and touch-screen voting?
Optical scan machines read physical paper ballots that have been marked by the voter. Touch-screen machines, or Direct Recording Electronics, allow voters to cast their vote directly on a screen, often providing audio assistance for the visually impaired.