Item - 2013.EX33.4
Tracking Status
- City Council adopted this item on July 16, 2013 without amendments and without debate.
- This item was considered by the Executive Committee on July 3, 2013 and adopted without amendment. It will be considered by City Council on July 16, 2013.
- See also By-laws 1107-2013, 1108-2013
EX33.4 - 2014 Election Advance Vote and Voting Hours By-law
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Adopted on Consent
- Wards:
- All
City Council Decision
City Council on July 16, 17, 18 and 19, 2013, adopted the following:
1. City Council:
a. authorize the dates and hours of advance voting for the 2014 election as Tuesday, October 14, 2014 to Sunday, October 19, 2014, inclusive, from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.; and
b. pass a by-law substantially in the form of the draft bill attached as Appendix "A" of the report (June 18, 2013) from the City Clerk.
Background Information (Committee)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2013/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-59641.pdf
EX33.4 - 2014 Election Advance Vote and Voting Hours By-law
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Adopted
- Wards:
- All
Committee Recommendations
The Executive Committee recommends that:
1. City Council authorize the dates and hours of advance voting for the 2014 election as follows:
a. Tuesday, October 14, 2014 to Sunday, October 19, 2014, inclusive, from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
b. Pass a by-law substantially in the form of the draft bill attached as Appendix "A" of the report (June 18, 2013) from the City Clerk.
Origin
Summary
The Municipal Elections Act, 1996 ("MEA") provides Council with the authority to pass certain election by-laws, including the establishment of the dates and hours for the advance vote and voting hours on election day.
This report recommends that Council pass a by-law to establish the dates and hours for the advance vote. This is a mandatory by-law that Council must pass before each election and by-election. A copy of the proposed bill is attached in Appendix "A" to this report.
There are significant legal and practical limitations when determining the beginning and end of the advance vote period, as well as the dates and hours. The Clerk must have adequate time between the end of advance vote and election day to update, verify, format, print and distribute the voters' list to all 1,500+ voting places on election day. The Clerk must also have sufficient time between the end of nomination day and the beginning of the advance vote to produce and test 220 different ballot styles on the voting equipment. Finally, the Clerk must schedule reasonable days and hours to avoid the risk of voting place worker fatigue, resulting in increased administrative errors.
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2013/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-59641.pdf
Speakers
Councillor Adam Vaughan