New Wards for the 2022 Municipal Election
There is a new ward structure for the 2022 municipal election. Click here to view the interactive ward boundaries map, where you can enter your address to see which ward you are in.
Who can vote in a Municipal Election?
Am I eligible to vote?
You are eligible to vote if
you, or your spouse or same sex partner, live, own or rent property in BWG You also must be a
Canadian citizen, at least 18 years old and not prohibited from voting under
subsection 17 (3) of the Municipal
Elections Act, 1996 (see below).
Everyone who is on the voters' list will receive a voter information letter in the mail in the fall (end of September/early October) with the information you need to vote.
Who is NOT allowed to vote?
A person who is serving a sentence of imprisonment in a penal or correctional institution cannot vote.
A corporation is not entitled to a vote.
A person acting as executor or trustee in any other representative capacity cannot vote, except as a voting proxy in accordance with section 44 of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996.
A person who was convicted of a corrupt practice described in subsection 90 (3), of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, cannot vote if voting day in the current election is less than five years after voting day in the election in respect of which he or she was convicted.
Can I vote for candidates in wards other than the one I live in?
No. If you live in BWG, you must vote for a candidate representing the ward you live in. This information will be contained in the voting system - whether you vote online or by phone - and it will only permit you to vote for a candidate running for Councillor of your home ward.
If I own more than one property in BWG can I vote more than once?
No, each person is entitled to only one vote, no matter how many properties they own in BWG. If you DON'T live in BWG but DO own property here, you may vote for a Councillor candidate representing the ward where your property is located. If you own more than one property, you must choose only one ward to vote for. You should also make sure that you are on the voters' list for that qualifying address. Non-resident electors are not eligible to vote for a School Board Trustee candidate.
When, where and how do I vote?
When do I vote?
You may place your vote by internet or telephone ANY TIME between October 14 at 10:00 a.m. and October 24 at 8:00 p.m. Both the internet and telephone systems are available 24 hours a day throughout this period.
Where and how do I vote?
All votes must be cast using either the internet or touch-tone telephone. You do not need to leave your home or office to vote - simply place your vote online from any location using your computer, tablet, or smartphone with an internet connection, or using any touch-tone telephone.
There will be NO PAPER BALLOTS used in the 2022 Election.
If you require assistance to vote, or would like to vote by internet and do not have access at home, you can visit a Voter Help Centre - see below for locations and times.
How do I vote?
- Your name must be on the
voters’ list in order for you to cast a ballot. Check the voters' list or register to vote HERE. Please refer to section below titled “Voters’
list information” for more detailed instructions on how to ensure your name is
added.
- Receive your voter information letter in the mail, and double-check that all of the information on it is correct, including your name, address, and school board that you support. The letter will provide a number to call if any of this information is incorrect.
- Review the instructions in the letter, which will include the website address and telephone number that you can use to access the voting system and a unique code (PIN) to access the system. Voters will be required to enter specific information to confirm their identity.
- At any time during the voting period, go to the website address or call the telephone number provided and follow the prompts to cast your vote for Mayor, Deputy Mayor, the Councillor for your ward, and the Trustee for the school board that you support.
- If you lose your internet or telephone connection at any time, call again or go back to the website and it should allow you to pick up where you left off.
Do voters have to be tech-savvy or need special programs to vote online?
No, you don't need special internet skills or special software to cast your vote online. Access to the internet is all you need to cast your vote online from any computer, smart phone or tablet. The system is intuitive and easy to use. Once you have received your voter information letter, go to the website, and you'll be guided through the process of casting your vote.
You can also use the telephone to cast your ballot. When you receive your voter information letter, you will be provided with a telephone number. Call the telephone number and follow the prompts to cast your ballot.
Click here to watch the voter's introduction video on using the Simply Voting internet & telephone voting system for Ontario municipal elections.
What if I need more information or help?
What do I do if have questions or want to see the system in advance?
Before and during the Voting Period, you can get help in a variety of ways:
visit the Town Administration Office at 100 Dissette St., Units 7&8, open Monday-Friday, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm;
call the BWG Votes Hotline at 905-775-5366 ext. 8683 (VOTE);
email vote@townofbwg.com ;
use the live chat feature to ask a question (see the pop-up box at the bottom of this page).
You can also view the 2022 Voters' Guide here.
Where can I go to get in-person help?
Voter Help Centres will be set up with voting stations for anyone who wishes to come to one of these locations to place their vote via the internet.
BWG Library Voter Help Centre
425 Holland St. W (Zima Room)
Saturday, October 15, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Monday, October 17 - Friday, October 21, 5:00 - 8:00 pm
Saturday, October 22, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Monday, October 24, 10:00 am - 8:00 pm
Town Administration Office Voter Help Centre
100 Dissette St., Units 7&8:
Mobile Voter Help Centres will be established at certain institutional and multi-residential buildings for residents of those facilities. Locations, dates and times are to be determined.
Voters’ List information
Where can electors go to add their name or check if they are on the Voters' List?
Only electors on the Voter's List will receive a voter information letter which will provide instructions on how to vote.
After September 1, you must apply to your municipal clerk if you want to add your name to the list or correct your information. You have until the close of voting on October 24 to apply for any changes.
If you are applying to add your name to the voters' list, you will be asked to provide proof that you are eligible to vote.
Are you on the voter's list? Check the voters' list or register to vote HERE.
How do I remove a name from the Voters' List?
The voters' list is a public document. If you do not want your name to appear on the voters' list you can apply to the clerk's office to have your name removed. If you remove your name from the list, you will not be able to vote.
You can also apply to the clerk's office to remove the name of someone who is deceased. You cannot ask for someone else's name to be removed from the list for any other reason.
The Clerks office can be reached at vote@townofbwg.com or Phone: 905-7 75-5366 ext. 8683 (VOTE).
More Frequently Asked Questions
Will you be hiring staff to help with voting?
If required, the Town will recruit Election Officials for the 2022 municipal election and applications will be posted to our website when available.
Will there be an advance voting period?
There is no longer a set voting day or advance voting period. Voters may cast their ballots by phone or online any time between October 14 at 10:00 am and October 24 at 8:00 pm
Is proxy voting still allowed?
No, proxy voting (which is when an eligible voter designates another eligible voter to vote on their behalf if they are unable to do so themselves) will not be permitted in the 2022 municipal election. Eligible voters can place their vote using the internet from anywhere in the world, or using a touch-tone telephone from anywhere in North America toll-free.
When, where, and how do I find out who the candidates are?
As candidates are nominated, they will be added to the list of unofficial candidates under the Notices section, found on the main election page. After the nomination period closes on August 19, the nominations will be certified by the Clerk. Once this process is complete, the list of certified candidates will be available on this website under the Notices section.
Have the wards changed?
Yes, the wards have changed for the 2022 municipal election. Click here to view the interactive ward boundaries map, where you can enter your address to see which ward you are in.
I have some concerns about online voter privacy. Is online voting secure?
It is very secure. Electors are authenticated by their Voter PIN, which cannot be linked back to the identity of the elector. A sealed voter information letter containing the voter's PIN are sent by first class mail. No one except the Clerk or designated Election Officials can access the information that match each elector's name and address.
Feel free to contact the election staff for more information regarding the security measures in place for the 2022 municipal election.
Will free transit be provided for voters?
Because voting can now take place from any location, free transit will not be provided for voting purposes.
