When it comes time for Saskatoon citizens to choose their mayor and councillors in 2016, they probably won’t be able to do so on their laptops, tablets or smartphones. Internet voting – which has become increasingly common in municipal elections across Canada – is unlikely to make a debut in any Saskatchewan cities or rural municipalities by the next election. “We’re looking down the road (from 2016),” said Rod Nasewich, legislation and regulations director for the provincial ministry of government relations. Before Internet voting or Internet voting pilot projects are permitted in the province, Saskatchewan’s Local Government Elections Act would have to be amended. Nasewich said such changes are not being pursued because “There hasn’t been a lot of widespread lobbying or support from the municipal sector for that.”
Half of Saskatoon city councillors say Internet voting is worth researching. Councillors Darren Hill and Tiffany Paulsen have not ruled out making a motion to do exactly that.
“We should certainly look into it, encourage anything that will increase participation in the democratic process in Saskatoon’s municipal elections,” Hill said. “I also see it as a way to encourage more members of the younger generation to get involved in the municipal election process.”
Other councillors and the mayor say it’s not a priority and there are other, more effective ways of driving up voter turnout.
Full Article: Online voting unlikely in next Saskatchewan civic elections.