Comments on the ‘Mail-in Ballot System’

Letter from Peter Davenport September 1 2010
I agree that this is a positive step in encouraging voter participation.
We have seen ‘voter turn-out’ decline at all levels of government.
With the focus on a set voting date, and a ‘logistics problem’ for some
voters, in firstly, of perhaps not being aware of set advance poll dates
then also having to deal with voting in a ‘home municipality’ – and
having to cast a ‘separate municipal vote’, for the cottage property.
The observation I am making though, is that this takes away a bit of the
anonymity ‘enjoyed’ while casting that ballot; in secret, no one else to
firsthand observe the actual voting – but only that an unpressured
opportunity was provided – and standard observation practices, and
subsequent vote tabulation procedures were followed.
I realize – and have confirmed with an Ontario Government elections
official, that individual mail-in envelopes are provided to the each
elector in a household, but I still see a problem with the system.
It gives the opportunity for a domaneering personality to ‘oversee’
and ‘persuade, or dictate’ the ‘VOTE’ of another, or others in the
household.
I can foresee a couple of examples of this, right in my neighbourhood,
but ‘we’ will leave this in general terms, for your thoughts, or comment.
Thank You
Peter E. Davenport
Mayoral Candidate
TINY TOWNSHIP