The Town of Petrolia has awarded a contract for electronic voting for the 2026 municipal election.
The City of Sarnia spearheaded the job of acquiring a company to provide internet voting on a joint contract with nine other municipalities over the summer.
In an interview with Sarnia News Today, Mayor Brad Loosley said agreeing to join the combined contract secured better pricing for the service.
"I'm really pleased, first of all, that the municipalities are working together to do this type of thing on a contract, so we're all involved," said Loosley.
Secondly, Loosley said he's happy assistance will be offered to residents for 10 days (the full voting period) before the election.
"So, for anyone that feels uncomfortable voting on their phone, or on their iPad, or computer, they're welcome to come into Victoria Hall or the Town Hall and staff will be there to help them if they have any concerns regarding voting electronically like this," said Loosley.
Loosley said there will be no paper ballots in 2026, unlike the 2022 municipal election.
"The number of paper copies used was minimal, very little, compared to the rest. So, that was another reason why I felt comfortable eliminating it... if the people really aren't coming into use a paper copy," Loosley said.
Mayor Loosley said polling stations will still be set up in some facilities on election day.
"We're legislated by the province, the same with all of the other municipalities on hospitals, depending on the number of beds, nursing homes, homes for the aged... you have to have a polling station in those areas," Loosley said.
He said before the 2022 election he fought for the paper ballots, but changed his mind on the need after seeing how little they were used in that election.
Petrolia council has agreed to pay nearly $24,000 to Simply Voting as its part of the contract.
