Voting by mail

In the past couple of issues there have been numerous letters to the Journal     urging citizens to vote in the upcoming municipal elections as it is a basic democratic right that should be exercised. Why is it that most of the municipalities in the MRC Pontiac do not allow voting by mail?

In the past couple of issues there have been numerous letters to the Journal     urging citizens to vote in the upcoming municipal elections as it is a basic democratic right that should be exercised. Why is it that most of the municipalities in the MRC Pontiac do not allow voting by mail?
Voting by mail has been available to municipalities and its electors for approximately twelve years. In the 2009 municipal elections over 100 Quebec municipalities took advantage of voting by mail. Estimates for the current election are that this will swell to 200 municipalities. In order for a municipality to enact voting by mail, the local council must pass a resolution at anytime up to six months prior to the election date and sign a memorandum of understanding with the minister of Municipal Affaires and Regions and the Chief Electoral Officer.
There are seasonal and retired residents who, for many reasons, are unable to be in their municipality at  election time. For these people, who pay annual municipal taxes, voting by mail would seem to be a fair, and reasonable request. It’s time that all municipalities embrace the 21st Century and allow its electors the tools the Province has provided in order to be fully transparent and accountable to all of their constituents.

John Taylor
BRISTOL