The Clerk for the Town of Pelham has declared an emergency under Sec. 53 of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996.

With a provincial order declaring an emergency on March 17, and the Town of Pelham declaring an emergency on April 3, the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, provides that the Clerk is responsible for the conduct of the municipal election and may declare such an emergency to enact any measures the Clerk deems necessary or desirable to conduct the election.

“This declaration provides the municipality with options and means to ensure the safety and availability for all to vote in this fall’s by-election,” said Nancy Bozzato, Town Clerk. “Under the Act, the Clerk is given the authority to make the necessary arrangements, such as mail-in voting, for example, to ensure a safe voting experience.”

The Ward One by-election is set for September 15, 2020,  and declaring the emergency gives the Clerk and staff the ability to identify new and safe approaches to conducting the election.

The necessary adaptations to the by-election voting process must be consistent with the Act’s principles.

Measures being considered for implementation to include:

• Advance voting opportunities with the suggestion to vote by odd/even house numbers, reducing the number of people in attendance and shorten wait times
• Addition of election officer positions including Physical Distancing Officer, Poll Station Cleaner, and Health Assessment Officer
• Personal protective equipment will be provided, including issuance of masks and one-time use gloves, one-time use pens, health assessment screening for anyone attending a voting place, and barrier screening for election personnel
• Introduction of on-demand special ballot process for persons impacted by COVID-19 or with lowered immune systems, allowing them to vote by mail or ballot delivery to a secure station

View the official declaration.

For more information on the 2020 Ward One by-election, visit: www.pelham.ca/by-election-2020