Smiths Falls council confirms internet and telephone voting for 2026 election

LAURIE WEIR

SMITHS FALLS – Voters in Smiths Falls will once again cast their ballots by internet or telephone in the next municipal election, which falls on Oct. 26, 2026.

Council approved a recommendation from clerk Kerry Costello at its Aug. 11 meeting to move forward with electronic voting for the 2026 municipal election, scheduled for Oct. 26, 2026.

The town has used alternative voting methods since 2003. In 2022, more than 200 Ontario municipalities also used internet and telephone voting, a number that continues to grow according to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario.

Costello said the method is cost-effective, accessible, and convenient for voters, while also reducing staff resources and speeding up ballot counting. Voting will be available 24 hours a day during a week-long period.

“We’ve been planning this for a number of months with the clerks in Lanark County,” Costello said. “We did use internet/telephone in the 2022 election, and internet previous to that and incorporated the paper ballot. I think we’ve used every method available.”

Other options considered by council included vote by mail, with an estimated cost of $65,000 to $80,000, and a combination of electronic and paper ballots at about $70,000. Internet and telephone voting is expected to cost between $25,000 and $40,000.

Costello noted there will still be some postal expenses involved, including mailouts for voter information letters and a limited number of mail-in ballots for electors who require them.

Funds for the election are already set aside in the municipal reserve, with about $74,000 available.

Help centres will be available for voters needing assistance or internet access, including at the municipal office, public libraries, or other community spaces.

Costello said they would still have a help desk at town hall for those without internet or computer access. “It actually wasn’t used as much as we thought it would be but we would still offer the same service,” she said.

She added that staff travel to retirement and nursing homes to assist residents. “We take iPads with us and walk them through the process so they also have the opportunity to vote,” she said. “Internet/telephone also gives them the opportunity to have someone with them in the family to assist them in case they’re worried about confidentiality.”

Coun. Peter McKenna asked if there was any way to encourage more people to vote. “Our numbers keep going down … some municipalities have initiatives in the year leading up to the election to promote why it’s important to vote in a municipal election,” he said.

Mayor Shawn Pankow suggested hosting an open house to discuss municipal life with anyone interested in becoming a councillor. “There are lots of ideas we can come up with,” Pankow said, “to get more people interested.”

Support for the staff recommendation was unanimous.