Guelph will introduce online voting in 2026, contingent on city staff’s satisfaction with security measures.
Council Decision
Guelph city council voted 9-4 to recommend internet voting as an alternative voting method for residents living with disabilities during the next municipal and school board election. The decision was made at a meeting on May 28.
Additional Voting Options
In addition to online voting, the council approved motions for:
- Voting at home
- Voting by mail
- Free Guelph Transit service on election day
- Free parking at Market Parkade on election day
Public Meeting and Delegations
The nearly four-hour-long open meeting included 21 delegations from concerned residents, technology experts, professors, a lawyer, and individuals living with disabilities. Opinions were divided, with support balanced between those for and against online voting. Many points were raised concerning security.
Expert Opinions
James Brunet, an instructor at Carleton University specializing in the cybersecurity of online voting in Ontario, was the first to speak. He expressed concerns about the current state of online voting security in Ontario.
“The situation in Ontario is not great at the moment,” he said. “It’s far below the standards set in other robust democracies that use online voting. While it is up to city council to decide, and there are certainly benefits to online voting, I would caution you that there are numerous risks involved that are specific to online voting or more severe in the online voting context.”
Brunet emphasized that little has been done to mitigate these risks.
Public Concerns
Delegate Anne Gajerski-Cauley echoed concerns about democracy and the need for standards and security, as well as a central body responsible for these. The city staff had previously decided not to recommend online voting for similar reasons.
Accessibility Issues
Jennifer Cameron, another delegate, highlighted the accessibility challenges her family faced during municipal elections. She noted violations of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act in the last election and described the process as “frustrating.”
“For me personally, I think that online voting would be the most accessible for our family and many others. It would also allow people with disabilities to use their own technology at home without the city having to provide multiple types of technology to accommodate people that need to vote,” said Cameron.
Advocacy for Disabled Voters
Lorelei Root, chair of the city’s Accessibility Advisory Committee, concluded the delegations with a passionate plea, reminding everyone that it was National AccessAbility Week.
“I do think I owe it to myself and other disabled advocates to honour our experiences by recognizing how hard this advocacy can be,” Root said.
Root emphasized that the issue was about more than just being able to vote independently.
“I’ve also struggled with what it means to be a person from an equity-seeking group who advocates so tirelessly for her needs to be met, and at times hasn’t seen any movement forward. I’ve struggled with what society thinks about people like me, and where disabled people fall in the unwritten hierarchy of the world, and how much we sometimes matter to other people,” said Root.
Root also mentioned receiving “many colourful messages” from other delegates and city residents concerning online voting.
Council’s Final Decision
Mayor Cam Guthrie commended the city councillors and clerks. He expressed his support for the motion, especially because it required that security and testing must satisfy the city clerk.
“Equity matters, and I appreciate everyone’s consideration as we balance rights with uncertainties that can be mitigated with standards and processes,” said Coun. Erin Caton. “Human rights should not only exist for those privileged enough to hire lawyers.”
Coun. Phil Allt, Coun. Linda Busuttil, Coun. Dominique O’Rourke, and Coun. Michele Richardson were the holdouts, citing the need to guarantee the safety and security of the voting method.