Road Closures and Construction

The Council of the Township of West Lincoln has approved the use of Internet voting as an alternative method for the 2022 Municipal and Schoolboard Election. West Lincoln has decided to pursue Voatz Canada Ltd for their online election platform that stresses security and accessibility for all residents of the Township.

Background Information

Internet voting will only be available during the advanced voting period of the election, as traditional paper ballots will still be used on elections day. Electors will be able to access the internet voting system through a browser on their personal computer, an application on their phone, or at a dedicated computer located at the Township office on 318 Canborough St, Smithville Ontario.

Electors will be mailed their traditional voter cards in the mail, with a newly included personalized and original PIN for each registered elector at the corresponding mailing address. This PIN will then allow for the elector to access the online voting platform, and cast their ballot. Voatz Canada Ltd. utilizes top-of-the-line accessibility features on all of their platforms, and will allow for the 2022 Municipal and Schoolboard election to be the most accessible and convenient election to vote in West Lincoln history.

With the use of block chain technology, localized servers, and extensive security audits, Voatz Canada Ltd. is ensuring that the election in West Lincoln is extremely secure. Careful auditing and screening procedures are in place both within the voting platform and the Township, ensuring that the anonymity, security, and accuracy of the ballot is of the highest priority. This technology can also be used on the slowest of broadband internet connections, further ensuring that all electors within West Lincoln can confidently and safely choose to vote online.

Voatz Canada Ltd. is already integrated with technologies that the Township of West Lincoln already uses, such as Datafix, which maintains the voter’s list database. This real time integration of a system the Township already uses will ensure that electors who vote online will be struck from the voting list after casting their vote, just as they would if they were using a paper ballot. This integration will remove the possibility of fraudulent “double voting”, as well as provide the Township of extremely accurate information of the election in real-time.
After the advanced polling period is over, the votes cast using the online alternative method will be audited to be made sure that there were no fraudulent attempts from within or outside of the Township to alter the results of the election. Voters will be able to verify themselves that their vote was cast with the randomized receipt the elector receives after casting the ballot through whichever virtual means they chose.

Internet Voting Dates & Voting Assistance Centre

Internet Voting:

Open during the advanced voting period only:

Monday, September 26, 2022 - Monday, October 17, 2022 *Inclusive*

Internet Voting Assistance:

Township Administrative Office - September 26, 2022 - October 17, 2022
Monday - Friday during the office hours of 10:00am - 4:00pm

How to Vote

Despite being just over half of the Niagara population, women are underrepresented in local government, especially in senior leadership. On Regional Council, 25 per cent of councillors are women and no apparent visible minorities serve on Niagara Region or local municipal councils.

Niagara Region's Seat at the Table program aims to address barriers that women face running for municipal office and to improve the environment once elected. The goal is to increase the number of women, particularly underrepresented women, elected for municipal government in Niagara by promoting understanding, awareness and confidence through education, mentorship and support to those interested in running for election.

The program consists of four workshops that will help women and underrepresented groups feel informed and educated when making the decision to run for local government. Those elected will then be invited to participate in three sessions in 2023.

Seat at the Table will provide participants with the knowledge and skills to run a successful campaign, and if elected, support throughout their term.

The Township of West Lincoln has created a list of the most commonly requested by-laws in relation to the 2022 Municipal and School Board Election. Don't see what you are looking for? You can request a by-law from our Clerk. If you would like to report a violation, please visit our Report a Concern page.

Commonly Requested By-laws:

Sign By-law (consolidated)

Election Sign By-law

Procedures of Council and Committees

Alternative Voting Method

POL-ADMIN-01-2018 Use of Corporate Resources for Election Purposes Policy- as amended (re-Nomination Day)

Municipal Election Voting Policy & Procedure

Notice of Penalties Re Campaign Finances and Refund of Nomination Fee

The Municipal Elections Act, 1996 requires each municipality and school board in Ontario to establish a compliance audit committee to consider compliance audit applications.

In 2022, the municipalities and school boards in Niagara, once again, partnered to establish the joint Niagara Compliance Audit Committee.

Niagara Compliance Audit Committee - Procedures

Niagara Compliance Audit Committee - Appointments

Niagara Compliance Audit Committee - Terms of Reference (2022-2026)

Purpose of Committee:

• To consider whether to grant or reject a compliance audit application made by an eligible elector;
• To appoint an auditor, if the application is granted;
• Receives and considers the auditor's report and decides whether legal proceedings should be commenced;
• Considers reports from the Clerk identifying contributors who appear to have contravened election contribution limits and decides whether legal proceedings should be commenced.

Powers and functions of the committee are found under Sections 88.33-88.37 of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996

To find more information, please visit the Joint Compliance Audit Committee website found here.