Hamilton committed to making voter experience more accessible for municipal election

HAMILTON, ON – The City of Hamilton is committed to improving the voter experience ahead of the October 24, 2022 municipal election by continuing to focus on increasing access and reducing barriers to voting across Hamilton. 

Plans will include leveraging technology, targeted community outreach, new ways to vote - such as vote by mail - and voting polls located at post-secondary institutions and other key community hubs to provide easy access for students, equity-seeking groups and vulnerable populations.

Improving Voter Experience

Hamilton voters can look forward to these measures and opportunities in place aimed at reducing barriers and making their voting experience as easy as possible:

• Using technology in new ways to increase access.
  • Voterlookup.ca to check if you are on the voters list and add yourself online up to September 1, 2022.
  • Epoll books and electronic strike off at the polls.
• Increasing the ways electors can cast their ballot.
  • A new Vote by Mail option for the general public was approved by City Council as an alternative voting method for 2022 allowing electors to register to receive a ballot package between September 1 to 23, 2022.  Packages must be received by Election Day, October 24, 2022, and can be submitted in person via a drop box at designated locations or mailed in via Canada Post.
  • Ballot on Demand at McMaster University, Mohawk College and Redeemer University will allow eligible students/voters to vote on campus regardless of their ward on October 18, 2022. 
  • Advance voting days will provide voters with many opportunities to visit a polling station and cast their vote, and are scheduled for October 7, 8, 14 and 15, 2022.
• Facilitating polling locations across the city.
  • 157 polling stations across all 15 wards, which includes at least one accessible location and tablet reader in each ward.
• Launching a targeted engagement and informational campaign.
  • Five Elections Ambassadors will attend community locations and events and set up information booths around the city this summer to engage with voters where they are and raise awareness about the election.
• Engaging youth and empowering them to vote.
  • Working with post-secondary institutions to raise awareness about the election and holding citywide ballot on demand polls at McMaster University, Mohawk College and Redeemer University on October 18, 2022.
• Removing barriers for traditionally under-represented and vulnerable populations and those who may experience barriers.
  • Engaging with community partners and institutions to offer voting opportunities, including ballot on demand days in October at select shelter drop-in locations, as well as other community hubs specifically for equity-seeking groups and vulnerable populations.
• Commitment to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment at polling stations.
  • Training elections and polling centre staff in diversity and inclusivity.
  • Making every effort to ease barriers of identification for vulnerable populations and those with no fixed address.
  • Curbside voting at all polls for those who have difficulty entering the poll.
• For the most up-to-date information on #HamiltonVotes2022 about voting, running or working in the upcoming municipal election, visit www.hamilton.ca/elections.