2026 Accessible Election

Accessible Voting Technologies - Advance Voting

Advance Voting Places will be equipped with Ballot Marking Devices, which permit the independent casting of ballots by individuals with accessibility needs and those who cannot mark a paper ballot with a Ballot Marking Pen. The system consists of the following components:

  1. An Accessible AutoMark System and a set of headphones that a Voter uses to interact with the system;
  2. An on board printer for printing the audio session ballot once the Voter has made his or her selections; and,
  3. Other input interfaces as necessary to accommodate a Voter's individual needs, including:
    1. Sip and Puff Inputer Interface; and,
    2. Paddle Button Input Interface.

The Voter uses headphones to hear the ballot presentation and the attached controller device (Audio-Tactile Interface) to control the voting session and select Candidates as well as respond with a "yes" or "no" to questions on the ballot. The Voter can also use the other available assistive devices such as sip and puff or rocker paddles.

Accessible Voting Technologies - Election Day

All Voting Places on Election Day will be equipped with an Automark Accessible Ballot Marking Device specifically designated for persons with accessibility needs. The same procedures as set out above for Advanced Voting Places will be used on Election Day. 

Voter Assistance

Oral Oath to Vote with Assistance

A voter who requires assistance to vote may ask the Election Official for assistance. The Election Official shall require the voter making the request to take the Oral Oath to Vote with Assistance, and then assist and/or vote as directed by the voter. Any other person present must remove themselves until the voter finishes instructing the Election Official. 

Oral Oath of Friend/Support Person of Elector

In lieu of the Election Official assisting a voter, the voter may request that a friend accompany them to vote. Any friend or support person who is permitted to vote shall be required to take the Oral Oath of Friend/Support Person of Elector. A person shall only be allowed to act as a friend for one voter. 

Oral Oath of Interpreter

Where the Election Official does not understand the language of a voter, an interpreter, provided by the voter, shall take the Oral Oath of Interpreter and shall translate the oaths as well as any lawful questions put to the voter. 

Proxy Voting

Anyone wishing to assign their vote to another must follow the Town's Election Procedures for appointing a Proxy Voter. 

Appointment of voting proxy

44 (1) A person who is entitled to be an elector in a local municipality may appoint another person who is also so entitled as his or her voting proxy, using the prescribed form. 1996, c. 32, Sched. s. 44 (1).

Restrictions

(2) A person shall not,

(a) appoint more than one voting proxy;

(b) act as a voting proxy for more than one other person. 1996, c. 32, Sched., s. 44

Spouses, etc.

(3) The restriction in clause (2) (b) does not apply if the proxy and the other person are spouses or siblings of each other, parent and child, or grandparent and grandchild. 1996, c. 32, Sched., s. 44 (3); 1999, c. 6, s. 43 (3); 2005, c. 5, s. 46 (3); 2021, c. 4, Sched. 11, s. 24.

Timing

(4) A person shall not appoint a voting proxy for an election until the later of,

(a) the time for the withdrawal of nominations under section 36 has expired for all offices for which the election is being conducted; and

(b) the time when the clerk has certified all persons qualified to be nominated under subsection 35 (2). 2016, c. 15, s. 33.

Transportation

Similar to previous Elections, for those that cannot attend a voting place, who still wish to cast their vote without the use of a proxy, please contact the Clerk's Office to arrange an in-home visit.

NOTE: Amherstburg Community Services is generously providing free rides, with an accessible vehicle, to the polls for those who book in advance. Rides will be available on:

  • Advanced Voting Days
  • Election Day 

To book in advance, please call 519-736-5471.

If you would like to familiarize yourself with, or arrange the use of, the above equipment or service, please contact with Clerk's Office at election@amherstburg.ca or 519-730-2128.