Mail-in ballots to be added to Oshawa’s municipal election in 2022

Mail-in ballots will be added to the 2022 Municipal election after Oshawa Council unanimously approved the motion earlier this week.

Mail-in ballots can delay elections race if they are close – as we saw in presidential elections in a few states in the USA last year. Closer to home, there were fears the federal election race in Whitby Riding in September could take a little extra time to finalize after Liberal incumbent Ryan Turnbull and Conservative candidate Maleeha Shahid were embroiled in a tight in the days leading up the election. Turnbull, however, eventually won the seat by slightly more than 5,000 votes.

Oshawa Mayor said the support for the mail-in ballot was “huge news” for the city because it ensures that more people get out and vote, with the potential for delays a small price to pay for fair and equitable elections.

“We want to make sure we engage as many people as possible to cast their ballots,” he said. We hope it encourages more people to vote.”

The motion passed 11-0.