Supplementary Information Guide for
Municipal Council Candidates
2014
Corporate Services Department
Clerk’s Office
1 Wellington Street, P.O. Box 818
Stratford ON N5A 6W1
519-271-0250 ext 237
TTY: 519-271-5241
www.stratfordcanada. ca
election@stratfordcanada.ca
Supplementary Information Guide for Candidates
Municipal Election 2014
2
Table Of Contents
Page
1.0
Introduction
4
2.0
General Information
5

Nomination Period

Nomination Day

Offices to be Elected

Voting Period in Stratford

Voting Hours in Stratford

Term of Elected Office
3.0
Important Dates
6
4.0
Nomination Information
7
5.0

Filing of Nomination Paper

Withdrawal of Nomination Paper

Certification of Nominations

Additional Nominations if Insufficient

Reasons for City Clerk to Reject a Nomination
Qualifications and Disqualifications

Member of Council Eligibility

Elector Qualifications – Council

Persons Prohibited from Voting

Disqualification of a Member of Council

School Board Member Qualifications

School Board Member Disqualification

Leave of Absence

Qualification to Act as Member

Person not to be Candidate for more than one seat

Vacancy where Member Disqualified
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Supplementary Information Guide for Candidates
Municipal Election 2014
6.0
7.0
Nomination as a Candidate

Qualified at time of Nomination

Certain Persons Eligible to be Nominated

Exclusion

Employee of Municipality or Local Board
Nomination Procedure

Filing of Nominations

Exception, Nomination Filing Fee

Time for Filing

Exception for Additional Nominations

Preliminary Certificate of Permitted Amount of Expenses

Refund of Nomination Fee
3
12
14
8.0
Financial Reporting
15
9.0
Compliance Audit Committee
16
10.0
Scrutineers
16
11.0
Election Signs
17
12.0
Prohibited Use of City Resources for Election
Campaign Work
18
13.0
Prohibition of Canvassing in Voting Places
19
14.0
Voters’ List
20
15.0
Enumeration
20
16.0
Revision Period
20
17.0
Voting Period
21
18.0
Voting at Retirement Homes, Institutions
21
19.0
Access to Rented Premises/Condominiums by
20.0
Candidates/Authorized Representatives
21
Voter Information Letters
22
Supplementary Information Guide for Candidates
Municipal Election 2014
1.0
INTRODUCTION
This Supplementary Information Guide has been prepared to assist
candidates in the 2014 Municipal and School Board Elections. The contents
are intended only as a guide to certain provisions of relevant legislation and
do not purport to contain all applicable statutory references.
Candidates must satisfy themselves through their own determination that
they have complied with the election financing regulations and that they are
qualified to be elected.
You are advised to review the enclosed material and become familiar with
the legislative requirements. It is important that you be aware of your
responsibilities as a candidate.
The information is subject to change, including dates. The information in this
Guide is general in nature and candidates should refer to the Municipal
Elections Act, 1996 for specific provisions and additional information. A copy
of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 can be obtained online at www.elaws.gov.on.ca.
The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing produces a Candidate Guide
that should be consulted in conjunction with this Supplementary Information
Guide. The Ministry also produces the Municipal Councillor’s Guide that
contains valuable information.
Candidates for school board offices are encouraged to contact the
appropriate school board or Ministry of Education to obtain information on
the duties and responsibilities of a trustee.
Best Wishes for a successful campaign.
Joan Thomson
City Clerk
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Supplementary Information Guide for Candidates
Municipal Election 2014
2.0
GENERAL INFORMATION
Nomination Period
January 2, 2014 to September 12, 2014.
Nomination Day
September 12, 2014 before 2:00 pm.
Offices to be Elected
Mayor – 1 to be elected at large
Councillors – 10 to be elected at large
Trustees – Stratford is represented on 4 school boards:
•
Avon Maitland District School Board (English Public). 2 Trustees to
be elected by public school supporters to represent Stratford;
•
Huron-Perth Catholic District School Board (English Separate). 1
Trustee to be elected by separate school supporters to represent
Stratford;
•
Conseil scolaire Viamonde (French language Public). 1 Trustee to be
elected by French-language electors to represent the Regional
Municipality of Waterloo, Counties of Wellington, Middlesex, Perth
(including Stratford) and Huron. The Clerk of the City of London is
responsible for accepting nominations;
•
Conseil scolaire Catholiques Providence(French language Catholic). 1
Trustee to be elected by French- language separate school supporters
to represent Counties of Oxford, Perth (including Stratford) and Grey.
The Clerk of the City of Woodstock is responsible for accepting
nominations.
Voting Period in Stratford
Monday October 20, 2014 to Monday October 27, 2014.
Voting Hours in Stratford
Starting at 10:00 am on October 20 until 8:00 pm on October 27, 2014.
Term of Elected Office
December 1, 2014 to November 30, 2018.
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Municipal Election 2014
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3.0 IMPORTANT DATES
January 2 to September 11, 2014
Nominations may be filed from 8:30 am
to 4:30 pm Monday to Friday during
business hours in the City Clerk’s Office,
Ground Floor of City Hall, 1 Wellington
Street, Stratford.
September 12, 2014
Nomination Day: Nominations may be
filed from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm in the
City Clerk’s Office, Ground Floor of City
Hall, 1 Wellington Street, Stratford.
September 12, 2014
Last day for a candidate to withdraw a
nomination [2:00 pm deadline]
September 15, 2014
List of candidates declared elected by
acclamation to be posted after 4:00 pm
September 15, 2014
Clerk to certify Nomination Papers, unless
additional Nominations are required
September 17, 2014
Additional Nominations: in the event
that sufficient nominations have not
been received to fill any particular
office, additional nominations may be
filed from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm in the
City Clerk’s Office.
October 20-27, 2014
Voting Period in Stratford (continuous)
October 27, 2014
Unofficial election results
October 29, 2014
Clerk to declare Official Election Results
December 31, 2014
End of Candidate Campaign Period
December 31, 2014
Notify Clerk of a deficit and continuation
of Campaign Period
March 27, 2015
Filing deadline for Financial Reports
from all Nominated Candidates [2:00
pm deadline]
Supplementary Information Guide for Candidates
Municipal Election 2014
4.0
NOMINATION INFORMATION
Nomination Day is Friday, September 12, 2014, which is the last day
for filing nominations (NO later than 2:00 p.m.)
Filing of Nomination Paper
A Nomination Paper may be filed in the City Clerk’s Office on any day
preceding Nomination Day, Monday to Friday between 8:30 am a n d
4:30 pm.
On Nomination Day, a Nomination Paper may only be filed in the City Clerk’s
Office between 9:00 am and 2:00 pm.
Candidates are required to pay a nomination filing fee: $200 for the Office of
Mayor and $100 for Councillor or Trustee in the form of cash,
i n t e r a c t , certified cheque or money order, ONLY. No personal cheques
are permitted.
Proof of Identification must accompany the Nomination Paper and filing fee.
Nomination Forms must be filed in person by the candidate or his/her
authorized agent, along with the nomination fee.
Faxed forms are not accepted as original signatures are required.
Withdrawal of Nomination Paper
A Candidate may withdraw his/her Nomination Paper before 2:00 p.m. on
Nomination Day - September 12, 2014. The filing fee will be reimbursed by
the City Clerk following Nomination Day.
Certification of Nominations
The Clerk shall certify the nominations by signing the nomination papers
on Monday, September 15, 2014 by 4:00 p.m., if satisfied that a
person is qualified to be nominated and that the nomination complies with
the Act.
Additional Nominations, if insufficient
If insufficient nominations for an office are received by the deadline
described above, additional nominations may be filed between 9:00 a.m.
and 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 17, 2014.
If satisfied that a person is qualified to be nominated and that the
nomination complies with the Act, the Clerk shall certify the a d d i t i o n a l
nominations by signing the nomination papers. All additional nominations
filed shall be certified by the Clerk before 4 p.m. on Thursday, September 18
2014.
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Municipal Election 2014
Reasons for City Clerk to Reject a Nomination
The City Clerk is required to reject or certify nominations of candidates. The
Clerk will give notice of such rejection to the person who sought to be
nominated and to all candidates for the office.
The City Clerk uses the following criteria to reject a nomination:
•
•
•
•
•
•
candidate does not satisfy section 29(1) of the Municipal Elections Act,
1996 as amended;
the nomination paper is not complete in its entirety;
the filing fee has not been paid;
the candidate’s name does not on appear on the Voters’ List on
September 12, 2014; (Candidates should check to see that their name
appears on the Voters’ List as of September 2, 2014 or complete an
Application to Amend the Voters’ List)
candidate has refused or declined to provide proof of qualifications or
identification suitable to the City Clerk;
the necessary financial disclosure was not filed for the previous regular
election or any new election in which the individual may have been a
candidate.
There may be other circumstances in which a candidate is disqualified from
running for a particular office other than those identified above. It is the
responsibility of each candidate to ensure that he or she is not disqualified
from running or being nominated for the office. The candidate is required to
complete a Declaration of Qualification on the nomination paper.
5.0
QUALIFICATION AND DISQUALIFICATION
The City of Stratford is a single tier municipality. References to legislative or
statutory responsibilities will be focused on those sections specific to a single
tier municipality.
Member of Council - Eligibility
Section 256 of the Municipal Act, 2001:
“256.
Every person is qualified to be elected or to hold office as a
member of a Council of a local municipality,
(a)
who is entitled to be an elector in the local municipality
under section 17 of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, as
amended; and
(b)
who is not disqualified by this or any other Act from
holding such office.”
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Supplementary Information Guide for Candidates
Municipal Election 2014
Elector Qualifications - Council
Section 17 of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, as amended, “Qualifications
of Electors”:
“17 (2). A person is entitled to be an elector at an election held in a
local municipality if on voting day, he or she,
(a)
resides in the local municipality, or is the owner or tenant
of land there, or is the spouse of such owner or tenant;
(b)
is a Canadian citizen,
(c)
is at least 18 years old, and
(d)
is not prohibited from voting under subsection (3) or
otherwise by law. “
Persons Prohibited from Voting
“17 (3). The following persons are prohibited from voting:
(a)
A person who is serving a sentence of imprisonment in a
penal or correctional institution,
(b)
A corporation.
(c)
A person acting as executor or trustee or in any other
representative capacity, except as a voting proxy in
accordance with section 44.
(d)
A person who was convicted of the corrupt practice
described in subsection 90(3), if Voting Day in the
current election is less than four years after Voting Day in
the election in respect of which her or she was
convicted.”
Disqualification of a Member of Council
Section 258 of the Municipal Act, 2001 states:
“258(1) The following are not eligible to be elected as a member of a
Council or to hold office as a member of a Council:
1. Except in accordance with Section 30 of the Municipal
Elections Act, 1996, as amended,
•
an employee of the municipality,
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Municipal Election 2014
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•
a person who is not an employee of the municipality but
who is the Clerk, Treasurer, Integrity Commissioner,
Auditor General, Ombudsman or registrar referred to in
sections 223.11 or an investigator referred to in
subsection 239.2(1) of the municipality, or
•
a person who is not an employee of the municipality but
who holds any administrative position of the
municipality.
2. A judge of any court.
3. A member of the Assembly as provided in the Legislative
Assembly Act or of the Senate or House of Commons of
Canada
4. Except in accordance with Part V of the Public Service of
Ontario Act, 2006 and any regulation made under that
Part, a public servant within the meaning of that Act.
“258(2) A member of council of a municipality is disqualified from
holding office if, at any time during the term of office of that member,
he or she,
(a) ceases to be a Canadian citizen;
(b) is not a resident, the owner or tenant of land or the
spouse or an owner or tenant of land in the municipality,
in the case of a member of council of a local municipality,
or in a lower-tier municipality within the upper-tier
municipality, in the case of a member of council of an
upper-tier municipality; or
(c) would be prohibited under this or any other Act from
voting in an election for the office of member of council
of the municipality if an election was held at that time.”
Supplementary Information Guide for Candidates
Municipal Election 2014
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SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER – QUALIFICATIONS, RESIGNATIONS AND
VACANCIES
Qualification of School Board Members
Section 219 of the Education Act
“219(1) A person is qualified to be elected as a member of a district
school board or school authority if the person is qualified to
vote for members of that district school board or that school
authority and is resident in its area of jurisdiction.
(2) A person who is qualified under subsection (1) to be elected
as a member of a district school board or school authority is
qualified to be elected as a member of that district school
board or school authority for any geographic area in the
district school board’s or school authority’s area of
jurisdiction, regardless of which positions on that district
school board or school authority the person may be qualified
to vote for.
(3) A member of a district school board or school authority is
eligible for re-election if otherwise qualified.”
Disqualifications of School Board Members
“(4)
Despite subsection (1), a person is not qualified to be
elected or to act as a member of a district school board
or school authority if the person is,
(a)
an employee of a district school board or school
authority;
(b)
REPEALED: 2002, c. 18, Sched. G, s. 9 (1).
(c)
the Clerk or Treasurer or Deputy Clerk or deputy
treasurer of a municipality or an upper-tier
municipality, all or part of which is included in the
area of jurisdiction of the district school Board
or the school Authority;
(d)
a member of the Assembly or of the Senate or
House of Commons of Canada; or
(e)
otherwise ineligible or disqualified under this or any
other Act .”
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Municipal Election 2014
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Leave of Absence
“(5) Despite subsection (4), none of the following persons is ineligible to be
a candidate for or to be elected as a member of a district school board or
school authority if he or she takes an unpaid leave of absence, beginning no
later than the day the person is nominated and ending on voting day:
1.
An employee of a district school board or school authority.
2.
The Clerk, Treasurer, Deputy Clerk or Deputy Treasurer of a
municipality or upper-tier municipality, all or part of which is
included in the area of jurisdiction of a district school board or
school authority.
(5.1) Subsections 30 (2) to (7) of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 apply
with necessary modifications to an individual referred to in subsection (5).”
Qualification to Act as a Member
“(9) A person is not qualified to act as a member of a district school board or
school authority if the person ceases to hold the qualifications required to be
elected as a member of the district school board or the school authority.”
Person not to be Candidate for more than One Seat
“(10) No person shall run as a candidate for more than one seat on a district
school board or school authority and any person who does so and is elected
to hold one or more seats on the district school board or the school authority
is not entitled to act as a member of the district school board or the school
authority by reason of the election.”
Vacancy Where Member Disqualified
“(11) The seat of a member of a district school board or school authority
who is not qualified or entitled to act as a member of that district school
board or that school authority is vacated.”
6.0
NOMINATION AS A CANDIDATE
Qualified at Time of Nomination
A person must be qualified at the time of nomination as provided in Section
29(1) of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, as amended.
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Municipal Election 2014
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“29(1) A person may be nominated for an office only if, as of the day the
person is nominated,
(a) he or she is qualified to hold that office under the Act that creates
it; and
(b) he or she is not ineligible under this or any other Act or otherwise
prohibited by law to be nominated for or to hold the office.
Notwithstanding the above provision, some persons otherwise disqualified at
the time of filing the nomination are entitled to file in accordance with
Sections 29(1.1) and (1.2) and 30(1) of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996,
as amended:
Certain Persons Eligible to be Nominated
“29.(1.1) Despite subsection (1) and despite section 258 of the Municipal
Act, 2001, section 203 of the City of Toronto Act, 2006, section 9 of the
Legislative Assembly Act and section 219 of the Education Act, a member of
the Legislative Assembly of Ontario or the Senate or House of Commons of
Canada is not ineligible to be nominated for an office in an election by virtue
of being a member of any of those bodies but, if the person is a member of
any of those bodies as of the close of nominations on nomination day of the
election, the nomination shall be rejected by the clerk under section 35.”
Exclusion
“(1.2) Subsection (1.1) does not apply to a member of the Executive Council
of Ontario or a federal Minister of the Crown.”
Employee of Municipality or Local Board
“30(1) An employee of a municipality or local board is eligible to be a
candidate for and to be elected as a member of the council or local board
that is the employer if he or she takes an unpaid leave of absence beginning
as of the day the employee is nominated and ending on Voting Day.”
In addition to these provisions in the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, as
amended, the Education Act has been amended to provide for parallel
changes for a candidate for a district school Board or a school Authority.
(See Section 219(5) of the Education Act.)
Supplementary Information Guide for Candidates
Municipal Election 2014
7.0
14
NOMINATION PROCEDURE
Every person who proposes to be a candidate must file nomination
papers prior to receiving any campaign contributions and prior to
expending any funds on a campaign.
Nomination period commences January 1, 2014; however, the earliest a
candidate may file is January 2, 2014 (the first regular business day for the
Clerk’s Office following the New Year’s holiday) with respect to the 2014
election.
Filing of Nominations
Section 33 of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, as amended states:
“33(1) A person may be nominated for an office by filing a nomination in the
clerk’s office, in person or by an agent.
(2) The nomination shall,
(a) be in the prescribed form;
(b) be accompanied by a declaration of qualification in the prescribed
form, signed by the person being nominated; and
(c) be accompanied by the prescribed nomination filing fee.”
Exception, Nomination Filing Fee
“(3) If the person was previously nominated for an office on the same
council or local board in the same election and paid the nomination filing fee
at that time,
(a) clause (2) (c) does not apply; and
(b) for the purposes of section 34 (refund) and paragraph 9 of
subsection 67 (2) (expenses), the fee paid at the time of the earlier
nomination shall be deemed to have been paid in connection with the
later one.”
Time for Filing
“(4) The nomination may be filed,
(a) on any day in the year of the regular election that is before
nomination day, at a time when the clerk’s office is open; or
(b) on nomination day, between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.”
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Municipal Election 2014
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Exception for Additional Nominations
“(5) If the number of nominations filed for an office and certified under
section 35 is less than the number of persons to be elected to the office,
additional nominations may be filed between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. on the
Wednesday following nomination day.”
Preliminary Certificate of Permitted Amount of Expenses, as of Filing
of Nomination
“33.0.1(1) Upon the filing of a person’s nomination, the Clerk shall calculate
the applicable maximum amount of the person’s expenses for the purposes
of subsection 76(4), as of the filing date, using the number of electors
referred to in clause 76(6)(A), and shall give the person, or the agent filing
the nomination for the person, a certificate of the applicable maximum
amount as of the filing date.
(2) The Clerk’s calculation is final.”
A copy of the Preliminary Estimate / Certificate of Maximum Campaign
Spending Limits is provided to each candidate by the City Clerk.
Included in the Candidate Package is a letter addressed to Ontario Financial
Institutions. The purpose of this letter is to advise of the legal requirements
to set up a campaign account. This letter can be provided to your financial
institution when you set up your campaign account.
Refund of Deposit (Nomination Fee)
A candidate is entitled to receive a refund of the nomination filing fee if he or
she:
(a) withdraws the nomination under Section 36;
(b) is elected to the office; or
(c) receives more than the prescribed percentage of the votes cast in
the election for the office.
NOTE: The prescribed percentage of the vote for the return of deposit is at
least 2% of the total votes cast for the same office.
8.0
FINANCIAL REPORTING
Before 2:00 pm on March 27, 2015, each candidate, whether elected to
office or not, is required to file the necessary financial reports with the City
Clerk. Penalties come into effect immediately.
NOTE: this is a firm deadline – the penalties for non-compliance will apply
immediately unless the candidate has applied for a court ordered extension.
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Municipal Election 2014
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Any surplus in a candidate’s campaign must be paid to the City Clerk at
the time of filing the financial statement. Subject to limitations under section
79, the surplus becomes the property of the City of Stratford.
If the candidate has a deficit in his or her campaign, the campaign period
may be extended beyond December 31, 2014 to obtain additional
contributions in order to eliminate the deficit. The candidate must notify the
City Clerk on or before December 31, 2014.
The supplementary reporting period will end as of June 30, 2015 and the
candidate must file a supplementary financial statement and auditor’s report
by September 30, 2015. These reports must include all the information
contained in the initial statement or report, updated to reflect the changes to
the candidate’s election campaign finances during the supplementary
reporting period.
9.0
COMPLIANCE AUDIT COMMITTEE
The Municipal Elections Act was amended to require the current Council to
appoint a Compliance Audit Committee. An elector who is entitled to vote in
an election and believes on reasonable grounds that a candidate has
contravened a provision of the Municipal Elections Act relating to campaign
finances, may apply for a compliance audit of the candidate’s election
campaign expenses. If the Committee decides to grant the application, the
Committee shall appoint an auditor to conduct a compliance audit of the
candidate’s election campaign finances.
Candidates should review the Municipal Elections Act regarding compliance
audits.
10.0
SCRUTINEERS AND CANDIDATES ARE PROHIBITED FROM THE
FOLLOWING:
- attempting, directly or indirectly, to interfere with how an elector
votes, and prohibited from attempting to campaign or
persuade an elector to vote for a particular candidate, while in
a voting place;
- displaying a candidate’s election campaign material in a voting
place [voting place includes the entire property designated
including outside walls, parking lot and landscaping area];
- compromising the secrecy of the voting;
- interfering or attempting to interfere with an elector who is
marking a ballot;
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Municipal Election 2014
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- obtaining or attempting to obtain, in a voting place, any
information about how an elector intends to vote or has voted;
- communicating any information obtained at a voting place about
how an elector intends to vote or has voted;
- a candidate may appoint scrutineers in writing, to represent him
or her during voting. Forms are available from the Clerk’s office.
11.0
ELECTION SIGNS
Municipal Sign Regulations
Election signs for federal, provincial and municipal elections are regulated by
By-law. The following regulations are in effect (excerpts from Sign By-law
159-2004 as amended):
No sign permit is required for the erection of election signs;
(a)
No person shall affix, erect or otherwise display an election sign
or permit an election sign to be affixed, erected or otherwise
displayed:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
(vi)
on any property designated park or road allowance
abutting property designated park;
on a tree or on any official sign or official sign structure;
within a sight triangle;
upon the property whereupon a voting location is situated;
on private property or on the road allowance directly
abutting the private property without the owner’s consent
at any location where the election sign:
•
•
•
•
(b)
obstructs the view of any pedestrian or driver of a
motor vehicle, or obstructs the visibility of any traffic
sign or device, or where it could interfere with vehicular
traffic so that it could endanger any person;
obstructs openings required for light, ventilation,
ingress, egress or fire fighting;
constitutes a danger or hazard to the general public;
on a concrete or masonry noise attenuation wall.
No person shall affix, erect or otherwise display an election sign
or permit an election sign to be erected, affixed, or otherwise
displayed prior to the issuance of writs for a provincial or federal
election or until a candidate has filed all required documents and
paid the required fee in support of their candidacy for municipal
office;
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Municipal Election 2014
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(c)
An election sign shall not exceed a maximum sign area of 1.5m2
(16.1 sq. ft.) with the exception of those placed on billboard
signs;
(d)
An election sign shall not display a city logo, crest, seal or other
city identification
(e)
An election sign which is a facia sign may be affixed to the face
of the building or building unit which is used as a candidate’s
campaign headquarters provided such facia sign complies with
the provisions of this By-law for a facia sign.
(f)
An election sign shall be removed within forty-eight (48) hours
immediately following 11:59 p.m. of the day of the election.
Enforcement of the City’s Sign By-law is done by the City’s By-law
Enforcement Officers.
In addition to the above regulations no sign shall be placed upon the
property upon which a voting place is situated during the hours of the poll.
(Section 65(2) of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996).
12.0
PROHIBITED USE OF CITY RESOURCES FOR ELECTION
CAMPAIGN WORK
The following excerpt from the Code of Conduct for Council Members is
provided:
The purpose of this policy is to clarify that all election candidates, including
members of City Council are required to follow the provisions of the
Municipal Elections Act, 1996 and that:
-
No candidate shall use the facilities, equipment, supplies, services,
staff or other resources of the City for any election campaign related
activities;
-
No candidate shall undertake campaign-related activities on City
property during regular working hours;
-
No candidate shall use the services of persons during hours in which
those persons receive any compensation from the City;
-
Corporate resources, assets and funding may not be used for any
election-related purposes;
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Municipal Election 2014
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-
Staff may not canvass or actively work in support of a municipal
candidate or party during normal working hours unless they are on a
leave of absence without pay, lieu time, float day, or vacation leave;
-
Candidates may not use any municipally-provided facilities for any
election–related purposes. Neither campaign related signs nor any
other election-related material will be displayed in any municipallyprovided facilities;
-
Members of Council may not deliver any unsolicited material where the
printing and/or distribution costs are paid by the municipality;
-
Candidates may not print or distribute any election-related material
using municipal funds;
-
Web sites or domain names that are funded by the City of Stratford
may not include any election-related campaign material;
-
The municipality’s voice mail system may not be used to record
election related messages or the computer network (including the
City’s email system) to distribute election related correspondence;
-
The municipality’s logo, crest, coat of arms, slogan, etc. may not be
printed or distributed on any election materials or included on any
election campaign related website, except in the case of a link to the
City’s web site to obtain information about the municipal election.
13.0 PROHIBITION OF CANVASSING IN VOTING PLACES
The Clerk is the lessee of the premises used as voting places established by
by-law. As the lessee of such premises, the Clerk does not permit
electioneering of any nature in or on the premises. The premises is deemed
to include the entire building and the property on which it is located.
Section 48 (2) of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 provides as follows:
"No person shall display a candidate’s election campaign material or
literature in a voting place."
Election Officials appointed by the City Clerk are instructed to remove any
campaign material or literature of any nature from any voting place.
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Municipal Election 2014
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14.0 VOTERS’ LIST
A candidate may request a copy of the Voters’ List from the City Clerk using
the prescribed form available from the City Clerk.
After Voting Day, candidates are required to return their Voters’ List and List
of Changes to the City Clerk who will ensure proper disposal of the
information.
15.0 ENUMERATION
The Preliminary Voters’ List for the City of Stratford is prepared by the
Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) and is provided to the
City Clerk in August, 2014. The List contains the names, addresses and
school support provided by residents to MPAC.
Upon receipt of the Preliminary Voters’ List, the City Clerk prepares the list
for the Revision Period.
16.0 REVISION PERIOD
The Revision Period gives electors the opportunity to make corrections,
additions or deletions to information in the Voters’ List. Electors may make
these changes to their information beginning September 2, 2014.
The Voters’ List is available for review as of September 2 , 2014 at
the following locations:
•
•
•
Kiwanis Community Centre – 111 Lakeside Drive, Stratford
Stratford Public Library – 19 St. Andrew Street, Stratford
City Clerk’s Office, City Hall – Ground Floor, 1 Wellington Street, Stratford
Applications for amendments to the Voters’ List will be accepted by the City
Clerk commencing on September 2 , 2014 and ending at 8:00 p.m.
on October 27, 2014. Applications must be accompanied by Proof of
Identification. Applications to remove another person’s name from the
Voters’ List will only be accepted until September 12, 2014.
If an elector did not apply to the City Clerk to amend the Voters’ List prior to
the deadline determined by the City Clerk, he or she will not receive a Voter
Information Letter. Voters may still be able to apply to amend the Voters’
List up to 8:00 p.m. on October 27, 2014. Please contact the City Clerk’s
Office, City Hall, 519-271-0250, ext. 237 for more information.
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Municipal Election 2014
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17.0 VOTING PERIOD
Electors in Stratford may begin voting at 10:00 am on Monday October 20,
2014 until 8:00 pm on Monday October 27, 2014.
Voters will be able to vote via the internet or phone using the information
in their personal Voter Information Letter that was mailed to them in
October.
18.0 VOTING AT RETIREMENT HOMES, INSTITUTIONS AND SPECIAL
POLLS
Provision has been made for electors in retirement homes, institutions and
special polls. Elections officials will be on site during certain times during the
October 2 0 to 27, 2014 Voting Period to answer questions and
provide assistance if requested.
The distribution of the Voter Notification letters will be coordinated with the
assistance of the Administrator or their designate.
Electors residing in these facilities will be able to use internet access
provided, to vote from these locations.
Spruce Lodge, Woodland Towers and Hamlet Estate
Stratford General Hospital Long Term Care
Cedarcroft Place
Greenwood Court
Windmill Gardens
People Care
Anne Hathaway Residence
19.0 ACCESS TO RENTED PREMISES AND CONDOMINIUMS BY
CANDIDATE OR THEIR AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVES
Section 22 of the Tenant Protection Act provides that
“No landlord shall restrict reasonable access to a residential complex by
candidate for election to, any office at the federal, provincial or municipal
level or their authorized representative, if they are seeking access for the
purpose of canvassing or distributing election material.”
Section 118 of the Condominium Act provides that
“No corporation or servant or agent of a corporation shall restrict reasonable
access to the property by candidates or their authorized representatives, for
election to the House of Commons, the Legislative Assembly, any office in a
municipal government or school Board for the purpose of canvassing or
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Municipal Election 2014
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distributing election material.”
20.0 VOTER INFORMATION LETTERS
Each eligible elector in Stratford whose name appears on the Preliminary
Voters’ List will receive, via first class mail, a Voter Information Letter in
mid-October. This letter provides information which is unique for every
elector and is essential for voting.
Information about the internet address or telephone number to be used by
the elector to vote will be included in their unique letter.
A Call Centre w i l l b e staffed w i t h election officials who will be available
for electors to call with questions during the Voting Period which extends
from October 20 to 27, 2014. Further information on times will be available
at a later date.