The City of Stratford is reminding residents of their rights in regards to voter privacy and secrecy under the Municipal Elections Act.
The city said when voting, no one may attempt to influence your voting choices, or interfere with your marking of the ballot and no one may attempt to obtain information about how you intend to vote, or how you did vote.
Tips from the city:
1. Cast your ballot privately. Although internet and telephone voting options will allow voters to cast a ballot from virtually anywhere, casting a ballot should still be a private exercise. Find a quiet, private place to cast your ballot, free from interference or close observation by others.
2. Protect your PIN. Your secret voting PIN will arrive in the mail, or may have already arrived. Although a PIN thief would need to know other personal information about you in order to steal and vote using your PIN, it’s still important for you to keep your PIN private.
3. If you choose not to vote, destroy your PIN. It is illegal to give your PIN and your vote to another person.
4. While candidates and their teams are welcome to solicit support throughout the campaign period, they must not interfere with a voter casting a ballot. Voters should ensure candidates and scrutineers respect your privacy and do not pressure you while you are voting.
5. Keep your choices private. You are not obliged to share your voting choices with anyone, either before or after casting a ballot.
The voting period for the municipal election runs from Oct. 16 at 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Oct. 26.
For more information on the Stratford municipal and school board election go to the City of Stratford’s election page or send questions to the city clerk’s office at elections@stratford.ca or 519-271-0250 ext. 5237.
