Greater Sudbury is launching a poll to get feedback from residents on a host of issues, including how citizens will vote in the 2022 election.
A release from Mayor Brian Bigger on Thursday said the survey aims to give the incoming council information to determine the method of voting next time around.
“I, along with city staff, have received a great deal of feedback from our residents and candidates about the online voting process and we owe it to voters in the next election to find out if they want to maintain that process or have it adjusted,” Bigger is quoted as saying in the release. “We also would like to know if the online voting concept was properly communicated, and to see if it made voting more or less accessible to you."
The Oct. 22 municipal election was notable because it was the first vote held entirely online, and because a problem with Dominion Voting's online server on election day caused the process to slow to a crawl in 54 cities, including Greater Sudbury. As a result, voting was extended an extra day.
The city is hiring Oracle Poll Research to survey voters across Greater Sudbury. The results will be presented to council and the public and will provide recommendations on how to increase participation rates and make it easier for voters in 2022.
“We need to gather as much data as possible now, to ensure this is top of mind for our residents,” Bigger said in the release. “We would also like to understand what influenced a turnout that was well below the provincial average, and encourage more people to vote in the future.”
The mayor will be soliciting a great deal of feedback from our citizens over the next four years, the release said.
“He would like to have constant contact, feedback and input from the public on a variety of issues,” the release said. “In this poll the city will also be asking you about hens in residential areas, policing and economic development.
“Council has received a strong mandate from the people of Greater Sudbury with all incumbents returned. We are approaching some monumental times in Greater Sudbury and as council shapes the city’s future, we need to ensure all of you are heard. We owe that to taxpayers, residents and the next generation of Greater Sudburians who will be leading our city. I would encourage residents to participate.”
