Greater Sudbury mayoral candidate Cody Cacciotti is speaking out against Mayor Brian Bigger having volunteers going to people's homes with iPads to help them vote electronically in the Oct. 22 municipal election.
“This practice is too easily misconstrued as an attempt to influence voters,” Cacciotti said in a news release, adding that his campaign will not be doing this.
“If other candidates honestly wanted to assist voters without influencing the outcome they would guide citizens to the numerous resources that have been made available for this election.”
He said he's contacted the Clerk's Office about the issue, and they did explain the serious concern of voter influencing and the policy to “strongly caution candidates against the practice.”
While the tactic being employed by some candidates may not seem to violate the Municipal Elections Act, it is contrary to the spirit of the law, he said. This act was created to ensure a fair vote, it was not created so that candidates could find creative ways to subvert the voting process.
The full text of Cacciotti's news release can be found below:
I believe in fair elections and doing everything possible to maintain the integrity of our voting system. Therefore, my campaign will not be bringing devices to voters homes under the pretense of “helping them vote.” This practice is too easily misconstrued as an attempt to influence voters.
If other candidates honestly wanted to assist voters without influencing the outcome they would guide citizens to the numerous resources that have been made available for this election.
There is assistance available at 14 different Voter Help Centres, 12 Mobile Electronic Voting Locations and 23 Electronic Voting Locations. All of which are monitored by trained staff who can offer assistance without the risk of undue influence. If candidates felt this approach was still inadequate, they could have invited other campaigns to contribute volunteers, resources, or assistance.
After contacting the Clerk's Office about this issue, they did explain the serious concern of voter influencing and the policy to “strongly caution candidates against the practice.”
While the tactic being employed by some candidates may not seem to violate the Municipal Elections Act, it is contrary to the spirit of the law. This act was created to ensure a fair vote, it was not created so that candidates could find creative ways to subvert the voting process.
Our laws are designed to protect our voters, their rights and the integrity of our democracy. This practice goes against everything that is important in an election.
Cody Cacciotti
Mayoral Candidate 2018
www.gettingontrack.ca
Learn more about Cacciotti's candidacy on his Sudbury.com election page.
