One Person, One Vote - It's the Law

Know the Rules and Your Responsibilities as a Voter 

RICHMOND HILL – Richmond Hill takes its responsibility to run fair and secure democratic elections seriously and has processes in place to do so. The 2022 Municipal Elections will offer a choice of voting online or in person.

Voting online is a fast, convenient and secure way to vote. It has been previously used successfully by many municipalities, including Richmond Hill for the 2022 By-election for Mayor and the 2020 York Region District School Board Trustee By-election for Wards 1, 2 and 4. Voting in person is also convenient and secure, with a choice to vote in any one of the 12 Vote Centres.

Voter eligibility

To be eligible to vote in the Municipal Elections you must be:

• A Canadian citizen;
• At least 18 years of age on or before Voting Day (October 24, 2022);
• A resident, owner or tenant of land in the City of Richmond Hill, or the spouse of such tenant or owner; and
• Not otherwise prohibited by law from voting.

Note: only residents are eligible to vote for a School Trustee.

Whether eligible voters choose to vote online or in person, the following important information applies:

Only open your own Voter Information Package (VIP)

Voter Information Packages (VIP) will be sent by early October to individuals on the Voters’ List. The Voters’ List is created from a Preliminary List of Electors provided to the City by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC), which municipalities are required to use.

It is a Criminal Code offence to tamper with mail, which includes opening a VIP other than your own. If your household receives a VIP for a former resident who is no longer an eligible voter, such as a family member who moved, do not open or forward it. Mark the envelope “Return to Sender” and drop it in a mailbox.

Keep your information secure

Eligible voters should not share their VIP, Voter ID or Voting PIN with anyone, including any candidates or City staff. Candidates and candidate’s volunteers are not permitted to assist a voter in using the Internet Voting System.

In addition to the information in the VIP, additional steps are required to validate your identity when voting online. Voters will also be required to make a legal Declaration of Qualification confirming their eligibility, similar to in-person voting. It is illegal to vote when you are not eligible to do so.

It is illegal to vote more than once

Under law, eligible voters can only vote once in the Municipal Elections regardless of how many properties they own or rent. The internet voting system used by the City can flag irregular voting occurrences for further investigation. The City will pursue individuals who commit voter fraud. Anyone with evidence of voter fraud should contact York Regional Police. On conviction, any individual found to have voted more than once can face a fine of up to $25,000 and imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months.

Requests to be added to the Voters’ List require identification

If you do not receive a VIP by mid-October, please submit a request to be added to the Voters’ List at RichmondHill.ca/RHVotes (click on “Am I On The Voters’ List?”). Applications to be added to the Voters’ List must include identification that shows both name and address.

All requests are reviewed by an Election Official to determine if a VIP should be issued. Election staff have the authority to decline any application to amend the Voters’ List if they are not satisfied that the person making the application is permitted to do so, or if they are not satisfied that the person is an eligible voter.

Anyone submitting false information, on conviction, can face a fine of up to $25,000 and imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months.

Need Help?

For more information about the Municipal Elections, visit RichmondHill.ca/RHVotes.

For voter assistance, email elections@richmondhill.ca or call 905-771-5555. Staff are available during regular business hours, and October 22 and 23 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. or October 24 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

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