Voter Information

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Voting Day: Monday, October 19, 2020

Voting closes at 8 p.m. on Voting Day. Internet voting will be available starting from 10 a.m. on Wednesday, October 14, 2020 until 8 p.m. on Monday, October 19, 2020. See below for the most recent information on Internet Voting.

In this by-election, the Public English voters of Richmond Hill's Wards 1, 2 and 4 will elect one York Region District School Board Trustee.

The elected Trustee will begin when they are sworn in to their office and will serve the rest of the present term, ending on November 14, 2022.

How to Vote

On July 8, 2020, Richmond Hill Council passed By-law 100-20, authorizing the use of internet voting for the 2020 By-election.

All voting in this By-election will be done using an online platform. Voter Information Packages (VIPs) containing detailed instructions on how to cast your ballot online were delivered late September or early October. If you did not receive your VIP, please review the Voter Eligibility section below to verify that you are eligible to vote in this by-election. If you are eligible but did not receive a VIP, please follow the instructions in the Voter Registration section below.

Need help? See "Voter Assistance Helpline" below for help by phone or email, or "Voter Assistance Centres" below for in-person assistance during the voting period.

Internet Voting Process

In order to cast your ballot online, you will need to follow these steps:

Navigate to the URL address of the voting site included in your Voter Information Package (VIP)
Enter your login credentials, including the Voter ID and Voting PIN included in your VIP, and your date of birth
Complete the "captcha" confirmation on the login screen
Agree to the oath of qualification, declaring that you are qualified to vote in this election
Select the candidate for whom you wish to vote
On the review screen, confirm your vote by clicking "Cast Ballot" or return to the ballot screen to make changes

Voter Registration

You must be on the Voters' List in order to vote in this by-election. If you did not receive your Voter Information Package in the mail, you are either not registered to vote or your information needs to be updated. Before proceeding to register, please review the Voter Eligibility section below to ensure that you are eligible to vote in this by-election.

If you are not registered to vote before 6 p.m. on October 19, online voter registration will no longer be available and you will need to visit a Voter Assistance Centre in order to register and receive your Voter Information Package. You will also be able to cast your vote when you visit the Voter Assistance Centre. Please see the "Voter Assistance Centres" section below for hours and locations.

If you need any assistance with registration or have still not received your Voter Information Package, please contact the Voter Assistance Helpline at 905-771-5555 or by email at access@richmondhill.ca.

Voter Assistance Helpline

We're here to help. If you need assistance with internet voting, voter registration, or have general inquiries about the 2020 By-election, please contact the Voter Assistance Helpline at 905-771-5555 or by email at access@richmondhill.ca.

Hours of Operation

Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Extended hours on Voting Day, October 19, 2020: 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Voter Assistance Centres

Two Voter Assistance Centres will be set up for voters who are qualified to vote but do not have internet access or require assistance to vote.

If you haven't registered to vote, you can do so online from the Voter Registration page. If you are not registered to vote before 6 p.m. on October 19, online voter registration will no longer be available and you will need to visit a Voter Assistance Centre in order to register and receive your Voter Information Package. You will also be able to cast your vote when you visit the Voter Assistance Centre.

Locations of Voter Assistance Centres

Oak Ridges Community Centre

12895 Bayview Avenue
Richmond Hill, ON L4E 3G2

Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts

10268 Yonge Street

Richmond Hill, ON L4C 3B7

Hours of Operation (both Voter Assistance Centres)

October 14 to 16, 2020, 12 p.m. (noon) to 8 p.m.
October 17 to 18, 2020, 12 p.m. (noon) to 6 p.m.
October 19, 2020, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

COVID-19 Health and Safety Measures

To protect the community, voters, and election workers, COVID-19 protocols are in place for the York Region District School Board Trustee By-election Voter Assistance Centres.

The following is based on the most current information at the time of posting. Please be mindful that the COVID-19 pandemic is a fluid, constantly evolving situation. Voters are encouraged to consult this information before heading to a Voter Assistance Centre for any updates. If you are given different instructions by staff or through signage at the Voter Assistance Centre at the time of your visit, please be sure to follow those instructions.

Voters are required to self-screen for COVID-19 before being admitted to a Voter Assistance Centre. If you answer "yes" to any of these questions, DO NOT attend a Voter Assistance Centre:

Do you have any of the following new or worsening symptoms or signs? Symptoms should not be related to other known causes or conditions.
- Fever or chills
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Cough
- Sore throat, trouble swallowing
- Runny nose/stuffy nose or nasal congestion (not related to other known causes or conditions, e.g. seasonal allergies)
- Decrease or loss of smell or taste
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain
- Not feeling well, extreme tiredness, sore muscles
Have you travelled outside of Canada in the past 14 days?
Have you had close contact with a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19 without proper personal protective equipment?
Have you had close contact with someone who either is currently sick with a new cough, fever, difficulty breathing, or other symptoms associated with COVID-19, or who has returned from outside of Canada in the past 14 days?

If you answered "yes" to any of the above, please make alternative arrangements to cast your vote. If you have your Voter Information Package with your Voter ID and Voting PIN, you can vote from any computer or mobile device. If you require other assistance, contact the Voter Assistance Helpline at 905-771-5555 or by email at access@richmondhill.ca.

If you answered "no," please follow the health and safety measures upon arrival at a Voter Assistance Centres:

Face masks or coverings are required and must be worn properly at all times
Follow the signage at the Voter Assistance Centre to ensure proper flow of traffic
Use the physical distancing floor markers when lining up to enter the centre
Wait for the staff to admit you to the voting space - voters will be permitted to enter in small cohorts to ensure that physical distancing is maintained
All voters are required to use the provided hand sanitizer before and after voting. Staff will sanitize voting equipment and frequently touched surfaces between voters
Wherever possible, only voters should attend a Voter Assistance Centre. Please avoid coming to a Voter Assistance Centre with other family members (e.g. minor children) who are not voting themselves
If you need assistance at a Voter Assistance Centre from someone other than an Election Worker (e.g. someone to translate or because of a disability), they will be allowed to attend with you

Voter Eligibility

Who can Vote?

To be eligible to vote, you must meet the qualifications of electors as set out in section 17.(1) of the Municipal Elections Act. You can vote Richmond Hill's 2020 York Region District School Board Trustee (Wards 1, 2 and 4) By-elections if you are:

a Canadian citizen;
at least 18 years old on or before Voting Day (October 19, 2020);
not prohibited from voting under any law;
a resident of wards 1, 2 or 4 of Richmond Hill; and
an English Public school board support voter.

To confirm which ward you live in, check the maps below.

How many times can I Vote?

A qualified person can only vote once. This is regardless of how many properties a person owns/rents in Richmond Hill. If you live in Richmond Hill and own/rent more than one property, you must vote in the ward where you live.

What determines a "Residence"?

A person's residence is the permanent lodging place to which, whenever absent, he or she intends to return (Schedule s. 2.(1) and Rules s.2.(2)).

Voter Information Package

In order to vote in the 2020 School Board By-election, you will need key information from your Voter Information Package (VIP). These were delivered to registered voters in late September or early October. If you did not receive one, you are either not registered or you information needs to be updated.

You can use the Voter Registration Portal to check if you are on the Voters' List, register to vote, or update your information. Please be sure to include your email address when registering online so that you can receive your Voter Information Package. You should receive your Voter Information Package within about one business day. If you need any assistance with registration or have still not received your Voter Information Package, please contact the Voter Assistance Helpline at 905-771-5555 or by email at access@richmondhill.ca.

The key pieces of information you need from your VIP are the Internet Voting Website URL and your unique Voter ID and Voting PIN that you will need to access the ballot. Below is a sample of the VIP. This is a sample only - you will need to look at your own VIP for the information needed to vote.

2020 By-election VIP Sample

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I vote online?

Vote online from anywhere using a computer or mobile device starting from October 14 at 10 a.m. EDT until October 19, 2020 at 8 p.m. EDT. The web address for the online voting site is found in your Voter Information Package (VIP). You will need to log in to the voting system using your unique Voter ID, Voting PIN and your full date of birth.

If you did not receive your Voter Information Package (VIP), this means you are not on the School Board By-election Voters' List. You must be on the Voters’ List in order to vote.

Do not share the web address for the voting site, your Voter ID, Voting PIN or birthdate with anyone!

How does the City of Richmond Hill know I am qualified to vote?

Every person accessing the online voting system is required to accept the Oath of Qualification, the Notice of Offence and Corrupt Practice. By accepting these, a voter is declaring that they are eligible to vote in this By-election. The onus is always on a person only to vote when qualified to do so.

The Online Voting PIN is assigned only to you, and may only be used by you, the voter identified in the Voter Information Package (VIP). It is against the law to vote more than once in the same election or to vote without being qualified to do so.

How can I register to vote?

There are three options for voter registration:

Use the Voter Registration Portal at RichmondHill.ca/RHVotes, available now until 6 p.m. EDT on Voting Day (October 19)
In person at either of the two Voter Assistance Centres
Call the Voter Assistance Helpline at 905-771-5555 or by email at access@richmondhill.ca

Where can I vote if I need assistance?

Any voter who does not have access to the internet or who needs extra help using the online voting system can come to one of the City’s two Voter Assistance Centres. Voters should bring their Voter Information Package (VIP) with them.

Any voter who needs to be added to the Voters’ List after 6 p.m. on Voting Day (October 19) must come to a Voter Assistance Centre to obtain a Voter Information Package.

The Voter Assistance Centres are located at:

Oak Ridges Community Centre and Pool - 12895 Bayview Ave, Richmond Hill, ON L4E 3G2.
Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts – 10268 Yonge St., Richmond Hill, ON L4C 3B7

The Voter Assistance Centres will be open:

October 14 – 16 - Noon to 8 p.m.
October 17 & 18 - Noon to 6 p.m.
October 19 - 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

I received a Voter Information Package addressed to a previous owner/tenant. What should I do?

If you receive a Voter Information Package (VIP) that is not yours, you can:

Mark the envelope "Return to Sender" and place in a Canada Post mailbox

Drop it off at either Voter Assistance Centre during the Continuous Voting Days (October 14-19) or
Notify the Voter Assistance Helpline at 905-771-5555

Why am I having trouble accessing the voting web address?

If you are experiencing issues accessing the internet voting website please make sure you are entering the web address into your browser address bar (not in the search engine).

The voting web address is found on your VIP and should not be shared with anyone.

If you are still having trouble, please contact the Voter Assistance Helpline at 905-771-5555.

Is online voting safe and secure?

Online voting is a safe and secure way to vote that has been used in many Ontario Municipal Elections since at least 2003. The City of Richmond Hill conducted testing of the online voting system prior to the By-election, ensuring that the voting process is safe and secure and that it maintains the secrecy of the ballot. In addition, during the Voting Days (October 14-19) audits will be performed regularly and randomly to detect any unusual activity. These audits will not reveal how anyone has voted!

What internet browser do I need to vote online?

In order to access the online voting system, you can use following web browsers:

Chrome (version 66.0.3359 or newer)
FireFox (version 60 or newer)
Edge (version 81 or newer)
Opera (version 53 or newer)
Safari (version 12.1 or newer)

What devices can I use to vote online?

You can vote online from a computer or a common mobile device on the Android or iOS (iPhone/iPad) platform that is connected to the internet. Note: Blackberry devices using the approved browsers are supported.

I was asked to share my Voting PIN. What should I do?

Never share your Voter ID, online Voting PIN with anyone! It is unique to you. Municipal staff, candidates or their representatives and law enforcement officials should never ask you for it, and you should only ever provide it to an Election Official if you are asking for their assistance with voting.

If a candidate asks you to share your online Voting PIN, please contact the Voter Help Line immediately!

How long will it take to vote online?

Voting online for the By-election will likely take less than five minutes to complete.

What do I do if my online voting session times out?

Once you login to the online voting system, you have 20 minutes to cast your online ballot. If your session times out, your ballot has not been cast, and you will need to restart the voting process from the beginning. You can log in to the system any time before voting closes at 8 p.m. EDT on October 19, 2020. No votes will be submitted until you complete the entire ballot and click, “Cast Ballot.” You will have a maximum of 20 minutes after 7:59 p.m. EDT to click Cast Ballot to vote in this By-election.

If I log into the system but I don't want to cast my ballot yet, can I exit and enter the system later?

Yes, as long as you have not clicked “Cast Ballot.” If you exit your online voting session before you cast your ballot, you can log in again before 8 p.m. EDT on October 19, 2020 and restart the voting process from the beginning.

What happens after I press "Cast Ballot?"

A message will appear that says “VOTING COMPLETED” indicating that the ballot has been successfully cast. Your name will be marked as having voted on the Voters’ List and you will not be able to re-access the voting system.

When a Voter presses “Cast Ballot” the online voting system encrypts your vote and stores it until the votes are tabulated after the close of voting.

Once my online ballot has been cast, can it be changed?

No. Once a ballot has been cast it cannot be changed. Think of it as being the same as a paper ballot being dropped into a ballot box.

Can a voter's credentials be used to vote more than once?

No. Once a voter has confirmed their final ballot selection and clicked “Cast Ballot,” their voter credentials are no longer valid.

What do I do if I'm not sure I have submitted my ballot online?

If you are unsure if you cast your online ballot, try to log in to the online voting system again. If your ballot has been cast the system will not allow you to log in and will show the following message: “Our records say you have already voted." If your ballot has not been cast, you will be prompted to proceed with voting.

What do I do if I log into the online voting system and it says that I have already voted?

If you have not already voted, contact the Voter Assistance Helpline immediately at 905-771-5555.

Can anyone tell how I voted if they have my Voting PIN?

No. The system is not able to track how a Voter has voted.

Can I take a selfie my ballot?

Taking a picture of a completed ballot - yours or anyone else’s - is a violation of Section 49(3) of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, because it violates the secrecy of the vote. It is also a violation of the Act to publish a photo of a completed ballot on your social media channels or elsewhere.

What are the penalties for voter fraud?

Each eligible voter can only vote once in the 2020 YRDSB By-election, regardless of how many properties they own – it’s the law. If convicted of voter fraud, you may face:

A fine up to $25,000
Jail time up to 6 months

Voter's Checklist

Things to do before Voting Day:

Understand the voting requirements and procedures

Know what time the vote opens and closes

Do your research - become acquainted with the candidates

About School Board Trustees

Want to know more about what your School Board Trustees do for you and your community? More detail about the role and responsibilities of School Board Trustees can be found on York Region District School Board's website.

Please note that the City of Richmond Hill is responsible only for the election process of School Board Trustees and our staff is not able to provide detailed information about the role. Inquiries can be directed to the York Region District School Board staff or sitting Trustees.

Important Dates

Nomination Period Opens	Monday, July 20, 2020, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (EDT)
Nomination Period Closes	Friday, September 4, 2020, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. (EDT)
Continuous Voting	Beginning Wednesday, October 14, 2020, 10 a.m. (EDT) Ending Monday, October 19, 2020, 8 p.m. (EDT)
Voting Day	Monday, October 19, 2020, until 8 p.m. (EDT)
New Term Begins	November 2020

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Other Resources

Many resources that might be of interest are available on the Elections Resources page. Please see below for a selection of the most commonly requested resources.

Previous Election Results

Third-Party Advertising

Accessibility and the Elections

Note: This page is dedicated to Richmond Hill's October 2020 York Region District School Board Trustee (Wards 1, 2 and 4) By-election. This information does not pertain to current or pending Federal and/or Provincial elections or any other election.

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