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Returning Officers Post-Mortem Sessions 41st General Election

7 – Voting Services

7.1 – Advance polls

A high voter turnout was a reality for most ROs, significant enough that there were many complaints about wait times. To improve the flow when it is busy, ROs suggest putting a single signature line on the list of electors instead of having the electors write too much information. Or better yet, abolish it altogether, and omit signatures. They also suggest being able to split polls to reduce line-ups and speed up the voting process; and having a laptop at the polls so that you can split the lists as needed.

Most ROs followed the recommendations for additional staff at advance polls, and it was of use; the extra poll clerk helped, and having a CPS in each advance poll was great; it was easy to get staff. But the process at the advance polls is too long and time consuming, resulting in a lot of complaints.

7.2 – Opening and Closing of the polls

The overall opening of the polls went well, and it was mentioned that the orientation material with pictures was very useful. Some ROs mentioned that the closing documents are good, but in terms of the process, it is too complicated and too late; there is too much paperwork. ROs recommend simplifying the process: reducing the number of envelopes and questionnaires; using colour coded envelopes would be helpful.

It was also said that the quality of work at closing is poor: ROs suggest looking at the results and material and then get together to find processes that can be put in place to improve the quality of work. Counting of the votes should start sooner than 9:30 p.m. and they ask to review the closing procedures and to eliminate unnecessary steps. The consistency of the message on the poster for closing procedures with the instructions given needs work.

7.3 – Geography products

ROs mentioned that almost all GEO products are necessary and useful, and that there is still a need for them. The poll key was much more accurate this time, the overview maps were good and the maps in general are more accurate. Some ROs mention that they did not use this tool, because it was difficult to find streets; certain streets were not properly classified in the poll key. Also, they mention that it is frustrating when changes made are not reflected on the maps. They suggest adding one more box for street direction NW, NE. Also, there is a need for more details on the map: make polling division boundaries and the roads more visible, add the town names, Hutterite communities and Indian reserves, for example. Finally, maps for urban areas should identify polling divisions with advance polls. Since many cell maps are not used, ROs suggest getting rid of some, and make this a pre-event task to give the opportunity to update and choose maps. It was mentioned that along with the GEO products, other mapping sites were used, the most popular one was Google maps.