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ContextConsultation Report – Ballot Redesign Options for the Mississauga–Lakeshore By-Election

Background

There is a coordinated effort under way to create the largest number of candidates ever running in a single riding in a Canadian election. The effort is taking place in the by-election in Mississauga–Lakeshore. The unusually large number poses serious logistical challenges and will likely add barriers to electoral participation for electors who are disabled, voting for the first time or with a low literacy level.

Elections Canada began preparing to produce an unusually long ballot before the by-election began. The number of candidates, however, is now exceeding the number expected, and it is likely that we will need to redesign the ballot.

Consultation Services and Stakeholder Mobilization at Elections Canada consulted the agency's key external stakeholders to support the decision-making process. The goal was to help inform the various considerations for each option of the ballot redesign with direct input from these stakeholders.

Individuals and groups consulted

From November 15 to 16, 2022, we consulted the following stakeholders on the ballot redesign to accommodate the large number of candidates in the Mississauga–Lakeshore by-election:

  • ABC Life Literacy
  • Brain Injury Canada
  • Canadian Alliance of Student Associations
  • Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB);
  • Special Olympics Canada and Special Olympics Ontario
  • Several members of Elections Canada's Advisory Group for Disability Issues (AGDI)