At Large or Ward Systems?
The Township of Lanark Highlands currently elects councillors in wards.
On March 9th, 2021 the Township of Lanark Highlands’ Council received a petition under Section 223 of the Municipal Act from at least 1% of the electorate to dissolve the Ward System in the Township.
Council has 90 days to render a decision from the date of receipt of the petition. As a result, Council directed staff to undertake an informal survey of the electorate to receive feedback on whether the Ward System or the At-Large system is preferred.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ND63B95
Paper copies of the survey will be available at the following locations:
- Lanark Highlands Municipal Office, 75 George St, Lanark, ON (call in advance)
- 613-259-2398
- Pretty Goods Convenience Store, 68 George St, Lanark, ON
- B & T Hopetown Store, 5531 HWY 511, Lanark, ON
- Gemmill’s Store, 2862 Tatlock Rd, Clayton, ON
- White Lake General Store, 6 Burnstown Rd, White Lake, ON
Deadline to complete the survey
4:00p.m on Wednesday, May 26th, 2021
“Ward System” - the electorate votes for the Reeve, Deputy Reeve and their own Ward Council member.
Below are some pros and cons of both systems to aid you in your decision;
| Ward System | |
|---|---|
| Pros | Cons |
| Represents an easily accessible and identifiable member for the residents to go to with a challenge. | A councillor could be elected based on issues that only permeate with a specific region of the municipality and not that of the whole. |
| Electors are able to focus on fewer individuals at election time in determining who to cast their vote for. | Ward boundaries sometimes are perceived as divisive. |
| A new candidate or lesser known candidate would have an easier time participating due to cost and notoriety or lack thereof. | Creates a restricted list of options or candidates for consideration. |
| More accessible as it would be more cost effective and provides greater opportunities for anyone to run. | Greater likelihood of acclamations. |
| Provides for a local representiative to represent the local issues. | Could discourage new candidates based on a local candidate with more notoriety or history. |
| Provides a geographical representation which eliminates the stacking of the makeup of Council by a specific area. | |
“At-Large System” - the electorate votes for each Council member as they would the Reeve and Deputy Reeve.
| At Large System | |
|---|---|
| Pros | Cons |
| Each voter has the opportunity to cast a vote for each candidate in the election. | Could be restrictive to those who wish to run for Council by creating an abundance of cost over the ward system. |
| Each candidate or elected member will have to satisfy the entire electorate with their policy views for the entire municipality. | Could be restrictive to those who have transportation challenges or who may not be as recognizable in other areas of the municipality, but may serve very well in their ward. |
| The best candidates running for a position on Council would have the best chances of being elected. | There would be no designated member for a particular ward. No specific voice for the area representing acute concerns or issues. |
| Acclamation is not as prevalent. Electors may choose to vote for who they feel is the best candidate and not necessarily who is running in their ward. | Could result in specific interests being represented. Example; an urban area may turnout a disproportionate number of candidates and could result in a favoured area of the geographic municipality. Candidates who appeal to where voter turnout is highest tend to be elected disproportionately. |
