“There is need for improvement with the municipal voters list, particularly with dual homeowners,” says Councillor Bud Halpin, a candidate for Vice-deputy Mayor in the 2026 Election, after all Councillors and Saugeen Times received concerns raised by a local resident and property owner.
According to the Town’s website, “First, you must ensure you are registered to vote which can be done directly with our Elections Team at 519-832-2008 Ext. 100 or
Email elections@saugeenshores.ca.
Once you have confirmed you are on the voters’ list here’s what you can expect:
- Receive your Voter Information Letter: This letter includes important information on how to vote by internet or telephone. This letter will be delivered October 7, 2026.
- Keep your voting PIN safe: Your Voter Information Letter will include a PIN
- Plan how and when you will vote: You will be able to vote by internet or telephone at any time throughout the election period.”
An overview of the Electors’ List: [as submitted by Councillor Halpin]
“The Preliminary List of Electors is now generated by Elections Ontario rather than MPAC, enacted by Provincial Bill 204 Helping Tenants and Small Businesses Act, 2020. The Town completed all legislated reviews and corrections available within the prescribed timeframe. Voter list accuracy challenges have occurred in previous elections under both systems, and the issues affecting some seasonal residents and non-resident property owners are being experienced by municipalities across Ontario.
As of January 1, 2024, responsibility for generating the Preliminary List of Electors (PLE) for Ontario municipal and school board elections shifted from MPAC to Elections Ontario. This was part of Bill 204 (Helping Tenants and Small Businesses Act, 2020), passed by the provincial government which amended the Municipal Elections Act, 1996. Elections Ontario is now the single authority responsible for building and maintaining the Permanent Register of Electors used for provincial, municipal, and school board elections.
Elections Ontario provided the Town’s Preliminary List of Electors on August 16, 2026. Under Section 22(1) of the Municipal Elections Act, the Clerk is authorized to correct obvious errors in the preliminary list before it is finalized. Between August 16 and September 1, 2026, the Town Elections Team conducted a detailed review of the list, including identifying duplicate records, correcting address issues, validating missing birthdates, and addressing other apparent inaccuracies using information available to the Town. Given the legislated timeline, the team had 11 business days to complete this review and dedicated significant effort to improving the accuracy of the list.
While the Act permits the Clerk to correct obvious errors, the Town’s authority to add or modify elector information is limited. In most cases, additions or substantive changes require an application from the elector and supporting documentation.
The Municipal Elections Act also establishes a formal revision process for electors. Under Section 24 of the Act, between September 1 and the close of voting on voting day, an individual may apply to the Clerk to have their name added to or removed from the voters’ list, or to amend their voter information. This legislated process recognizes that voter lists are not static documents and provides a mechanism for eligible electors to address omissions or inaccuracies that may exist in the Voters List.
It is also important to note that voter list accuracy challenges are not new to the 2026 election or the transition to Elections Ontario. Similar concerns existed when MPAC was responsible for producing the Preliminary List of Electors, including instances where eligible tenants and other electors did not appear on the list. While the source of voter data has changed, maintaining an accurate voters’ list has always required ongoing updates, revisions, and elector participation.
With respect to seasonal residents and non-resident property owners, Elections Ontario’s Permanent Register of Electors is primarily designed for provincial elections, where voter eligibility rules differ from those for municipal elections. As a result, some individuals who are eligible to vote may not appear on the Preliminary List of Electors and must be added through the revision process. This issue has been identified in municipalities across Ontario and is not unique to Saugeen Shores.
Recognizing these concerns, Council passed a resolution supporting the County of Peterborough’s request for provincial action regarding the accuracy of municipal voters’ lists on Monday, August 14, 2026. The resolution notes that several municipalities have experienced significant discrepancies in the number of eligible non-resident property owners appearing on elector lists when compared to the 2022 municipal election, and that Elections Ontario has acknowledged these discrepancies and is working to address them.
In addition to the legislated review period, the Town undertook significant public education and outreach efforts to encourage electors to confirm their voter registration information. Beginning in April 2026, staff promoted voter registration through the Town’s website, social media channels, candidate information sessions, media releases, and direct communications. Residents, seasonal residents, and non-resident property owners were encouraged to verify their information through Elections Ontario’s voter registration tools before the Preliminary List was delivered. Communications will continue throughout the revision period to raise awareness of the importance of checking voter information and updating records where necessary.
The Town is continuing to monitor registration numbers and feedback from electors and will continue working with voters to ensure all eligible electors are able to be added to the voters’ list through the prescribed revision process.
For context, Saugeen Shores had 13,883 eligible electors in the 2022 election. As of today, there are 16,296 eligible electors on the voters’ list. While some electors may need to be added or updated through the revision process, the Town cannot confirm assertions that a significant number of eligible voters have been omitted from the list.”
Voting in the 2026 Election will be either by Internet or Telephone.
Voting by internet allows you to vote from the comfort of your home anytime throughout the election period. Your Voting Information Letter will include a website to access via a web browser and the credentials necessary for authentication to securely cast your ballot. You will arrive at our secure voting site and need to authenticate yourself using your credentials.
Free internet access for voters is available at Bruce County Public Library locations. Voters who require internet access to obtain election information or complete election related activities can visit any Bruce County Public Library location during their regular operating hours.
Voting by telephone allows electors to vote without having access to the internet or modern technology, you simply need a phone with a touch-tone dial pad such as a landline or smart phone. Your Voting Information Letter will include a phone number to call and the credentials necessary for authentication to securely cast your ballot.
For more information on the Electoral system and voting, CLICK HERE.
