Letter to the Editor: Ensure you are on the voters’ list says reader

I have been on the voters list in Saugeen Shores for over 20 years. I own two properties, one in Saugeen and one in Port Elgin. I am a multi season resident but have a prime residence outside the area.

I assumed that I would continue to be on the voters list but when I had two candidates check, I found I was not. It turns out, I am not the only one. It is my understanding that there should be a permanent voters list and once you are on it, you only need to update it if, your information changes or the property ownership changes.

I spoke with the clerk at the Town of Saugeen Shores today. She kindly explained that they got their initial list from the province, from the data base that is used for the provincial elections. The provincial elections only allow you to vote in one place, which is not the case in Municipal elections. As a result, most seasonal residents who vote elsewhere are not on the Saugeen Shores voters list.

This is unacceptable. Once the town became aware of this issue, they should have made every effort to correct the problem. They have the tax payers list and the list of voters from the last election. It is up to them to correct the mistake. Every seasonal resident shouldn’t have to go to the municipal office to be added. Since many don’t live locally, it is difficult to get there during the week especially at this time of year. They shouldn’t even have to phone. They should be on the list. They are tax payers.

I also wonder about local residents who own property in one ward and live in a different ward. They are eligible to vote for councillors in both wards. Have they also been removed from the voters list in one ward?

Although the town advertised to check the voters list, did they truly expect all citizens to call in especially when they had always been on the list. Never did they highlight that many people had been removed from the voters list. Is it a coincidence that many of the seasonal residents do not support some of the current council members?

It is the town’s responsibility to correct this problem not the individual citizens.

Please advise me when you have corrected the problem for all voters and my name once again appears of the voters list.