BLACK RIVER-MATHESON - More than half of the eligible voters in Matheson cast a ballot in the byelection.
The official numbers for the 2024 Matheson byelection are out, with 55 per cent of eligible voters (1,185 people) casting a ballot. That's an increase from the 2018 election, when there was a 39 per cent turnout (976 people).
In the byelection, eligible voters could vote by telephone and internet, while in 2018 voters participated by traditional ballots.
In the last election in 2022, all but one of the council positions were acclaimed. With people only voting for one ward councillor, the voter turnout was six per cent with 150 of the eligible 2,605 voters casting a ballot. It was the township's first time doing e-voting versus traditional ballots.
The township's 2014 election had the highest voter turnout with 61 per cent of eligible voters (1,591 people) casting a paper ballot.
"In January 2024, Elections Ontario took over the management of the voters list from MPAC, with each organization using different methods for data collections,: the township wrote in a release on Tuesday (Aug. 13).
"To ensure the accuracy of the voters list, the co-operation of electors is essential. The 17 per cent difference in the number of electors between 2022 and 2024 can be attributed to various factors."
Voter turnout is also influenced by the number of offices up for election, the township said. This year's byelection is the first time in 10 years where no office was acclaimed.
The method of voting also impacts voter turnout, according to the township.
"Statistics from other municipal elections indicate that voter participation increases when alternative voting methods, such as telephone and internet voting, are introduced due to their ease and convenience," the township wrote.
For the byelection, broken down by ward, Ward 3 had the highest voter turnout with 420 of the 1,185 voters on the list participated.
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In other wards: 118 people voted in Ward 1; 148 people cast a ballot in Ward 2; 143 people voted in Ward 4; 151 people voted in Ward 5, and 205 people cast a ballot in Ward 6.
Dave Dyment won the top seat at the municipal council table receiving 728 votes.
The councillors elected are:
- Ward 1 - Bree Allen
- Ward 2 - Dan Charbonneau
- Ward 3 - Steve Campsall
- Ward 4 - Scott McCutcheon
- Ward 5 - Louise Gadoury
- Ward 6 - Alain Bouchard
The new members of council will be sworn in on Aug. 27.
