Huntsville Council supported new recommendations to an outdated Municipal Election Act
Huntsville Council supported a recommendation to update the Municipal Election Act (MEA), in the September 23, 2024, meeting.
Staff said the Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks, and Treasurers of Ontario (AMCTO) are working on recommendations to the MEA, “which is very, very old and outdated.”
According to the agenda, the MEA will be 30 years old by the 2026 municipal elections and needs work.
It indicates, “With rules across three pieces of legislation, and the MEA entering a patchwork of clauses, there are interpretation challenges, inconsistencies and gaps to fill.”
It adds, “The Act can pose difficulties for voters, candidates, contributors and third-party advertisers to read, to interpret, to comply with and for election administrators to enforce.”
It continues that the AMCTO recommend an Act that reflects a modern framework that can address current needs and ongoing challenges moving forward.
The agenda indicates that the Act reflect “the ever-changing landscape which impacts elections administration, including privacy, the threats of foreign interference, increased spread of mis/discrimination and the increased use of technologies like artificial intelligence and use of digital entities.”
It adds that AMCTO recommendations include “modernizing legislation, harmonizing rules, and streamlining and simplifying administration.”
It continues that the recommendations be made with consideration to the amendments prior to the elections in 2026 and with ongoing considerations for 2030.
The Town supported the AMCTO by requesting the province update the MEA with priority to amendments prior to summer 2025, and to review and rewrite it with the further recommendations prior to the 2030 elections.
Mayor, Nancy Alcock, said, “It’s really important, no question about it.”
